Chapter 1

I would never have been able to relocate across Ontario from Toronto to Lakestone had it not been for the tragedy. I don’t like to talk about it, hurts too much. The one good thing about heading out of Toronto are the falling house prices, as long as you go far enough east that is. When I sold my semi in East York, just off the Danforth it was like I’d won the lottery, finally I had the financial freedom to realize one of my childhood dreams. All I needed to do now was to buy some horses to put on that two hundred acres, of course there was the barn to fix up and the stables. The house could wait, it was a century home but in good shape, albeit a bit dated, it didn’t matter though, it was just going to be me living there. Sounds crazy, I just couldn’t take the loneliness of living in that big city house on my own; not after the tragedy.

Driving in to work this morning was a breeze, no traffic, no traffic lights, no honking horns, no sirens, no people, except for the odd one that is, not saying they’re odd just not a lot of them out here in the sticks. Within twenty minutes I was pulling my truck in behind the police station an old red-brick building dating back to the 1920’s. At first glance it could be mistaken for a church with its tall clock tower. I should clarify, there are two sets of traffic lights in the village of Lakestone, population just under three thousand, add another fifteen for the outlying rural inhabitants plus another fifty thousand once the tourists arrive during the summer months and literally take over the place; so I’ve been told. I won’t be experiencing that for a few months yet, snow’s still on the ground. Yep, put snow tires on the truck ready for winter out here, been to enough fatalities because the cars didn’t have snow tires on them. Death does have a way of changing attitudes.

“Good morning Sergeant Williams, Constable Lochlan Magee reporting for duty.”

“Lochlan Magee,” he replied wistfully while leaning on the counter, looking at me over the top of his bifocals. He looked a good six inches shorter than me, stocky and probably at one time in good shape, his protruding stomach indicated a lack of exercise, his days of chasing criminals on foot long over. He still had all his hair, probably his wife coloured it for him, grey roots showing through the dark brown. If it wasn’t my first day I might have made a wisecrack. “You sound like an Irish bank robber to me. Now remember what I told you Lochlan, leave your Toronto policing attitude back in Toronto, this is a peaceful little town full of good people, most of them that is. You don’t need to be arresting everyone who looks at you the wrong way. If someone raises a hand and waves at you, they are not giving you the finger. Oh, before I forget, that ticket book I issued you shouldn’t need renewing for at least another year, not unless the Ontario Police Department take us over that is.”

“I heard they put a proposal into the township office to amalgamate us.”

“I’ve got less than five years to go, dear God do not let it happen before then. Okay, get changed we’ll have our briefing over breakfast at Sally’s.”

“Sally’s?”

“Sally’s Pantry down the high street on the right just before the pharmacy. Seeing as it’s just you and me this morning, Chris is on his requal training and it’s Roberta’s day off you may as well ride with me, that way I can show you around the place.”

“That’s very environmentally friendly of you Sergeant.”

“Call me Frank and speaking of being green, try not to leave your cruiser running, I’ve already received complaints from the locals and a lot of dirty looks. Do that anywhere near the high school and we’ll have a riot on our hands, thanks to Greta Thumburg.”

“It’s Thunberg Frank, not Thumburg and good for her standing up for what she believes in, I’m all for it.”

“You’ll fit right in at the high school, I can see that.”

I left Frank reading through a stack of office paperwork while I went and got changed. You couldn’t swing a cat inside the locker room, so different to my Toronto station, it felt a little strange not hearing the raucous banter of other officers coming on shift as others were preparing to go home. I didn’t like the quiet and wondered if I’d made a terrible mistake. Sixteen years of hustle and bustle on the streets of Toronto, there was never any time to be bored. The silence was interrupted by the sound of my new sergeant bellowing from his office.

“You ready yet, my stomach’s rumbling! Grab the snowbrush while you’re at it and make a start on clearing the snow off the sergeant’s cruiser.” He tossed me a set of car keys. “See you out back in five.” In Toronto I’d have told him to clear the snow off his own vehicle, but this was day one, let’s not rock the boat.

As soon as I opened the back door and went outside, I realized it was a test. The snow had already been cleared off Frank’s cruiser, the engine was warming up spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Frank walked out, a huge grin on his face.

“Bet you were biting your tongue?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I’ll drive, that way you can take in the sights.” We headed slowly up the main street. “Best coffee for miles around in there,” he said pointing towards a very nice looking café on our right called, Coffee by the Lake. “Not open yet, a bit early. We’ll drop in there later on in the day, you won’t be disappointed I guarantee. And that there is The Lakestone Inn, the old one burned down, made a beautiful job of this one, get a lot of rich tourists staying in the village now, it’s been good for commerce. The old one used to attract a lot of drinkers, there was always fights, you’d have had your hands full, but looking at the size of you, I don’t think you’d have had much of a problem. How tall are you?”

