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out?”
    Darby gave a quick nod. “For a few days.” She felt her face color at the very thought of the handsome Miles Porter, an investigative journalist who ’ d become more than just a friend. “I’m also going to do some work while I’m here. Paint a room, replace some furniture, that kind of thing.”
    “You thinking of coming back here to live?”
    “No. I’m going to rent the house seasonally. That way I can reserve myself a week or two in the summer.”
    “Smart idea, but then you always had your thinking cap on, Darby Farr.” He slid a file folder across the table. “Speaking of houses, I brought along some information on mine for you and Tina. I’m still cleaning it out, so I don’t want her to worry about it until after the wedding. Those two taking a trip anywhere?”
    “Not that I know of,” said Darby. “Tina’s focused on the business, but I’m trying to encourage her to live a little, too.”
    The Chief nodded. “I hear you on that one.” His tone seemed to indicate there was more to the simple statement than he was letting on. He lifted his eyes, gave her a direct look. “Darby, in addition to getting my house listed, I need a favor.”
    “I’m happy to help if I can.”
    “That’s nice of you to say, especially when you don’t know what I’m going to ask.” He paused. “It has to do with Lorraine Delvecchio’s death.”
    Darby’s senses sharpened. “Yes?”
    “I don’t know if you knew her habits, but Lorraine was a devoted walker, and I mean devoted. Every day on her lunch hour, she drove over to the Manatuck Breakwater and walked to the end and back. I’m talking every single day, rain or shine, whether she felt terrific or lousy. She did it when she worked for me, and she did it when she transferred to the Manatuck department. Heck, I bet she even did it when she worked for old Dr. Hotchkiss.”
    “And I take it she had walked the Breakwater yesterday, as well?”
    “Her Subaru was found in the lot, and her colleagues at the station confirmed she’d stuck to her routine. Incidentally, at least a few of them think she was nuts.”
    “Did you?”
    “What, think Lorraine was nuts?” He shook his head. “No. She was obsessive, but not crazy. She had her reasons for doing that daily walk.” He looked around the kitchen as if thinking about his words. “I’m finding it hard to believe that she walked those rocks for the last time yesterday. Even though I have told so many people throughout my career that their friends and loved ones were dead, when it happens to you, it’s different, you know?”
    Darby nodded. She saw him glance to the side, obviously troubled by his former employee’s demise.
    He shifted in his chair. “The Manatuck police are saying that Lorraine slipped on the icy rocks at the end of the Breakwater and drowned. Her body sank, and then drifted with the outgoing tide, snagging on one of Carlene Ross’s trap lines.” He bit the inside of his cheek. “That’s what they’re saying.”
    “Were the injuries on her body consistent with their theory?”
    He shrugged. “I guess so. I can’t go muscling in there to take a look myself, but the state medical examiner will inspect the body, probably later on today.”
    “But you aren’t happy with what the Manatuck police have concluded.”
    He raised his eyes and met Darby’s face. “No, I’m not satisfied at all. I knew that woman and I know there is no chance in hell that she slipped. We’re talking about someone who did this every stinking day, in weather way worse than this. She wore the right kind of clothes, heavy boots with good soles. She didn’t slip, Darby. I know that. It’s ridiculous to even suggest it.”
    “Could she have jumped?”
    He shook his head. “Not Lorraine. She was not suicidal, not in the least.”
    Darby made her voice gentle. “Things could have changed since she worked for you, Chief. Even in just a month. Perhaps she wasn’t the same person that you knew