Constable Molly Smith 01 - In the Shadow of the Glacier

She’ll be much more relaxed that way. I’m sure you’ve found, Meredith, that a comfortable interview goes so much better, not only for the benefit of the interviewer but for the subject. And that comfort transfers itself to the audience. What business are we in, Meredith?”
    “What?”
    “You and me. What’s our business?”
    “Reporting?”
    “The truth is our business. Our job is to dig until we arrive at the truth. And then we continue with our job to ensure that the American citizen is informed of the truth. The truth, the true story. There is no higher calling.” Sometimes Rich Ashcroft impressed himself with his rhetoric. He’d go into politics if it didn’t pay so badly.
    “I guess. But this is Canada.”
    Okay, that was a mistake. Easy to rectify. “The average Canadian’s included in that, of course. I meant all the citizens of the world.”
    Meredith leaned back to allow the waiter to put their plates on the table. “I hadn’t looked at it that way. It’s great working with you, Rich. I’m learning so much already.”
    “Will you look at that,” Rich said. A man with a sarong wrapped around his waist passed them. His feet were bare, he carried a guitar, and his head bobbed to music that no one else could hear.
    Meredith dragged spinach leaves through the dressing at the bottom of her bowl. “That’s Trafalgar,” she said. “Do they have any job openings at CNC?”
    ***
    By the time they got back to the station, Christa had left.
    “She looked mighty steamed,” Denton said, “when I told her you weren’t here.”
    “How long ago was this?”
    “Fifteen minutes maybe.”
    “Call Tyler’s office, Molly,” Winters said. “Tell him we’re coming around to talk to him.”
    Smith had tried to get her friend to come in and report Charlie, and when Christa did, she, Smith, blew it. Christa could have said something to Jim Denton, but she didn’t: sometimes she depended too much on others to tell her what to do. “I need to call my friend, John. It’s police business, really.”
    He looked at Denton. The desk constable shrugged.
    “Get Tyler’s office, first. You can call while I’m checking my e-mail.”
    Dr. Tyler, Smith was informed, had just begun surgery. He’d be occupied for at least an hour, probably an hour and a half. “Is everything all right, Constable Smith?” the receptionist asked, trying to sound helpful, but pretty much fishing for gossip.
    “Tell Dr. Tyler that Sergeant Winters will be around at five thirty to speak to him. If he finishes surgery earlier than that, have him call us.” Smith rattled off the number of the police station.
    “I will, Molly. Perhaps I can help you in the meantime. Are you interested in Dr. Tyler’s schedule for yesterday?”
    “Not at this time, thank you,” Smith said.
    She hung up. “Dr. Tyler’s reputation in this town is toast.” She told Denton what happened at the dentist’s office earlier. “If the patient in the waiting room doesn’t run and tell her friends every juicy detail, his receptionist certainly will.”
    Denton laughed.
    Winters came out of the back. “Let’s hit the road.”
    Smith explained that the dentist was operating. Pretty much the only time the police couldn’t march in and arrest someone was when a doctor had a patient sliced open in front of him or her.
    “In that case, I’m going to see Lucky Smith, and you, Constable Smith, cannot sit in on that interview. Where can I find your mother?”
    “She’s probably at work.”
    “Where’s that?”
    “Mid-Kootenay Adventures. My parents own the store.”
    “There wasn’t anything in my e-mail on Montgomery. While I’m out, call Vancouver and ask for Rose Benoit, mention my name, and ask her to find out what they know about him. Clemmins as well. Then start digging into the both of them. I need to know if they’ve ever been in any trouble. Clemmins looks like he has a past with a bike gang, but appearances are not always meaningful. Check on Tyler while you’re at it. He’s from New York. It’ll take a while to get an answer, but see if there’s anything to find there.”
    Smith groaned without making a sound. Back to the desk work. “About Tyler?”
    “Yes?”
    “Don’t you think someone should go over there and wait outside the surgery? He might make a runner.”
    “He’s on my suspect list, for the moment, but I can’t see him taking off. Too much the solid citizen. Private practice, family, house. If he’s the