“Six-five.”

“And three, make that four feet across. An Irish cop that’s for sure, at least that’s how I imagine those early boys coming across the Atlantic to become cops in New York or Philadelphia in the good old days. Any police officers in the family Lochlan?”

“My dad was in the Garda, spent many years dealing with eejits.”

“Eejits?”

“Idiots. Same assholes as over here, just different accent. Came over and joined Toronto, he’s retired now.”

“Lucky bugger. How long did it take him to get used to being retired?”

“Twenty minutes, so he says, but I don’t believe it. Retired as a detective sergeant.”

“Does he miss it?”

“Just the guys, that’s about it. It’ll be the same for you likely.”

“You’re probably right. That was the hardware store we just passed on our left and there’s Lakestone’s very own independent bookstore, The Reading Gym. You can’t read it from here but underneath it says in smaller lettering, For exercising the mind. Our local garage over there, very convenient and there’s Sally’s Pantry.”

“We’re not stopping?”

“We’ll go around the block and come back along the Aaniin River. Beer Store,” he said pointing to his left.

“Good to know.”

“Butchers next door. If you’re a carnivore make sure you go there, it’s a family concern, has been for generations. Their honey and garlic sausages are to die for. Like most of the stores in Lakestone, you won’t be disappointed.” We cruised slowly past a small plaza. “Best fruit and veg in there and deli too.”

“Which one?”

“The Lakestone Market, delicious fresh bread and their apple pies, you have to try one. You name it they’ve probably got it. One thing I can say about the stores in Lakestone, you won’t find friendlier staff anywhere. Wife shops in the Market all the time, make sure you mention I sent you.” Sounding like a tour operator he announced, “Lakestone Pharmacy over to your right, they deliver if you need it and you can get a flu shot there, Covid too now of course. Okay, we’ll turn off here, if you go straight up that hill and down the other side, that’ll take you to the medical centre. Where’s your doctor, Toronto I suppose?”

“Yep, I’ll see if they can take me on.”

“Fat chance of that, they’re not taking any more patients, but lucky for you I have a connection. My wife’s one of the nurse practitioners, as long as you promise to exempt all medical staff from traffic tickets I’m sure one of the doctors will fit you in, you don’t mind if it’s a woman do you?”

“Of course not and thanks, that would be very helpful.”

“They’ve got counselling services there too, if you ever need it, not saying you would need it, but just in case you did, not that you would, just sayin’.” An awkward silence remained with us as we drove on along a residential street, well-kept century homes on either side of the road. The river came into view ahead of us. “That’s the Aaniin, it means ‘Welcome’ in Ojibwe, they have a reserve about a half hours drive from here. Beautiful art store there, well worth a visit. Have you had any interactions with First Nations?”

“Some, not a lot. Like everyone else, there are good ones and not so good ones. I don’t have a problem with anyone Frank, not unless they want to make me their problem. I’d rather do someone a good turn than a bad one, let’s face it, we all have our off days, days when we say and do things we regret, especially if we’ve been drinking. I don’t like people who hurt women and children, seniors, the disadvantaged and I got no time for racial hatred. I don’t get hung up too much on other things.”

“You’ll settle in real well here then.”

“That’s handy, the Liquor Store. What’s that small building?”

“That’s your Driver and Vehicle Licencing Office.” We took a right back up Main Street. “The Lakestone Library, get yourself a library card, most of the staff are volunteers, and they’re retired, so it keeps them out of trouble.”

“Sounds like the perfect place for you when you retire, keeping out of trouble I mean.”

“That’s Denise’s job, my wife, she keeps me on my toes. If you need some groceries, there’s the General Store, a bit overpriced if you ask me, they should give us locals a discount, after all, we’re the ones who keep them afloat in the winter when all the townies have gone back to wherever they came from.”

“Is that an Aston Martin parked in their lot?”

“Yep, belongs to the General Store owner. You can see why the produce is so expensive, those cars run anywhere from a couple of hundred grand up to a couple of million. I hate to think what the insurance must be on one of those things. That one is apparently the price of the average Lakestone house.”

“I sense an air of bitterness hidden in there somewhere.”

