Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Call me Mick, and it’s ten in the morning.”
She studied his clear eyes. “Yeah, but you’re on vacation.”
He gingerly reached toward the wound. “No alcohol. Not even a Bloody Mary. We got up early and went out for some simple fishing at Naluk’s Pond.”
May paused mid-prep. “Naluk’s?”
“Yeah.”
“That pond’s on private property owned by Ben Naluk,” she warned him.
Mick blinked. “It is? A couple of locals told us all about it. Said we could relax and drop in a line for a little while to catch some Arctic Char.”
“The pond has delicious Arctic Char,” May agreed. In fact, Ben paid her with copious amounts of the sumptuous fish whenever the elderly man needed medical care, which was rare. “However, Mr. Naluk doesn’t like trespassers and is absolutely fine leading with his shotgun and not his words.” Oh, Ben probably wouldn’t have shot them, but he might’ve fired at a tree or two.
Mick’s eyes widened. “That’s not good.”
May accepted the syringe from Ivy. “This will pinch a little.”
He held still as she infiltrated lidocaine around the wound.
“You’re lucky you weren’t shot at the pond.” May might as well help Ben keep visitors off his property. She waited a beat, then tested the area gently. “Can you feel this?”
“Nope.” Mick carried the scent of pine and cold morning air.
“Good.” With steady hands, she clipped the trailing hooks, advanced the barb slightly, and then backed it out cleanly. A thin line of blood followed. “All done.”
Mick exhaled. “That’s it?”
“You need a tetanus shot.” She pressed gauze to the site.
“Just got one a month ago.”
Good enough. “This is just a small puncture wound that you want to keep clean. Watch for redness, swelling, fever, and drainage. Basically perform standard wound care.”
He nodded. “About that property. We didn’t see any signs posted.”
“Mr. Naluk isn’t big on posting.” May studied the lure now resting in the tray. “Also, that’s the wrong lure choice for a pond like that.”
Mick blinked. “It is?”
“You’d want something smaller. A size six Panther Martin would work better. There are several local ponds that are state run you can fish at legally. Drop by the city center for a map,” May said.
He grinned. “Thanks for the tip, Doc.”
“My best tip?” May peeled off her gloves. “A, stay off private land. B, stay out of your brother’s casting radius.”
Mick laughed. “Noted. Do I check out up front?”
“Nancy will take care of you on your way out.”
He hesitated while drawing his flannel on over his T-shirt. “So… I couldn’t help noticing you’re not wearing a ring.”
May glanced at her hand. “I’m not.”
“How about dinner tonight? As a thank you.” He was charming. Confident without being pushy. Attractive. Relaxed.
“That’s kind of you,” she said gently, “but it’s really not necessary.”
Ivy watched him and then looked at May with a slight jerk of her head. An encouraging one to take the handsome guy up on his offer. With his beard and lighter eyes, he was good looking.
“I know it’s not necessary, but I think we’d have a good dinner. I saw a restaurant called the Green Plate that looks pretty good. I’d love to take you out,” he said.
“Thank you, but no,” May said.
He winked at Ivy. “Maybe I’ll see you both at Sam’s Tavern.” Then he walked out.
Ivy nudged May’s shoulder. “Why not? He’s cute.”
“I’m not dating a tourist.”
“I would.”
May started to clean up. “Then you should’ve said yes when he winked.”
Ivy grinned. “I can’t go out with him after he asked you out. Plus, I took Jack Jones all night fishin’ up the river the night before last. We had a good time. For a city guy, he can fish.”
May stilled. The younger guy who worked for Kyle? “Ivy, I’m glad you’re having some fun. Also, that’s the night that the college student was killed. Did you see anything when the two of you left town?”
Ivy sobered. “No. Nothing. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing, and we didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. We were at Sam’s Tavern that night before leaving to fish. I already gave a statement to the troopers, and I’m pretty sure that girl was still at the bar when we left? But I’m not a hundred percent on that.”
Before May could respond, Nancy called down the hallway. “Doc? We’ve got a walk-in.”
It was a busy morning, now wasn’t it? May moved quickly toward reception, Ivy right behind her, and stopped short.
Jack Jones leaned heavily against the counter, pale and sweating. His older companion supported him, arm locked firmly around his waist. A running shoe sat abandoned near the door, and a muddy sock clung to an obviously injured foot.
“What happened?” May asked.
“I’m Jack. We met the other day. I think my foot’s broken.” Pain etched into the lines of the young man’s face. He wore muddy gray sweats with a blue tank top that showed edged muscles.