Looking for Sophie. Roz Fox Denny

didn’t object to his motorcycle. There was a time she’d loved riding on his bike. She’d thought Dale’s pirate looks added to his charm. Under the tough veneer was a soft-spoken gentleman, until suddenly he seemed to do a one-eighty turn. Certainly he’d been upset over losing his job; he hated not being the family provider. Add that to her friends’ attitude. Looking back, she accepted that the divorce had been partly her fault. Still, the last thing Garnet expected from the man she’d loved, shared her innermost feelings—and a child—with, was that he’d deal her the most hurtful blow a mother could ever experience.

      She realized she was still clutching the phone. She dialed Sergeant Savage from memory. A dispatcher answered. “This is Garnet Patton. Could I speak to Gary Savage please?”

      There was a brief pause before Sergeant Savage came on.

      Garnet plunged straight into the reason for her call. When she’d finished, the silence went on so long she thought the connection had broken. As she was about to hang up and redial, Savage cleared his throat. “Sorry, Garnet, you took me by surprise. We haven’t hired any new officers, nor have we had any new tips on Dale. I know school’s nearly out. May I suggest using your break to get out of Anchorage? Leave a number where I can reach you and I’ll be in touch if anything comes up. I’ll reiterate what I said before. I have the necessary controls in place. I believe we’ll find Sophie. Dale will get careless, or he’ll be arrested for something else and his prints will crop up in a database. Just be patient, my dear.”

      Garnet impatiently waited for Sergeant Savage to finish his spiel. “If this guy isn’t from your department, who is he? My students think he’s a reporter. Other people say he has cop written all over him.”

      “We’ve talked about how there’ll be people coming out of the woodwork in cases like yours. Some have a mean streak, and some believe they’ll be able to do what cops haven’t. Then there are psychics who set out to either test their so-called powers or wait in the wings until the victims get desperate enough to hire them. Tell you what, Garnet, I’ll put out feelers around town. But I’m betting this joker falls into one of those categories. Can you give me a description?”

      She offered one to the best of her memory, and heard the scratch of Gary’s pen.

      “Be careful, Garnet. A few of these jerks are pure nuts. Rest assured, if anything new turns up I’ll let you know. If you set eyes on this imposter again, phone dispatch. I’ll leave a standing order to bring him in.”

      Garnet hung up, more discouraged than ever. She knew there were people who preyed on the misfortunes of others. The fact remained—there’d been nothing alarming about the man she’d glimpsed at school. Anna Winkleman used the word charming to describe him. And Jenny…but Jenny had different criteria.

      It might be a mistake, but Garnet decided if she saw the stranger again she’d have a word with him before phoning dispatch.

      Her nerves had frayed and she found it difficult to concentrate on doing the math necessary to average final grades. Maybe a walk would clear her head. She shrugged into a sweater coat to block the chill in the air, and left her apartment.

      John Carlyle stepped into the hallway as Garnet pocketed her key. “Hello, Garnet. Going out? I’m taking Hoover for his nightly walk.”

      The rotund little terrier was so named because he inhaled any scrap of food that landed on the floor. Hoover loved people and had a particular fondness for Garnet, who gave him nutritious doggie treats. She felt in her pocket and came up with a couple of small lint-covered dog biscuits. “Mind if I tag along?” she asked.

      “We’d be pleased. Mr. Hoover thanks you for his treats. Is something wrong with your car? You don’t usually go walking.”

      After rubbing the wriggling animal’s backside, Garnet straightened and led the way to the stairs. “Sophie used to love going on walks, John. I tend to avoid the activities we did together.”

      “Understandable.”

      She heaved a sigh. “Not everyone agrees. I just spoke with the officer heading up my case. He’s adamant about me getting on with my life.” She stepped aside at the main door and let the courtly old gentleman open the door for her.

      “Oh. So that bright young fellow I met today—the new cop on your case—he didn’t find anything new?”

      Garnet stopped. “You saw him? I thought Anna Winkleman and Hazel Webber were the only ones home when he came by. Anna said you’d taken Hoover to the park. John, what did that man say? Did he give his name? You see, Sergeant Savage said there was no new cop on my case.”

      “Really?” Tugging back on Hoover’s leash, Mr. Carlyle stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I’m sure he told me his name. His badge certainly looked legit.” The old man’s face fell. “My hearing’s not what it used to be, Garnet. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch everything he said. His name was…Irish, maybe? Should I not have talked to him?”

      She walked on, shortening her stride to match his. “Truthfully, John, I suppose he’s a curiosity seeker at best and at worst, who knows? A con man, probably. In the morning I’ll give you a number you can call if he comes around again. Savage said they’d take him in and find out what he’s up to.” She paused while Hoover sniffed a hydrant.

      “I’ve always had a good radar for crooks. This fellow, whatever he is, he’s pretty convincing. I s’pose you’re teaching summer school again? I know you need the money and want to keep busy, but I hate seeing you so thin. You’re practically skin and bones.”

      Her low chuckle had a catch at the end. “Actually, I’m not teaching this summer. I don’t know what I’ll do, John. I do need to fill every hour of the day but I’m burning out emotionally. I won’t be any good to next year’s students unless I back off for awhile. I hear pulling fishnets is a physically demanding job. It might be the distraction I need. Maybe I’ll drive down to Ketchikan and see if I can sign on with a salmon vessel.”

      “Huh, I’d think twice about that. I spent a couple of summers during my college days on a crab boat. A stinkier, dirtier job only exists if you get stuck in one of the canneries. Darlene’s Café has a sign in the window for a waitress. I’m there at least once a week. Never been in the place that every seat isn’t taken. Wouldn’t pay what teaching does, or fishing, but it’d be a change of pace and safer than going to sea with a rough-and-tumble fishing crew.”

      “Thanks for the tip. I’ll consider it. Maybe I’ll go by this weekend and talk to Darlene. Teaching ends this week. The kids are out tomorrow, but we have three days to clean up.”

      John looked pleased that he could help. Then, as darkness fell and a misty drizzle started, they turned back, picking up their pace.

      Garnet studied the cars that passed, and she took a longer look at those parked near the apartment complex.

      John noticed. “You expecting a visitor tonight?”

      “No. It’s nothing. I’m sure this stranger doesn’t know anything. Yet it’s been ages since our law enforcement has received a tip no matter how slim, I guess I held out hope. Silly, I know.”

      Mr. Carlyle picked up his dog and opened the front door. “Not silly at all. So, for the next few days at least, if you want to walk after dark, call me. Not to scare you or anything.”

      She gave an involuntary shudder. “The teachers have planned an after-school happy hour tomorrow at the Silver Springs Lounge. I didn’t commit, but Jenny Hoffman—you know her—told me she met the stranger and invited him to join us for drinks.”

      John caught Garnet’s elbow. “Maybe you shouldn’t go. Whatever you do, don’t let him separate you from your friends. The lounge has a doorman. If you feel threatened, ask him to escort you to your car.”

      “This is dumb.” She tossed her head, as though shaking off her anxiety. “I’ll be fine. I really doubt anyone wanting to hurt me would show his face in such a public venue. Frankly, the guy probably got his