“Yeah, possibly. You see if I’m not right, when the summer finally gets here along with all the tourists, it’ll be Toronto prices all over again, catering to the wealthy. If you’re still here that is. Seeing as you’re from Toronto, you won’t even notice the price gouging.  And there my friend is one of my favourite places, the Lakestone Chocolatier. Pam, she’s the owner makes the best chocolate liqueur truffles I’ve ever tasted in my entire life. Half a dozen of those and you’ll be on your way to failing the breathalyzer. I confess to a bit of a routine. Breakfast at Sally’s, do the rounds, you know, show the flag, return to the station, deal with the public at the front counter and at eleven o’clock take a walk along to Pam’s, purchase a couple of her whiskey-flavoured truffles, then it’s off down to Coffee by the Lakewith my chocolate treasures. When the weather’s nice, sit out on the front patio with a delicious coffee, bite into a truffle and I am transported to heaven, albeit temporarily.”

“Sounds more like you’re having an orgasm.”

“Mock me all you want, just wait ’til you try one.”  Frank made a left turn at the lights in front of the police station, then took a first right and we arrived back at the river, the road running alongside the river bank. Between the river and the road the township had laid large flat granite rocks fashioned into pedestrian walkways leading to sun-bleached cedar decking. Lakestone residents were obviously paying their taxes.

“What’s that impressive looking brick building there?”

“That my friend is the end of the road.” He glanced in my direction, saw my puzzled expression. “Lakestone Funeral Home. Which reminds me, try if you can to keep business in the village.”

“You mean persuade the bereaved to use their services rather than go outside when I attend my first sudden death here?”

“You got it. Keeps the well-oiled wheels of industry turning smoothly, not to mention the flow of Crown Royal at Christmas time.”

“I’d prefer Tullamore myself, being an Irishman.”

“Good to know, I’ll pass that along.”

“I notice just about every commercial store has the word Lakestone in front of the name.”

“That was decided decades ago at a township meeting, it was agreed reinforcement of the village’s name was good for business and a good way for the tourists to remember us and keep coming back.”

“I thought the locals didn’t like tourists.”

“We don’t, but we sure as hell like their money. If we didn’t have them you wouldn’t have a job here, neither would Chris or Roberta. I’d be it.”

“The Mounties did it back in the days of the pioneers.”

“Yeah, they were real men, tough as the Canadian Shield. This is where the boats all converge in the summer, the township take the docks out for the winter. We get boats of all shapes and sizes, last year one came through, I swear it must have cost over five million, probably more. It was a beaut I’m telling you, I’d have been terrified of running it into the rocks.”

“Sounds like it would make a nice floating police station, you should put in a proposal to buy one like it for Lakestone’s first police marine unit.”

“We’d be lucky to get a bloody canoe from the mayor’s office and even if we did, you can bet it would be a used one and we’d have to supply our own paddles.”  

“I guess a helicopter’s out of the question then?”

“Lochlan, a kid’s drone if you’re lucky. That’s the ice rink, home of the Lakestone Warriors, our very own hockey team.”

“You live in town Frank?”

“On the outskirts, me and the wife have a bungalow on the lake.”

“Sounds idyllic.”

“It is, watching the sunrise takes your breath away, not to mention the sunsets. In the summer you need to be up bright and early to enjoy the lake, long before the maniacs start roaring up and down in their fancy speedboats or on those other abominations, Jet Skis, the bane of people with lakefront homes like me trying to enjoy peace and tranquility.”

“What about snowmobilers in the winter?”

“Good way to kill yourself, the current’s pretty strong, keeps the ice fairly thin and the snowmobilers off the ice, except for the idiots of course. A few years back we had three go through the ice, the Ontario Police Department did the recovery, retrieved the machines and two bodies,  one’s still missing. Let that be a valuable lesson to you, keep off the ice. Here we are at Sally’s again.”

First observation I made as we pulled in to the parking lot, was how many cars and trucks were parked in the parking lot, not to mention how busy it was inside the restaurant.

“Mornin’ Frank, be with you in a minute.”

“Mornin’ Marcie, no rush.”

“Must be nice being at work and not having to rush,” said an old guy waiting at the counter to pay his bill. He was short and scrawny, weather-beaten like he’d never spent any time inside a building let alone a house. “You must be the new guy, from Torono, so they tell me. Probably got more experience in one year than the sergeant here’s got in ten.”

“Conor, don’t give up your day job, your comedy act sucks.”

“Just sayin’ no need to get all prickly on me Sergeant Williams. So you’re Magee’s boy from Eire.” It was a statement not a question. “Conor MacDermott, not to be confused with those assholes the McKinleys. Like your kin, we’re from the south, the McKinleys are from the north, don’t get us confused. You leave us alone and we’ll leave you alone, ain’t that right Sergeant?” The waitress now behind the counter began to count Conor MacDermott’s money.

“Watch he doesn’t try to flimflam you Marcie and make sure those notes aren’t forgeries.”

