Prime Catch by Ilona Fridl Read Free Book Online Page B

Harper is still in surgery with him. Would you like to wait?”
    Amos cut in. “Since we can’t leave until tomorrow morning, we’ll wait for word on Jensen. I’m Sheriff Amos Darcy from Juneau, and this is my Deputy, Sarah Lakat.”
    The nurse nodded, then went back to her work.
    Tunny turned to leave. “I have to make a report. I’ll check with you later and get more details.”
    When he left, Amos and Sarah settled on two of the padded chairs in the waiting room. Sarah had concern in her eyes. “Amos, don’t take this so hard. We tried our best to keep the man safe and catch our murderer.”
    Amos ground his teeth. “I probably would have caught him if I’d seen that net.”
    “You weren’t expecting a trap. Any of us would have been caught. I can find out, at least, what tribe he’s from. Every group has their own way of making nets. That’s why I kept the pieces.”
    “Good thinking, Lakat.” Amos put his head back and closed his eyes. Between last night’s miserable sleeping arrangements and the long day he’d just had, he was exhausted.
    “Amos―Amos!” The words were accompanied by a gentle patting on his shoulder. “Tunny is back, and we have a report from Dr. Harper about Mr. Jensen.” Sarah’s voice was a sweet thing to wake up to.
    Amos slowly stretched his stiff neck. “Thank you, Lakat. How is he?”
    Tunny took up the report. “The doc said he came through surgery, but it’s going to be touch and go for a while. His liver was damaged, but they were able to remove the rest of the arrow safely and repair the damage.”
    Amos rubbed his eyes. “Well, here’s one the murderer wasn’t able to pull off. I wonder if the stakeout had anything to do with it.”
    Tunny nodded. “He might have had something else planned, but we got in the way.”
    “We’d better alert the other coastal law offices to do this if there’s a suspicious Personal ad in the paper.”
    Sarah sat on the other chair. “Hopefully, they won’t quit posting them because of this.”
    Tunny turned to her. “This is a way they can get their message out. I think there should be a tighter identification system for the Personals, but I don’t know if the papers will change their policy.”
    Amos jabbed his thumb southward. “The problem is, we don’t know where he will strike next.”
    “Darcy, do you want to go back to the cabin to wait for morning?”
    Amos winced at the thought of that couch from the nether regions. “No. Can you think of anything else?”
    Tunny hesitated a moment. “We have a couple of cots at the office, in the back room, for when we have to be there overnight. You’re welcome to use those.”
    Amos glanced at Sarah. “I don’t―”
    “We’ll take them,” Sarah interjected. “I know you didn’t sleep well on that couch. I don’t care who wags tongues in this town. We’ll be gone tomorrow.”
    Tunny nodded. “I’ll treat you to supper and then get you set up. There are pillows and blankets at the office.”
    After they’d eaten at one of the diners, Tunny brought what they needed for the room at the office. “I’ll bring in some breakfast on trays in the morning before I take you to the airfield.” He removed his hat and turned to Sarah. “Miss Lakat, I want to apologize to you for your reception in Sitka. I think you are as good a deputy as any of my men here. I was impressed with your work today.”
    Sarah looked surprised, but shook the offered hand. “Thank you, Sheriff Tunny. I accept your apology.”
    With a smile to them both, he took his leave.
    Sarah picked up one of the pillows and a blanket and made up one of the cots. “I’ll sleep in my clothes, so you won’t feel uncomfortable.”
    Amos followed suit. “You’re a classy lady, Lakat.”
    Sarah grinned as she stretched out on the cot. “You’re quite the gentleman, Amos, when you want to be.”
    Amos grunted as he turned out the desk light. “Go to sleep.” He was out in seconds.

Chapter 8
    Sarah awoke