Constable Molly Smith 01 - In the Shadow of the Glacier

can assure you that we’re not going to bump anyone off to achieve our objective.”
    “Pardon me, Lucky, but I think we both know that there are people in many situations who will go to almost any length to get what they think’s right.”
    “So I’ve heard.”
    “I’m ready to believe you’d do everything possible to promote the park you so obviously care about. Within the bounds of the law. Am I right?”
    Now it was Lucky’s turn to try to hide a smile. “Not entirely, John. The bounds of the law as defined by a bunch of white men in suits don’t mean too much to me. But the bounds of morality and living together in what we call civilization do.”
    “Do you know anyone who’d step outside those bounds, Lucky, to stop Montgomery?”
    “Will this heat never end? You’ve been honest with me, John. So I’ll be honest with you. In my own circle of citizens, those opposed to the Grizzly Resort and those in favor of the Commemorative Peace Garden, and they’re pretty much one and the same, I’d be astonished if anyone committed an act of physical violence against people opposed to our aims.”
    Winters settled back into the uncomfortable chair facing Lucky Smith’s cluttered desk. This woman knew how to choose her words.
    “And people outside of your circle of citizens?”
    She grinned. She was attractive, in an earth mother sort of way, her hair un-dyed, her face un-made up, her nails chewed to the quick. Clothes chosen for comfort rather than style. “I’m not going to accuse anyone, nor am I going to name names based on rumor and conjecture.”
    “Which tells me that rumor and conjecture have something to say.”
    “Trafalgar is a strange town. It attracts a lot of strange people. There probably are people in town who’d consider killing Mr. Montgomery over his resort, although maybe not over the peace garden. Most of the people who favor the garden are aging hippies like me, long past days of violent resistance. Even some of the men Larry O’Reilly wanted his garden to honor, men like my husband, men who had the courage to abandon all for their values rather than be sucked into the war machine, want to let it go. Let the past be past, they say.
    “Environmental issues, however, may be another matter. I’ll admit that some people might be prepared to go to extremes.”
    “You know these people?”
    “I know of them. I know of a lot of people, including those who claim they’ve been abducted by space aliens.”
    As a boy, Winters had been considered a good chess player, usually beating his dad and Uncle Joe, and most of the members of the high school chess club. But when he’d joined the club at University he soon dropped out: he couldn’t begin to outthink the people he was expected to compete against.
    Talking with Lucky Smith gave him the same feeling.
    “If you think you know someone who might have killed Reginald Montgomery in a dispute over his resort, you need to tell me. I’m not looking to railroad anyone.”
    “Fortunately for you, John, whether or not I believe you is irrelevant. My daughter’s assisting in this investigation?”
    Winters nodded.
    “I believe in Moonlight’s integrity,” she said.
    Winters felt himself veering off track. Was this competent, intelligent, skillful woman about to turn airy-fairy on him? “Please don’t tell me that your astrology readings have advised you to cooperate, Lucky. The light of the moon has nothing to do with any of this.”
    The edges of her mouth turned up. “My daughter’s name is Moonlight. As I may have mentioned, I’m an aging hippie. When she was born, the light of the moon outside my window shone on freshly fallen snow. She was so fair, as if reflecting the scene outside. Do you have any children, John?”
    “No.”
    “A blessing and a curse, all at the same time. Two outsiders arrived in town a couple of months ago. Stuffed full of rhetoric about animal rights and the spirituality of the untouched wilderness. The sort who talk about the noble Native Canadian but have never bothered to actually meet one. They were quick to badmouth citizens’ groups, such as I belong to, as too arthritic to accomplish anything.” Lucky fanned the back of her neck. “There are people who believe in fighting for animals against people. I may not always disagree with them, but one can cross the line.”
    Winters said nothing.
    “You understand I’m making no accusations. Just chatting.”
    “Why are you not a