“You didn’t record it?”
“Yes, but on tape. I was just listening back to it when you walked in.”
“Tape?”
“Yes. We still use cassettes here. You can borrow my Walkman if you’d like to listen.”
“Have I accidently time traveled? Is this the eighties?”
“My predecessor liked doing things the old way. He said,If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
“I’m more of anif it’s not broke, break itwoman when it comes to getting the job done. Sounds like I arrived in Hope Falls just in time.” She reaches inside her jacket pocket and takes out a small leather notebook. Then she takes out a pen and clicks the top of it.
“What is the husband’s name?” she asks.
“Harrison Woolf.”
“And his missing wife?”
“Eden Fox.”
She writes down their names. Proper old school. But then she is older than me.
By far the oldest and sexiest woman I’ve ever slept with.
And the scariest.
“Earth to Carter!”
“What?”
“Quit picturing me naked,” she says, and I feel my cheeks burn. “I’m your boss now, you’re going to have to get used to it.” Her words feel like a slap. “I don’t have time to listen to atapebut I want to know what the husband had to say. Transcribe the interview, or find an app to do it for you, then email it to me. I’ll be in my office.”
I look around the station that consists of just this one room. And just one desk. Mine.
“Your office?” I ask.
“Yes. Also known as The Smuggler’s Inn.”
“You’re going to thepub. Now. This morning?”
“Well, I can’t work here. This place is depressing.”
“I thought you said you were never coming back to Hope Falls.”
She takes a step closer and for a moment I think she is going to kiss me. Her face is so close to mine our lips are almost touching.
She smiles. “I changed my mind.”
25
Interviewer:Sergeant Luke Carter (LC)
Interviewee:Harrison Woolf (HW)
Date:October 31, 2025
Location:Hope Falls police station
