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sheriff checked his coroner’s notes. “Looks like his morning cup of coffee was tainted with rat poison. These people seem to have various ways of getting their point across.”
    Amos nodded. “Keep me informed on how the investigation is going here, and I’ll do the same.”
    After leaving the sheriff’s office, Amos walked to the little airfield. “When is the next flight to Juneau?”
    The field manager checked his list. “There’s a plane going out at ten in the morning.”
    “Good. I’ll be here. Is there a place nearby where I can stay?”
    The man made a motion toward an old wooden structure south of the field. “That’s where a lot of the pilots spend the night.”
    Amos’s lip curled as he came up on the rickety porch that protested when he trod on the boards. His room reeked of old sweat and cigars. He couldn’t wait to get out of there in the morning.
    After a tough two-day flight, the familiar sight of Mt. Juneau came comfortably into view. The snow on the top glowed pink with the late afternoon sun. Home. Amos couldn’t wait to have a decent dinner at Millie’s and crawl into his own bed.
    God, it’s good to be back in Juneau! I tend to forget how primitive other parts of the territory can be. Millie’s was a welcome warm glow to the soul as he strolled in from the gray blanket of sea fog slowly clutching the city in its damp grip. Millie looked up and grinned. “Welcome home, Sheriff!”
    “What’s good tonight?”
    She pulled her pencil from behind her ear. “The chicken is very good. Can I get you some with mashed potatoes and peas?”
    “Plenty of gravy on those potatoes, Millie.”
    “Yes, I know.” She hurried to the kitchen.
    When she served his dinner, he stopped her. “Anything going on in town?”
    “Nothing big.” She pursed her lips. “But I did hear there was a bit of a disagreement at the ANB social Saturday. It concerned Sarah.”
    Amos was instantly alert. “What happened?”
    “Well, I happened to hear about Jack Harper talking to Sarah. Seems he and Bobby Cusnoo were discussing the problems with the fish traps while they were taking a breath outside, and Sarah showed up. Bobby asked her to tell how the investigation was going. She refused, and he shoved past her. Jack apologized for Bobby’s rudeness.”
    Anger started to bubble, and Amos ground his teeth. “Thanks for letting me know, Millie.”
    She patted his shoulder. “Relax, Sarah is fine. Enjoy your meal.” She started on her rounds of the tables.
    For some reason, Amos’ mind was finding ways of dismembering Bobby Cusnoo. Then his brain hit a slot. Why was Bobby so interested in the investigation? Is he involved somehow? Amos was sure Sarah must have thought of that, too.
    Amos finished his meal and had started toward his apartment over the drugstore when he had a fleeting thought of visiting Sarah. No. That can wait until tomorrow. When he came to the stairwell door between the two retail stores on the street level, Amos took the steps two at a time to his apartment, where he pulled out the folder of the information on the murder, spread it out on his bed, and pored over it until exhaustion dealt him senseless.
    Amos greeted Sam the next morning as he arrived early. “Have Lakat come in as soon as she gets here. Any news about Personals from anywhere else?”
    “No, sir. Did your trip go well?”
    Amos nodded. “At least we know it’s the same person writing the notes.” He went into his office and stirred the embers in the potbellied stove, adding some kindling. When the branches caught, he put some stove wood in and gingerly closed the iron door, adjusting the damper. After he fetched water from the back, he started the coffee.
    As the smell of the fresh brew wafted out, there was a knock and a call at his office door. “It’s Sarah!”
    “Come in, Lakat!” His breath caught for a moment. Amos was happier to see her than he let on. He wanted to embrace her, but he caught himself up short.