Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

A ndi and Duke met with Tim Burrows. He sat across the kitchen table from them inside Juniper’s place. Juniper had insisted they’d have the most privacy there.

Juniper wasn’t with them. She had some paperwork to do, she’d said, and she’d gone back to her office in the lodge.

Andi studied the man a moment. Fortysomething Tim had a thick blond and gray beard, a nearly balding head, and red cheeks. He was on the heavier side with a rounded belly and hooded eyes.

Before they even started, Tim volunteered, “I appreciate the fact you’re here looking for answers about my brother and his wife’s murders. But I’m not sure what exactly you’re expecting to find out by being here.”

“As you know, if this killer continues to follow his pattern, another murder is imminent.” Duke remained undeterred in the stiff, wooden chair. “We’re trying to do whatever we can to prevent that from happening.”

“You guys really think you can do something the police haven’t?” Tim squinted, not bothering to hide his doubt. “Sounds arrogant to me, like you all have an inflated view of yourselves.”

This guy was blunt. Andi wasn’t sure if she admired that quality or despised it.

“We’re trying to do something .” Andi let her statement hang for a moment.

“Don’t make no sense to me,” Tim said. “Juniper wanted to pretend like none of this happened, to stick her head in the sand. Then out of the blue, she suddenly wants to bring all this attention to her parents’ murders? Why the change of heart?”

“Maybe she realized with the anniversary of their deaths coming up that this guy was going to strike again,” Andi said. “Grief goes through different stages.”

“I suppose.” He still looked unconvinced, like he had a chip on his shoulder.

Andi locked gazes with the man. “So, are you willing to help us? Or are you ready to let the murders of your brother and sister-in-law go unsolved and the person responsible to remain walking free?”

Her words seemed to make him loosen up a little. “Of course I want to help. I mean, if I thought I could help, I would have done something a long time ago. But I don’t know anything.”

“We’ve already talked to Juniper,” Duke said. “She told us about her parents. But sometimes kids don’t know everything about their mom and dad, not like peers might. Do you know if Calvin or Mary had any enemies?”

“They were good people, and their whole lives revolved around this camp. I can’t imagine they were targeted because of something they may have done.”

“So they had no enemies?” Andi clarified.

“Not really.” Tim blew out a breath and leaned back as if thinking about the question more seriously. “Well . . . there is one person I can think of. A guy named Edwin Standard. Calvin and Mary knew him from the Caribou Club.”

Andi perked up at the possible lead.

“Why was Edwin an enemy?” Duke asked.

“My brother thought something shady was going down at the Caribou Club, and he began to distance himself from the organization. When I asked him about it, he said some of the money the club raised was being spent on parties the organization put on for members instead of being given to the intended recipients—people in need.”

That sounded shady, Andi mused. “Tell us more.”

“I guess there’s always a small operating cost taken out from these fundraisers, right?” Tim blew out another breath. “But this money they’d collected was supposed to go to victims of a local wildfire, victims who’d lost everything. Instead, the club had this huge party. Said they’d gotten stuff donated for the event, but Calvin knew that wasn’t true.”

“What did your brother do?” Duke crossed his arms as he settled back in his seat to listen.

“He called the leaders out on it.” Tim shrugged. “That, of course, made them mad. Edwin was the president at the time, and he actually booted Calvin and Mary out of the club.”

“Did they leave kicking and screaming?” That was how Andi pictured the couple, especially Mary. She didn’t seem like the type to walk away with her head down.

Tim frowned and twisted his neck. “Not even close. That was the surprising thing. For some reason, Calvin and Mary left quietly.”

“I wonder why.” Andi tapped her lips as she stored that information away. Maybe it didn’t amount to anything. But it was worth looking into.

“I wondered that too. It was almost like the club had something on my brother and Mary that forced them to keep their mouths shut.”

Duke shifted in his seat. “You know where this Edwin guy is now?”

“Unfortunately, he died about two months ago.”

Andi leaned back, suddenly deflated. Tim could have mentioned that earlier.

She hoped he might have something else helpful to offer.

“Is there anyone else at the club who was involved in that situation?” Andi asked, still determined to find some answers.

“Not that I know of,” Tim said. “I know that’s not helpful. But that’s all I’ve got.”

