"To the murdered climber or Jake's past?"

"Both."

"She's been great with Jake's past. I think the truth helped her to finally see what a great guy he is, erased all the doubts she had about him."

Piper waited a few minutes before slicing the pie and serving them all a slice. "Would you like whipped cream or ice cream?" she asked Anna.

"It's homemade whipped cream," Reef said, loving that Piper always made the homemade stuff.

"You just a.s.sume it's homemade?" Piper said with a smirk.

"I know you."

She moved for the fridge. "I suppose you do." She pulled the bowl out and brought it to the table.

"Fresh whipped cream sounds amazing," Anna said as Piper scooped some on her pie. The cool cream melted as it made contact with the warm apples, making that gooey puddle Reef loved. "And how did Kayden deal with the murdered climber?" he asked.

"It was rough, but you know Kayden."

"She's fine."

"You got it."

"But how is she really?"

"She was strong as usual, but I know it bothered her. A climber killing a climber is horrible."

"You already know who did it?"

"No, but Kayden said it had to be someone with climbing expertise."

"The climbing community isn't going to like her going after one of their own."

"I know, but she's got Jake with her."

"She's tough. She could handle it on her own."

"She could, but I think she likes having Jake along."

"Oh no, do I hear Miss Matchmaker at play?" He took a bite of pie. Scrumptious. "Piper, you've really outdone yourself. This pie is kicking."

"Mm-hmm." Anna smiled between bites. "It's delicious."

"Glad you're enjoying it."

"So are you playing matchmaker?"

"Nope. I believe those two are already on their way."

"Seriously? Kayden and Jake?"

"I think so. I see the way they look at each other."

"Kayden's making googly eyes for Jake?" Not Kayden. She didn't make googly eyes for anyone. Not since Brody Patterson back in high school. At least not that he'd seen or Piper had reported to him.

"It's rare. I've only caught her once or twice, but believe me, she's looking at him a lot differently these days. You tell her I said that and I'll punch you."

"I think you mean she'll punch you." He smirked. Kayden prized her privacy above all. If she had any idea they were sitting around the table discussing her love life . . . All he could say was he was glad she was halfway to Imnek by then, though he worried what kind of reception she'd get.

7.

Kayden let Jake take the lead to the widow's door. They'd called ahead to let Mrs. Humphries know they'd be coming, but Jake insisted they arrive half an hour early. He said a lot could happen in a half hour.

Kayden was curious to know if that'd prove to be true. The Humphries place was a white two-story home with black shutters and a two-story porch, looking more Gone with the Wind than Alaskan Peninsula.

Jake rapped on the door and a young woman answered-early-to-mid twenties, pet.i.te and slender, with long dark hair pulled back in a braid.

"Deputy Wes-" Jake cleared his throat. "Deputy Cavanagh to see Mrs. Humphries. She's expecting us."

The woman dipped her head. "Come in. I'll let Mrs. know you are here."

They stepped inside the large foyer-black-and-white marble decorated the floor while white marble stairs commanded the center of the s.p.a.ce, winding up to a secondary foyer.

"Was that the d-" A faux-blonde in her upper forties. .h.i.tched at the sight of them.

Stuart Anderson followed immediately behind Mrs. Humphries, also stopping short at their presence.

"Mr. Anderson." Jake smiled. "Nice to see you again."

"I'm here for Vivienne, of course. To be a comfort during this tragic time."

Jake linked his hands behind his back and nodded. "Of course." He glanced between Stuart and Humphries' widow. Even Kayden didn't miss the casual affection of Stuart's hand resting protectively against the small of Vivienne Humphries' back. Interesting.

Vivienne smoothed her silk blouse. "Why don't we sit in the parlor." She gestured to the front room on their left, her two-inch heels clacking along the tiles as she led them in. The room was appointed with burgundy and gold furnishings. Kayden would have found the decor overbearing if it weren't for the openness of the s.p.a.ce. The south-facing wall was floor-to-ceiling windows, and strategically placed mirrors on the opposite wall magnified the effect, resulting in the appearance of a much larger s.p.a.ce than what actually existed.

Stuart moved to sit beside Vivienne on the large burgundy sofa.

Jake leaned forward. "We need to speak with Mrs. Humphries alone."

