“He told me, he used you.” Riku’s face was blank. Hawke couldn’t tell if she knew about Nonni sleeping with Ásta and didn’t care because of what Nonni said, or if she was tamping down her disappointment to get the other woman to mess up.
“Used me?” Ásta’s voice rose. “I used him. He was so proud of how he helped people. How he kept us from using drugs.” She laughed. “I was using and he didn’t even know.”
“How could you lie to him? He was honest, loyal, and kind.” Riku’s face hardened. “All the things you aren’t. I am glad he is dead and does not have to learn how terrible you are.”
Ásta laughed. “You loved him, didn’t you?”
Tears trickled down Riku’s face. “Yes. With all my heart. And he loved me. We were to speak of marriage.”
“I should have waited. Then you would have been a widow.” Ásta started to go around Riku.
The young woman’s arm was a blur as she grabbed Ásta by the arm and jerked her back around. “You killed him, didn’t you?”
“Let go of me!” Ásta said in a growl between clenched teeth.
“Not until you tell me the truth. Were you the cause of his death?” Riku twisted Ásta’s arm.
“Let go of me. Yes, I hit him on the head with a rock and if Billy hadn’t shoved him in the boiling mud, I would have. He was going to leave me for you. You!”
Riku shoved Ásta to the ground and walked back to the chair where she sat down. Tears ran down her cheeks.
Hawke strode over, picked Ásta up off the ground, and handcuffed her.
She started yelling in Icelandic. Hawke didn’t have any idea what she was saying but several of the hotel staff came hurrying over.
Böðvarsson came through the doors, shouting something, and everyone backed off.
Once the detective and a woman dressed in a maid’s uniform took control of Ásta, Hawke walked over to Riku. He knelt beside the chair. “I’m sorry you had to hear the gory details of how Nonni died. You know she said that to hurt you, just like she killed Nonni to hurt you.”
“Yes. But it hurts that he believed she was a friend and she did so much to harm him.”
“I agree. Do you want me to call your father to come get you or do you want to ride back to the police station with us?” Hawke held out a hand to help her stand.
“I wish to see her being punished for what she has done.” Riku shoved the tears off her face and peered at him.
“You won’t see that until the trial. How about I walk you back to your hotel. I think we could both use the fresh air and sunshine that is out today.”
She agreed.
Böðvarsson was waiting for them by his car.
“We’re going to walk back to the Marina Hotel. I’ll catch up with you later. You have the recording. But what about Mrs. Albright?” Hawke asked.
Böðvarsson grinned. “They were on the deck. I had someone stationed to take photos. And we have the confrontation and her paying Ásta, who we now have proof killed Nonni.” He patted Riku. “Good job. Everything will come to both women as it should.”
“That’s all we wanted.” Hawke put an arm around Riku’s shoulders. “Let’s enjoy our walk.”
<<>><<>><<>>
“We finally meet,” Böðvarsson walked toward Hawke and Dani at Nonni’s funeral.
Hawke put a hand on Dani’s back, making her take one step forward. “Dani Singer, this is Detective Inspector Böðvarsson who I worked with to find Nonni’s killer.”
“Please, I am Ari. I am happy to meet you.” Böðvarsson’s eyes twinkled. “I expected to see you in overalls.”
Dani frowned at Hawke.
He chuckled. “Ari tried to get me to buy you a dress that you’d never wear. I told him you liked jeans and overalls.”
“I see. Did Hawke tell you I’m a pilot? I feel more comfortable in jumpsuits and overalls.” Dani hooked her arm with Ari’s. “We have two more days before we leave your country. What do you think is a good place for us to see?”
Böðvarsson glanced over his shoulder and winked at Hawke. Dani was as tight-lipped as himself. He didn’t need to worry she’d answer any personal questions the detective asked her.
“Mr. Hawke.”
He spun around and faced Mr. Tanaka and Riku. “Hello.”
“We wish to thank you for not giving up on the truth about Nonni’s death,” Mr. Tanaka said.
“I think our cultures are alike. My ancestors mourned the dead even though they were being cradled in the Creator’s arms. It is the loss of their time on earth with the ones they love that leave us grieving the most.”
“He lived too few years for the depth of his compassion for others.” A tear glistened in the man’s eye.
Riku hugged Hawke. “Thank you, Mr. Hawke. Because of you, we all know the truth.” Her face turned to the left.
Hawke followed her gaze and found Bragi. He finally knew the truth about Wanza. Hawke wondered which was better. That he knew she died but had wanted to be with him or if he’d gone on thinking she’d found someone else?
“The truth is always the best.” Hawke released Riku and went in search of Dani and Böðvarsson. He’d had enough mourning, he wanted to see more of Iceland and return home. On the way home, he would set up a time Dani could go meet his mom.
<<>><<>><<>>
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Special thanks go to my guide while I was in Iceland, Ragnar Hauksson. He not only explained things to me while I was there but answered my numerous emails after I arrived home and needed information from places I hadn’t seen while in Iceland. Judy Melinek, M.D. CEO, Pathology Expert, Inc. for answering my questions about a body in a sulfurous boiling mud pool. And my fellow authors and betareaders from around the world who helped me get my character’s dialog realistic sounding.
Author Comments
I was lucky enough to go on a literary tour of Iceland last summer. My guide and fellow authors had a good time helping me discover a place where my character could find a body. On our last day, we visited the boiling mud pots at Kŕysuvik and I knew I’d found my murder scene. From there it was a matter of finding a way to get Hawke to Iceland and I discovered the biannual SAR conference held in Iceland and made him one of the instructors. From there the story took place in my head and came out through my fingers onto the keyboard.
Thank you for reading book five in the Gabriel Hawke Novels.
Continue investigating and tracking with Hawke as his series continues. If you missed his other books they are:
Murder of Ravens
Book 1
Print ISBN 978-1-947983-82-3
Mouse Trail Ends
Book 2
Print ISBN 978-1-947983-96-0
Rattlesnake Brother
Book 3
Print ISBN 978-1-950387-06-9
Chattering Blue Jay
Book 4
Print ISBN 978-1-950387-64-9
While you’re waiting for the next Hawke book, check out my Shandra Higheagle Mystery series.
Paty
About the Author
Paty Jager grew up in Wallowa County and has always been amazed by its beauty, history, and ruralness. After doing a ride-along with a Fish and Wildlife State Trooper in Wallowa County, she knew this was where she had to set the Gabriel Hawke series.
Paty is an award-winning author of 45 novels of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. She and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifes
tyle, she lives it.
By following me at one of these places you will always know when the next book is releasing and if I’m having any giveaways:
Website: http://www.patyjager.net
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Thank you for purchasing this Windtree Press publication. For other books of the heart, please visit our website at www.windtreepress.com.
For questions or more information contact us at info@windtreepress.com.
Windtree Press
www.windtreepress.com
Hillsboro, OR 97124
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