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with you in the morning.”

    “Thanks. I’m excited to get started.”

    Ivy gave Jewel a hug and then left the café and put the papers in the Jeep.

    She walked across the street to the deli, questioning the wisdom of her being seen with Pete right now. On the other hand, it would be less risky if things appeared normal. And certainly her seeing Pete Barton was something most people here would anticipate.

    Ivy followed Pete into his office and pulled the door shut behind her. She sat in a blue vinyl chair facing him, thinking how ghastly she must look under the fluorescent lights.

    “Okay, what’s up?” Pete said.

    “My dad got a call this morning from a construction foreman bulldozing trees on the south end of Collier Ranch.” Ivy looked into his eyes and saw her own fear staring back at her. “They discovered a human skull and some bones.”

    The color left Pete’s face. “It was bound to happen sooner or later. Not to worry. We just stick to the pact, right?” Pete cocked his head and looked at her questioningly. “ Right? ”

    Ivy felt herself nod. “Is Flint Carter still sheriff?”

    “Yeah, and you can bet he’s already jumped on it. He’s been trying for ten years to figure out what happened to Joe. Youknow your dad and Flint are good friends now?”

    “No, I didn’t. But you know he’s going to want to talk to us again.”

    “That’s why we have to stick together on this, Ivy. It was a stupid mistake, but we were kids. Our going to jail won’t bring Joe back. And it’s not as though we’re a threat to society.”

    “Are Reg and Denny living here?”

    “No. Reg owns a ski shop in Telluride, and Denny’s an architect in Durango.”

    “Are you in touch with them?”

    “Every now and then. They’re both committed to keeping the pact. They’ve never breathed a word of it to anyone, not even their wives.”

    “What if the autopsy reveals something incriminating?”

    Pete rolled his eyes. “Like what?”

    “I don’t know. It seems like medical examiners find evidence in incredible ways these days.”

    “On TV, maybe. But after all this time, Joe’s clothes have rotted. His flesh is gone. There’s no DNA and no way anyone can ever trace this to us. We sure didn’t touch his bones.”

    “ I never touched Joe at all.”

    “You were there.” Pete’s voice spiked with irritation. “You’re just as guilty as we are.”

    “You don’t have to remind me. I spent a huge chunk of the past decade snorting cocaine, hoping I could forget. It didn’t work.”

    “Yeah, I heard. I’m sorry about that. I forced myself to stay away from drugs.”

    “Don’t you ever struggle with guilt?” Ivy said.

    Pete shrugged. “Not anymore. It’s not like we set out to kill Joe. Things just got out of hand. And don’t forget he was going to rat us out.”

    “Maybe we’d be better off if he had. At least it would be over.”

    “Not for me. I would’ve been thrown off the basketball team, and Dad would’ve disowned me. It would’ve ruined my life.”

    “And killing Joe didn’t?”

    “I don’t think about it, okay?” Pete sighed. “I wouldn’t even have left Alaska if Dad hadn’t died. Mom couldn’t handle the deli by herself. She needs me. That’s the only reason I’m living here.”

    “What were you doing in Alaska?”

    “Running a tour agency in Anchorage. I forgot all about Joe Hadley while I was there.”

    “Lucky you. I never could.”

    Pete looked her up and down. “I can see you’ve had it bad. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have recognized you at Jewel’s if you hadn’t spoken first.”

    Ivy rose to her feet, crushed that this man who had talked her out of her virginity now found her repulsive. “I should go find Montana. He’s at the ice rink with Mom.”

    “So you’re keeping the pact, right?”

    “I don’t have any other choice.” Yet .

    Ivy found a parking space at Spruce Park and put a dime in the meter. She walked past the