Vivienne glanced nervously at Stuart.

He squeezed her hand. "I'll be in the next room if you need me."

She nodded.

"It's kind of Mr. Anderson to be here for you," Kayden said as Stuart excused himself from the room.

"The three of us go way back."

"Mr. Anderson mentioned that. College, I believe?" Jake said.

"Stuart and Conrad were roommates."

"And you?"

"And me, what?" Her nose crinkled.

"Were you friends with both?"

"I met Stuart when Conrad and I started dating."

"Did you and Stuart ever date?"

She laughed. "No. Conrad and I have been together since freshman year of college. Only other boy I dated was Rob Williams in high school."

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Humphries," Jake said, taking a seat opposite her. "It must have come as quite a shock."

Vivienne swallowed with a nod, sadness draping over her. "I still can't believe it."

Jake handed her a tissue, though no tears had been shed yet. "I was told you and Mr. Humphries have children?"

"Yes." She dabbed at her dry eyes. "Two boys. Derek is fifteen, and Phillip is twelve."

"I'm very sorry." Kayden knew the overwhelming sorrow of losing a parent at such a tender age. She'd been sixteen when her dad had died suddenly of a heart attack, her mom from illness only two years later. Neither were murder, but the loss of a parent was the same-leaving the children feeling lost, alone, and bewildered.

"Would either of you care for a drink? Tea, water?" Vivienne asked, glancing at the young woman waiting in the doorway.

"I'm fine, thanks," Kayden said.

"Nothing for me." Jake shook his head.

"I'll have a water with lemon, Amelia," Vivienne said.

The young woman nodded as she backed from the room, disappearing down the hall with nearly silent footsteps.

"Thank you for speaking with us during this difficult time," Jake said in a soothing tone as he leaned closer.

Vivienne responded, leaning forward too. "Of course."

Jake glanced about the room. "You have a beautiful home."

Vivienne smiled. "Thank you."

"You have quite an eye for decorating."

Color imbued her cheeks. "I try."

"Well, you've done a lovely job."

Lovely job? Had Jake-mountain man, tracker-just said lovely job? Landon had mentioned Jake's parents were members of Boston high society, but somehow the knowledge was incongruent with the rugged outdoorsman she knew.

Amelia returned with Mrs. Humphries' water.

"Thank you, Amelia." She took a sip, and then waved her hand. "That will be all."

Amelia disappeared as quickly and quietly as she'd come.

"Are you certain I can't offer you anything?" Vivienne smiled at Jake.

"No, ma'am. I'm fine, thank you."

"Ma'am?" She chuckled. "People call my mother ma'am."

Kayden narrowed her eyes. Was the woman actually flirting with Jake?

Jake smiled slowly. "I only meant it as a sign of respect."

Mrs. Humphries shifted, the sleeve of her sheer peach silk blouse draping over the burgundy sofa arm. "Vivienne will be just fine."

Jake dipped his head. "Vivienne it is, then. Could we begin with you sharing the events that led up to Conrad's climb?"

Something shifted in Vivienne's demeanor, as if she suddenly recalled the circ.u.mstances surrounding their meeting. "I suppose." She sat back, folding her hands in her lap, the water resting on a coaster beside her.

"Wonderful." Jake pulled a small notebook and pen from his shirt pocket and flipped to an empty page. "When did you first learn of Conrad's plans for the climb?"

"He informed me of his intentions on Thursday morning."

"His intentions?" Jake asked.

"Said he and Stuart were heading to Tariuk on Sat.u.r.day. They were going to spend the day climbing some . . . face."

"Stoneface," Kayden said.

Vivienne waved her perfectly manicured hand. "Whatever, dear."

"Did it come as a surprise?" Jake asked.

"That he was going climbing or that he dumped something on me last minute?"

"Either."

"No, on both accounts." She lifted her water gla.s.s. "Conrad had a nasty habit of informing me of his plans with very little notice. Never mind that he'd promised our son he'd be at his soccer game. Never mind that I had a luncheon that had been planned for two months. No, he decided to go climbing, and I had to take a disappointed Phillip to his game. No consideration for anyone other than . . ." She shook her head, as if remembering who she was talking to "Forgive me. Where are my manners? It's wrong to speak ill of the dead."