Fired From the Dead

By dawn, North Point Ferry looked like a crime scene because it was one.

Martin sat in a county transport with a deputy on each side. This time Roslyn rode behind the transport herself. Greer stayed in custody at the museum. Mara stayed in the vault wing under guard. Dane Lott asked for a deal after hearing Martin had failed.

People Elise had spent days chasing were finally in rooms with locks.

She did not trust it.

June sat on the ferry office steps wrapped in Claire's coat. Ruby sat one step below her. Claire sat one step above. They looked like a family arranged by a storm and not yet sure which house was theirs.

Elise stood apart with Theo.

"You need a hospital," he said.

"You need a job."

"My need can wait."

"Mine can too."

He gave her a look. "You were hit by a car, dragged through a fire week, and jumped onto a boat."

"Not a full boat. It was close to the dock."

"I am falling for an idiot."

The words came out before he could catch them.

Elise stared at him.

Theo looked toward the lake as if it might offer employment elsewhere.

"Bad timing," he said.

"Terrible."

"Pretend I said something practical."

"I am too tired to pretend."

For one second, they stood inside a feeling that did not ask for signatures, testimony, or blood.

Then Elise's restored phone rang.

Meridian Mutual. She answered because old habits were hard to kill.

Her director spoke quickly. "Elise, corporate reviewed the public filings. We need you to return tomorrow for an internal debrief."

"I was declared dead through your claim feed."

"Yes, and that is why we need your cooperation."

"No," Elise said.

Silence.

She looked at Vivian's ferry office, the cassette bag, June between two mothers, and Theo trying not to watch her choose.

"Send your questions to Detective Meyers," Elise said. "I work for the victims now."

She hung up.