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“Recognize this number?” He held it up so they could read it. The name Lauri was followed by a phone number.
    “That’s Lauri’s cell phone number,” Kade admitted.
    Bree glanced at him, her green eyes wide. “But that doesn’t mean anything. She’s already told us she was supposed to pick him up. Maybe he wrote down the number because he didn’t know it. That corroborates her insistence he was just a friend. A boyfriend would know her number by heart.”
    Kade thanked her with his smile, though he could tell by Mason’s expression he wasn’t swayed. “You wouldn’t think it would be on the bottom of the pack.”
    “It wasn’t.” Kade flipped the bag around so it was facing the right direction. “We cut it open on the bottom.”
    So Lauri’s name and number were at the top of the satchel, within easy reach for Garrick to call for a pickup. He’d never had the chance.
    Kade studied the items on Mason’s desk again. “Anything in on the parachuting accident?”
    Mason raised a brow. “We’re investigating the possibility that someone tampered with the parachute.”
    “You mean—murder?” Bree exhaled and shook her head. “I’d rather believe it was a terrible accident.”
    “We won’t know for a few more days. I’ve called in the state boys to help. The college wants this handled as quickly as possible too.”
    Bree glanced up at Kade, and he read the question in her eyes. “How about we check out the college? Ask around and see who his friends were, then the state police can question them.” Including Lauri.
    “I wouldn’t turn down the help, not with the winter festival coming. I’ve got two deputies out this week with the flu too. But keep a low profile. State may not like me allowing you to poke around.”
    “Not a problem,” Kade said. “It’s early yet. We could be there by two.”
    At Kade’s tone, Samson leaped to his feet and padded toward the door.
    Mason scribbled a few lines on a piece of paper and thrust it into Kade’s hands. “Call me if you run into trouble.”

Five
    P aulie, Kade’s pet cardinal, called to them when they exited the sheriff’s office. Bree was almost too preoccupied to notice Kade pause to dig in his pocket and toss seeds to the bird. The bright-red bird hopped along the snow and scooped up the offering.
    Kade opened the truck door for her, and she slid in, relaxing in the familiar scents of his vehicle. Mint gum mixed with the scent of spicy cologne and the smell of the metal cages behind the seat. If she looked, she knew she’d see snowshoes and snacks back there too. Her husband practically lived in his truck as he patrolled the Ottawa forest for the National Park Service.
    Kade got in and turned the key. His jawline was tight and grim. “I should be able to trust Lauri, but she’s proven her poor judgment more than once.”
    “Let’s not jump to conclusions. There may be an innocent explanation.” Bree leaned back as the truck rolled out of town.
    Her cell phone rang, and she smiled at the music. “Always on My Mind” by Elvis was her ring tone for her sister who lived in Washington state. Cassie was working at a cranberry farm, helping them grow bigger and better fruit.
    Bree answered the phone. “Hey, sis. What’s up?”
    “I was missing my big sister and guess what? I have time off for Christmas. Can I crash on your couch?”
    “Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen you in forever! How long can you stay?” They’d spent all their childhood apart, and Bree had longed to make up for lost time. Cassie was a busy professional, though, and they’d only been together a handful of times in the past two years.
    She glanced at Kade. He grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. She chatted with her sister a few minutes, then put her cell phone away. “Cassie will be here for Christmas!”
    “When’s she coming?”
    Bree couldn’t stop smiling. “Christmas Eve. She can stay until after the first.”
    “We might need to ask Martha for a room.