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Virginia tapped her right nostril, where she had a piercing decorated with a tiny aquamarine stone. “Thanks,” she said. “It’s my good-luck charm. I like yours too.” The girl had a similar stone attached to a ring through her left eyebrow.

“You a Pisces?” the girl asked.

Virginia nodded.

“Me too.” The girl leaned over the counter and whispered, “We’re mystical.”

“You know it,” said Virginia. She paid a buck extra for two sturdy shopping bags with handles. The sack of dry dog food fit in one. The rest went into the other.

“Stay warm, Pisces,” said the checkout girl.

“You too,” said Virginia.

As she headed across the parking lot, she could see that Poe’s vehicle had attracted some local attention. Three skeevy-looking young men in matching coveralls were admiring the truck’s undercarriage. Virginia spotted an auto-repair shop across the street. The Hummer must have lured the workers over from there.

She shifted both bags into one hand and dug for the key fob in her vest pocket.

“’Scuse me, guys. Coming through…”

The men looked up. Their eyes widened. They started elbowing one another. Virginia set her jaw and kept walking. Jesus. She knew what was coming.

Sure enough.

“Big machine for such a little girl,” said one. He was stumpy, with a crew cut and crooked front teeth.

“How ’bout I give you some driving lessons,” said another, making steering motions with his hands and thrusting motions with his skinny hips.

Virginia smiled. “Why don’t you go pound out some dents.”

That scored some guffaws from the other two.

Virginia put the bags down on the pavement and beeped the door lock. When she bent down to pick up the bags again, she felt the third guy circling behind her.

“You need a boost up into that seat, baby?”

Virginia grabbed the bags, not even turning around. “Thanks. I’m good.” After she shoved the bags into the back seat, with the guys inching closer, she yanked the driver’s door open wide and stepped up onto the running board. “Come!” she ordered. Baskerville lunged forward—all 220 pounds of him. His throat vibrated with a deep growl. Virginia grabbed him by the collar, holding him. She looked down as the young men backed away.

“You guys good?” she asked them. Nothing but wide-eyed stares. She climbed up into the seat. “Thought so.” She nudged Baskerville into his seat fully and slammed the door.

On her way out, Virginia drove behind the store and took a back road that ran along the lake, still frozen along the banks. About a quarter mile down, she spotted a huge aluminum-sided structure. It looked like a giant field house. She slowed down to read the faded metal sign out front. ARCHER’S BRANCH ARENA. SKATING LESSONS / HOCKEY. The letters were mostly obscured by a diagonal plank that said OUT OF BUSINESS.

The parking lot was empty and covered in snow, but there was a huge fabric banner across the front of the building with neon-colored lettering. The sign looked brand-new.

INDOOR MONSTER TRUCK RALLY & RACE!

The date was just days away.

Virginia pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of the sign. She knew one person back at the lodge who would definitely be interested in that kind of action.

And for sure he could use some cheering up.

CHAPTER 39

AUGUSTE POE WAS grouchy from lack of sleep, and he was dealing with two extremely disgruntled partners—one personal, one professional. Helene Grey had come downstairs to make some toast. Poe had asked how she was feeling, but she wouldn’t even speak to him. Brendan Holmes was in a dark mood too, clearly irritated by the fact that the FBI was in the house, and Margaret Marple wasn’t.

Now Poe was standing with Holmes and Edwards in the lodge’s comms room. The other agents—Campbell, Meyer, and Hubbard—had reclaimed their spots at the table outside.

“We’re moving Agnes Matts to a more airtight facility,” said Edwards. “We don’t want Paul blasting his way into Bedford Correctional.”