Laurel blinked and sat back.
Kate shrugged. “I puked with both Viv and Val for months. I recognize the look.”
“Oh.” Laurel accepted the ginger ale, instantly realizing she couldn’t keep this secret from Kate, and lying to her friend held little appeal. Plus, Kate had experienced pregnancy three times and no doubt held much wisdom. “Approximately eleven weeks.”
A broad smile spread across Kate’s face. “Congratulations, Laurel. I think that’s fantastic news.”
Laurel opened the soda and took a drink. She’d try anything to get rid of this feeling. “Thank you. I’m worried.”
“Of course, you’re worried,” Kate said. “That’s the primary function of a mom. Trust me, I’m always worried. Everything will be fine.”
Laurel appreciated the support. “Thank you. I hope so.”
“Does that explain why Huck has been hovering lately?”
Laurel took another drink. “Has he been hovering? He’s been overprotective, but I’ve become accustomed to that.”
“He has been standing guard around you more than usual,” Kate said. “It’s a good thing. You have to let him be a part of this.”
“I am,” Laurel said.
Kate tapped on the door frame. “Good. If you need anything, let me know. I’m sure you’ll have questions.”
“I’m sure I will. I’ve been studying and reading up on pregnancy, but I might have real-life questions,” she mused.
Kate chuckled. “All right. I’m here for you.” She turned and sauntered out of view.
Laurel looked back at the case file, trying to find any sort of pattern that would lead to a clue where Abbott might be right now. Nothing stood out. She’d had the techs try to trace the phone call from the previous night, but Abbott hadn’t been on the line long enough. She also had Nester working from Seattle, analyzing possible vacant properties in the area where Abbott might be squatting. So far, he had not found any viable possibilities.
Her desk phone buzzed, and she saw that it was Kate calling. “Hey, Kate. You were just here.”
“Laurel Snow. Did you just make a joke?”
Laurel sat back. “Not really.”
“It sounded like one,” Kate said. “Rachel Raprenzi fromThe Killing Hourkeeps calling, wanting more details about the victims found by the rivers.”
The woman certainly was persistent. “Tell her no comment,” Laurel said.
“Also, whether you have an update on the Abbott case,” Kate continued.
They already had the hotline going, so there was no need to utilizeThe Killing Houragain. At least for now. “Tell her no comment for now.”
“Okay, gotcha. Oh. Um, Sheriff York just buzzed in downstairs. Want me to ignore him?”
Laurel sighed. “No. Let him up.”
“I guess.” Kate clicked off.
Minutes later, Sheriff York walked into Laurel’s office. “I figured I’d update you in person on this fine Saturday since neither one of us is getting a day off anytime soon.” He had dark circles under his eyes.
“Hi, Sheriff,” she said. “I assume you’ve found the Bearing men?”
He wiped a hand across his brow. “No. I thought they’d headed out to a friend’s cabin near Snowblood peak, but I was wrong. Saul owns a private plane, and I checked, and it’s gone.”
Laurel blinked. “You allowed the husband of a murder victim to fly out of town?”
His face reddened. “No. I thought they needed a day or two in order to grieve, which is what I’m sure they’re doing.”
