7.
Gandalf Ninork. – Policemen returned driver’s license back to me. – You are under arrest.
- On what grounds?
- That’s we will have to figure out. You are alone, near burning building, with dead man nearby. I think we have plenty reasons to be suspicious. Let’s wait for forensics to finish, then we can have a chat.
He looked fresh, healthy, cheeks bursting with happy blood, rushing through his veins. He was on one of his first assignment and was determent to do things right.
- Couple of the femur bones, but no humane, more likely animal. – said healthy looking forensic women, same age and height, as policemen. – They all looked very healthy here. Must be the air. Clean, cold. Mountain air.
-
- Goats. – I said.- She had goats here. Mother and babies.
- She is – who? – Forensic women was clearly done with her expertise, and asking just because.
- Her name was Feather. Women, who lived here.
I was upset with them. I did not think, that they are doing their job thoroughly, like they had to.
- And how did you know her?
I told him my story, also about avalanche, how I had to dig her out from under the snow.
I’ve noticed, that they looked at each other strangely.
- Do you know anything about it?
- Some weird thing. – Said officer Ledgebaka. – I was told, that was a manmade avalanche. Some one purposely set it up and directed. At least, that was an opinion one of the experts.
I was thinking about what he just said. Honestly, It was hard to believe, that such an experienced mountaineer, as Feather was, could get so easily cot up in such a trivial mountain event. I am sure, that was not a first time she had to deal with it, must know the symptoms, when it about ready to happens. It did look, like if she was taken by surprise. I had a million questions in my head, that I would have ask Feather, if I even could find her. Will I ever find her?
Officer Ledgebaka interrupted my deep thoughts:
- Time to go. You will be driving in my quad.
Forensics group had to stay longer, they wanted to investigate the trucks before they get snowed over. They were going to take care of the dead body.
By the time we made to town was already pretty late. I been asked to empty my pockets, my knife and rifle was taken from me already, at the crime scene. Even brief expertise showed, that Feathers husband was killed with some sort of military knife, with narrow blade, while mine was typical hunter’s knife, and blade was much wider. Yet, many questions they still had unanswered, as I refuse of talking without my lawyer. Then we had to wait, until he was located.
I had plenty of time to dwell on what just happened. Prime suspect in murder investigation, possibly double homicide, even though Feathers body wasn’t recovered. As adventurous I was by the nature, such an event takes a toll on you. I was tired, depressed and hurt. And very very concerned about Feather' disappearance.
Then, after my lawyer arrived, we went over my story again. I had nothing to hide. Quite opposite, I was anxious to find Feather, so, I was as helpful, as I could be.
- Do you have a photo of missing women? – He asked me. I had one. On my phone, I did took a selfie with her sleeping, but was not sure, if I should show it to him. She was naked on that photo. I really would not like this man stare at my women, without clothes on. But, following lawyers advice, I gave my cell phone to Ledgebaka. Next moment he ran out of the room, still staring at photo of me and Feather, both naked, on her narrow single bed.
He was absent about ten minutes, and when he returned, his face was red and eyes wide open.
- Do you know anything about her? – I was nervous. He did not look normal. He looked, like fishermen, who was trying to catch a small fish, and then find out, that there is a whale on another end of his rope.
- - Yes, I recognized her. She is in federal search, wanted in every county and every city and state of our country. FBI guy is on his way.