“What about Heath and Claire Klinkhart?” Andi crossed and then crossed her legs again as she tried to shift her thoughts. “Juniper brought them up earlier. Do you remember anything about them?”

“I know those two had a big falling out with my brother. But I think once they went their separate ways, they were gone for good.” Tim shrugged. “At least, that was what I heard. I haven’t seen them in years. I know Pepper was estranged from them, though I never asked why. I try to stay away from drama.”

Duke shifted before asking his next question. “Did you have any theories about what happened to your brother and his wife?”

Tim didn’t miss a beat. He’d clearly thought this one through. “Really, I think this killer is psychotic. For all I know, he throws darts at a map of Fairbanks, and wherever that dart lands is where he’ll strike next.”

That thought was chilling. Not that Andi hadn’t already considered that option herself, although not exactly in those terms.

“What about Emmett?” Duke asked. “Any thoughts about him?”

“Emmett?” His voice rose with surprise. “He does a decent job here. He was visiting his mom in California when the murders occurred if that’s what you’re wondering. He’s not your guy.”

“Good to know.” Andi leaned closer, trying to make sure Tim was locked into this conversation. “I hate to ask this, but I have to. Do you resent the fact that Juniper took over this place instead of you? After all, you’re older and more experienced.”

Tim’s expression remained tight. “Those were my brother’s wishes, so what can I do? If I had a child, I’d do the same. I do think Juniper is in over her head, and the fact she doesn’t like to listen to any of my advice can be infuriating.”

“I’m sure it can be frustrating.” Duke tapped a finger against the tabletop. “What about you and your brother? Did the two of you get along? Did you have any beefs with him?”

Tim bristled. “What are you implying? That I killed him? Why would I do that?”

“I’m not implying anything.” Duke’s voice remained calm as he skillfully deescalated the situation. “I’m just looking for answers.”

Tim’s shoulders loosened ever so slightly. “No, we got along just fine. He was my older brother, and he was always there for me when I needed him. After I got divorced, I didn’t know where I’d end up. My wife got our son and the house. I wasn’t in a good place mentally, you know? He offered me a job here, and it saved my life. I had no place to go otherwise. So, I guess you could say I owed my life to my brother.”

“Good to know,” Duke murmured.

“Anything else you want to add?” Andi asked before they wrapped this interview up.

Tim let out a long puff of air. “I’ve had this one idea that’s been nagging me for a while. But I’ve never bothered to voice it aloud because I know it will sound crazy.”

Andi leaned forward, anxious to hear what his theory might be.

But before he could start, someone pounding on the door interrupted them.

Duke bristled at the sound of the heavy knocking. Who could be here?

He rose and strode toward the entrance of the cabin, Tim beside him.

When he threw the door open, a man he’d never seen before stood on the other side.

“Can I help you?” Duke asked.

“I’m looking for The Round Table podcasters,” the man muttered. “I heard they were trying to get in touch with me.”

Duke squinted as he tried to place the man. And you are?”

“Name’s Bert,” he stated, underlying anger in his voice.

Tim let out a low growl. “I remember you. You’re the guy who tried to get this place closed down.”

Bert shrugged as if he couldn’t care less. “It’s not my fault you guys don’t live up to people’s expectations.”

“There’s no need to get upset right now.” Andi stepped forward, ever the negotiator. Her gaze turned to Bert. “Why did you come all the way out here?”

“I got a message saying you guys wanted to talk to me and that you were at the lodge investigating this murder. I wanted to know what it was about.”

“A phone call would have sufficed,” Tim muttered with narrowed eyes.

Duke really wished Juniper’s uncle would stay quiet. His reactions only served to stir up more emotions.

“I prefer to have my conversations face to face,” Bert muttered. “So what did you want to talk about?”

“We’re actually in the middle of something right now,” Duke said. “But I can get one of my colleagues over here to talk to you.”

“Are you going to talk about how this place should be shut down?”

“Why would we talk about that?” Andi kept her voice even and calm.

“Because it should be shut down,” he stated. “It’s nothing but a tourist trap.”

“You came here,” Tim barked. “You obviously thought this place had appeal.”

“My kids begged me to come, and we were all sorely disappointed. Now, I want the world to know to stay away. It’s been my mission ever since I was asked to leave.” His nostrils flared again. “Nobody ever asks me to leave. Nobody.”