Free Never Hug a Mugger on Quadra Island by Sandy Frances Duncan, George Szanto Page B

could’ve known he’d be here?”
    Jason whispered, “I don’t know.”
    Kyra said, “We’ll need you to give us the names of his friends. Here in Campbell River and on Quadra.”
    â€œSure. But they wouldn’t have anything to do with it.”
    â€œThey might guide us in valuable directions.”
    â€œAnyway, the Mounties have already talked to them.”
    Noel slowed the car and pulled into a commercial parking lot. “Look, Jase. You got us up here. We need information or we’re stymied. And you’ve got to tell us who to talk to about Derek’s life. Or we go back to Nanaimo tonight.” He opened his computer.
    Jason sighed. “It’s just, it feels like—like I don’t have much of a brain left.”
    â€œSo let’s take it one bit at a time, okay? Now. His friends.”
    Jason rubbed his chin. “On the island he used to hang out with a couple of guys, Nigel Meredith, and Sam Bristol, friends since grade one. And sometimes with The Demon—that’s what they called him, Demosthenes Catokis—except he’s the gentlest guy you can imagine. I’ll give you addresses and phone numbers at the house.”
    Noel typed. “Any girls?”
    â€œHe dated Bertina the last year before he went to the college and until this spring. But then he met Cindy and Bertina was history. We all liked her. Bertina Anderson.”
    â€œPretty name,” said Kyra. “We’ll talk to her. What about Campbell River. Friends at the college?”
    â€œI don’t know them but Derek used to mention a couple of guys. Mike Campbell, he’s in the heavy machinery department too. They’re close. Hockey buddies too. And Joe Daimley, another hockey buddy. Derek’d hang out with Joe and a friend of Joe’s, Gaston something—Gaston, French last name, Robitaille, that’s it. Gast Robitaille.” A rueful smile from Jason. “They drank a lot of beer together.”
    Noel typed. “Anybody else?”
    Jason thought. “They were the closest.” He thought some more. “Linda might know. Timmy too. Probably not Shane, he’s away a lot.”
    Noel closed the computer lid and started up the engine again. “Thanks. That’ll be a start.”
    Kyra said, “Who’re the Mounties who’ve been working on the case?”
    â€œHuh? Oh, Dorothy Bryan. She’s good. And Harry Latiche. Hard man. Professional, I guess. But I’ve seen him off duty and he’s way more relaxed. Hell, long as he does his job.”
    The names Albert had given Noel. “We’ll talk with them after the doctor.”
    â€¢Â Â â€¢Â Â â€¢
    Linda unlocked Jason’s Corolla and got into the driver’s seat. Alana tried to sit in back with Shane but Tim opened the other door and slid in. Alana sat up front.
    Linda drove onto 2nd Avenue. To the back seat she said, “I hear Austin’s back.”
    â€œYeah,” said Shane.
    â€œThey were in the office when Dad and I got there,” Tim volunteered.
    â€œOh? What’d he say?”
    â€œNot much.”
    A mystery conversation to Alana. Why didn’t Shane want to participate?
    Tim said, “T. Shorty asked if I was playing hockey this year.”
    â€œHe pick you up at the ferry this morning, Shane?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œT. Shorty Barlow runs the Zamboni at the rink,” Linda informed Alana.
    â€œWow. I’d love to drive a Zamboni.” Alana laughed.
    â€œSometimes Shorty gives rides,” said Tim. “Or I could. I know how to drive it.”
    â€œHow do you know that?” his mother asked.
    Alana turned around. Tim had his cap on backwards. He shoved at it. “Oh, Shorty showed me.” His voice rose on me. He took off his cap, turned it around and pulled it over his face. Alana grinned.
    In the ferry lot Linda passed a plastic card to the ticket-taker and got it back with