She took that as a yes. “When was the last time you and Tamara were together?”
“I didn’t say we were,” he said evenly. “And again, I’m pleading the Fifth.”
Ophelia inhaled slowly through her nose, forcing herself to stay calm. “Do you know if anyone else was involved with Tamara?”
Jarod looked away, pretending to think. “Fred Jeronimish, for sure. They went on a couple of dates in town before he left.”
“When did he leave?”
“May, maybe? About a month before she disappeared.” Jarod took another sip of his hot toddy. “She was missing him, though. Drank a little too much, feeling sorry for herself. But I’m sure she found someone to take his place.” He winked again.
Ophelia resisted the urge to punch him. “Anyone else?”
Jarod leaned back, crossing his arms. “Osprey. Ace, I mean. They shared a weekend. I remember that one.”
She kept her face neutral. “Anyone else?”
Jarod shrugged. “Probably. She picked up guys from town sometimes. I remember there was a fishing crew here oneweekend from Anchorage. Pretty sure she banged at least two of them.”
Ophelia’s stomach churned, but she kept her voice steady. “It’s my understanding that Hank Osprey might have used the complex as a motel from time to time.”
Jarod blinked, then nodded. “Yeah, he might have.”
“Who did he see there?”
“I have no idea.” Jarod’s face darkened. “Hank paid me by the hour and told me if I was anywhere near the place while he was there, he’d kill me—and I believed him. So I stayed away. I don’t know who he saw. Could’ve been Tamara, for all I know. Or maybe he did something spy-like with the military. Or whatever. But believe me, that was not a man you messed with.”
Ophelia’s spine straightened at the raw honesty in his voice. “So, you’re telling me that Hank Osprey met someone at that complex a summer ago, and no one knew who?”
Jarod shifted uneasily. “I’m not even sure he met someone. Could’ve just needed time alone. I don’t know.”
“How did the Tundra burn down?”
“Faulty wiring,” Jarod said, lifting his shoulders again. “That place was a wreck. Hard to keep up. I don’t miss it.”
She didn’t like how his gaze flicked away. “But it was the only motel in town. When you got hunting or fishing tours, you made money, right?”
“Yeah, some.” He rubbed his thumb along the rim of his mug. “Insurance gave me a hundred grand. I considered going somewhere warm, but…” His gaze moved to Amka, where she chattered with Brock at the bar. Jarod’s gaze hardened.
Ophelia raised an eyebrow. “Do you still have the money?”
“Most of it,” Jarod replied. His grin returned. “I’m thinking of taking a trip to Anchorage for the weekend. I’m sure you have research to do there.”
She blinked. “Did you just ask me to go to Anchorage with you?”
Jarod leaned forward, eyes gleaming. “Is that an offer?”
Ophelia’s jaw tightened. “Absolutely not.”
His expression didn’t waver.
“Did you kill Tamara Randsom?” Ophelia’s voice dropped to a cold whisper.
“Of course not,” Jarod said smoothly.
“I need the name of your insurance adjuster as well as his friend from Anchorage who brought the cadaver dog to town.”
Jarod sipped his drink. “Gosh darn it. I don’t remember.”
