Better to rest Read Free Page A

none of the nastiness, shed been Wys closest friend since college and, for a few months, her sister-in-law. “Garys back in Anchorage.
    “Is he?
    “Yeah, he came down with me. Jo didnt look at Wy when she said this, thanking Bill for the draft beer instead. “Dont worry; were not going to land ourselves on youweve got a room at the Bay View. But we were hoping youd have time for us.
    “Sure, Wy said, and managed a smile. “Always time for you, Jo. And you wouldnt be landing yourselves on me, either one of you. So long as one of you doesnt mind sleeping on the floor.
    Jo laughed. “Thanks, but no thanks.
    “How about I order up a couple more hamburgers?
    “How about we eat right here and have a steak?
    Wy cocked an eyebrow at Bill, who shouted a cancellation through the pass-through to the kitchen. Dottie, her fry cook, growled an acknowledgment and slammed the burger patties back into the fridge.
    “Let me call Tim. Wy went to the pay phone in the corner and dialed her home number.
    “Yeah?
    “Hey, Tim.
    “Hi, Wy.
    He had been calling her Mom right up until the first time shed admitted Natalie to their home. “Jos here, and her brother, Gary. Were going to have dinner at Bills. Ill be there in ten.
    She hung up and turned to Jo, standing just behind her. “Dont worry; hell come. The combination of his favorite auntie and one of Bills steaks will offset having to sit next to me.
    Jo followed Wy out to her truck. “Whats the problem with Tim?
    Wy sighed. “Its not just Tim.
    Jo went very still. “Liam?
    Wy nodded.
    Jo bristled. “Whats that prick up to now?
    Wy turned. “Why do you always automatically assume the worst about Liam, Jo?
    “Lets just say I stand on his record. Hes always beating up on my best friend.
    “He doesnt beat up on me.
    “Emotionally he sure as hell does.
    Wy was silent. Jos fierce loyalty to the people she loved was one of her best qualities. It could also be one of her worst.
    “Whats wrong this time? His wife is still dead, isnt she? Jo said in sudden suspicion. “He didnt go and get married again just so the two of you could have another hopeless love affair?
    “No, no, no, Wy said. “Cut him some slack, Jo, Jesus.
    “He hurt you, Jo said. “What hurts you, hurts me. When I get hurt, I get pissed off. When I get pissed off, I get even. Im not square with Liam yet.
    “That why you brought Gary to Newenham with you?
    Jo ignored the question with a dignity that didnt look quite natural on her pugnacious face. “Whats up, Wy? Whats going on?
    Wy leaned back against the door of the truck. “You know this last case, the serial killer?
    “Hairy Man? Sure. Hes still in jail, so far as I know. Its been a month. Got to be some kind of record.
    Jo Dunaways ideal Supreme Court would have had all the justices named Scalia, but then she was a reporter and had seen firsthand the evil that men do far too often. Had she but known it, Liams ideal Supremes would all have been named Rehnquist. Wy thought about making the obvious comment but her courage failed her.
    “Anyway, Jo said, “whats that got to do with anything?
    “John Barton, Liams boss, called. Said Liam had done so well in Newenham that John was promoting him back to sergeant.
    Jo digested this. “Wow. That was quick.
    “Its partly your fault. You wrote that story with all those quotes making Liam sound like a hero.
    Jo looked at her. “So youre not just pissed at Liam, youre pissed at me, too.
    “Shit. Wy smoothed back the curls that had escaped the braid falling down her back. “Im not, Jo. Really, Im not. Its just that things were... Its not like we dont have other issues to deal with, you know? And now weve got to deal with this, too.
    “Liam must feel like a yo-yo, Jo said.
    “Yeah, well, apparently youre only disgraced in the Alaska state troopers so long as youre not clearing cases. When you are...
    “Youre undisgraced. Back in favor. Back on the fast track, Jo said in sudden realization. “Okay. Got that.