Free Shelf Ice by Aaron Stander

kayak and find an ice cave to sleep in. He says he can hear voices in the wind and waves.”
    Ray was moving his head from side to side. “That would be so dangerous, given how fast the weather changes.”
    “He’s had some close calls, Tristan has. He laughs about them.” Molly paused briefly, “And, yes, I will mark out a map for you, but I’m not sure how much help it will be. I don’t know many of his secret places.”
    “Tell us about other friends,” pressed Sue.
    “Brenda had lots of friends, but we were the close friends, Tristan and me. Work came first, socializing came later. That said, she was very active in the arts community here and across the state.”
    “Let’s talk about people around here, anyone she might be in contact with on a regular basis?”
    Molly took a few moments to reflect on the question before responding. “Well, probably Elise Lovell. That’s the woman she’s been buying most of her yarn from recently. There was a lot of back and forth between them, you know. Brenda was always looking for special colors and textures, and Elise was willing to experiment and produce lots of samples until Brenda found just the right thing.”
    “How often would they have had contact?”
    “Just guessing, I don’t know for sure, but probably once a week or something like that.”
    “Are there other people in the community that Brenda had contact with?”
    “What are you looking for?”
    “Molly, we’re looking for motive. Why was she attacked? What was going on in her life that prompted this violence? People often share things with those they come in contact with. They might talk to a hairdresser, or physician, minister, perhaps someone they do yoga with. See where I’m going? We’re looking for the bits and pieces, so we can begin to connect the dots.”
    “She got her hair cut by the guys at the Third Wave, but not often. And she did a lot of yoga classes, but that was years ago. Recently she’s just been using DVDs. As far as religion, she didn’t go to church.”
    “Love relationships?” asked Sue.
    “Not now, not recently.”
    “How about a bad breakup in the past?”
    “No.”
    “She owe anyone money, or was anyone in her debt?”
    “No. She was self-sustaining, and I don’t think anyone owed her.”
    “Family problems?”
    “No. I wouldn’t say she was close to her family, but they all seem to like and respect each other.”
    “How about Richard Kinver?”
    “Kinver, the creep. Brenda told me he’d come sniffing around like he was wanting to offer some kind of trade-out in exchange for plowing service.”
    “What are you suggesting?” asked Ray.
    “You know what I’m suggesting,” Molly replied. “But I think he finally got the message.”
    “Did she ever feel threatened by Kinver?”
    “No, just irritated,” She paused briefly, “Sheriff, I’m exhausted. I need some sleep. Then I have to get on the road. Can I go now?”
    “Yes. You know what we’re looking for?”
    “Yes.”
     
    • • •
     
    “What do you think?” asked Ray, turning to Sue as the door closed.
    “Just like our first conversation, she’s not giving much. We need to find out why.”“What’s next?”
    “I’m going to drop you home. And then I’m going to run down to Grand Rapids, too. See if I can learn anything more from her family. And don’t even ask. You’re not going.”

13.
     
    Ray was irritated at being dropped off to rest while Sue was going to Grand Rapids to continue the investigation. Distracted, he rattled through the refrigerator looking for something to eat.
    Standing at the chopping block next to the stove, he cut two slices from a loaf of peasant bread. Ray poured some olive oil into the pan, adding one slice of bread. Then he added slabs of a local raclette cheese and topped it with the second piece of bread. He carefully tended to the sandwich, turning it often to toast it perfectly on both sides.
    Settling at the kitchen table, Ray turned his attention