“Hard earned cash there Sergeant, not like your tax-payer wages.” I felt someone barge against me, hard enough to make me take a step forward.

“You okay Pa? Pigs ain’t bothering ya are they?” A large man about my own age dressed in dark blue coveralls stood nose to nose with me.

“All good Oisin, just having a wee bit of fun with the sergeant here.”

“You know Oisin, now that we’ve met, I’ve changed my mind about stem cell research.”

“What’s he sayin’ Pa?”

“Constable Magee’s just joshin’ with ya. Pay no attention.” I knew what was coming, I had my feet already planted. Sure enough Oisin made a point of barging my shoulder on his way out, but before he did I stepped back placing my right foot firmly on top of his left and at the moment his shoulder contacted with mine, I twisted my body and jerked hard into his. It was so fast if you blinked you’d have missed it. The shocked look on his face was priceless as he toppled backwards, crashing to the ground like a felled tree. He scrambled back on his feet pretty quick ready to retaliate. Something deep inside his prehistoric brain must have told him the equally big man in front of him had taken on a street fighter’s stance, solid, feet well planted. Instead of showing fear, I was smiling.

“Leave it be Oisin. Leave it be I said! Ain’t worth it, there’ll be another time and place.”

“You bet there will be,” I said before MacDermott junior said something similar. Once they were outside the restaurant, the younger man became very animated, he was having a child’s temper tantrum inside a grown man’s body. “I should probably go out there and arrest him for cause disturbance.”

“No! Of all the people to get entangled with, you had to pick on the MacDermotts. The McKinleys are going to hear about this, that’ll upset the MacDermotts and we’ll have another war on our hands. It was so peaceful until you got here. Christ, you haven’t been on duty two hours yet, now look what you’ve gone and done.” It was the sound of people clapping behind us that stopped Sergeant Williams from continuing his tirade.

“About bloody time!” shouted a red-faced man.

“Good for you Officer, standing up to him,” said a woman sitting across from him, I figured she was his wife. I got the impression the majority of the patrons felt the same way, judging by the number of nodding heads and verbal expressions of agreement.

“Got a table in the corner for you boys,” announced Marcie. We followed her to a table for four, set up the same as all the others, four high-back wooden chairs separated by a square table with a maroon-coloured tablecloth covered in thick clear plastic to cut down on the laundry. Since Covid the condiments were no longer in a wooden box, like a smaller version of something a gardener would use to carry gardening tools. “I’ll grab a couple of coffees?” We both nodded. “Okay then I’ll be right back to take your orders,” she said, placing menus in front of us. “Officer, try not to get into any more fights, at least not inside the restaurant.”

“Sorry about that Marcie.”

“No need to apologize, he had it coming, just don’t ever drop your guard. The MacDermott’s will want to get even you know.”

“Compared to the Magees, the MacDermotts and the McKinleys are like a bunch of choir boys, they’re just too dumb to comprehend it.” She smiled.

“For your sake I hope so.”

Marcie kept the coffee coming, breakfast was excellent, eggs, pea meal bacon, hash browns and toast. It was good to get a breakfast not swimming in grease.

“On one bill?” asked Marcie.

“No, separate,” replied Frank.

As we made our way up to the counter, a door opened revealing a tidy, well organized office. An attractive woman with blonde hair tied back in a ponytail came out. She could have been anywhere between forty and sixty, one of those well-groomed women with good genes. She wasn’t smiling, but her eyes were.

“Morning Sally.”

“Sergeant Williams. It’s okay Marcie I’ll look after this.” She rang up Frank’s bill, he paid her including a tip for Marcie. I handed her a twenty dollar bill, she didn’t take it, in that split second I noticed she was wearing a wedding ring. Her hand pushed gently against mine. “Yours is on the house Officer.” She flashed a smile, even her teeth looked good. “About time somebody in uniform stood up to those bullies.” She turned and stared at Frank with a look of anger and resentment. Frank dropped his gaze, obviously embarrassed. He said nothing. I got the impression he had nothing to say because she was right.

“Please let me leave a tip.” Her smile returned.

“As you wish.”

When we walked out to the parking lot, the MacDermotts had already left.

“You drive Lochlan, I’ve had enough of chauffeuring you around.”

“Sure, no problem.” As we drove away the atmosphere inside the cruiser felt uncomfortable, Frank remained very quiet.

“Nice lady,” I finally said, hoping to relieve the tension. He merely grunted.

“Take a drive out into the country, I need some fresh air.”

“You okay Frank?”

“Sally’s husband runs the lumber yard, he’s a local contractor, a good one, if you need any work done. Tough bastard and stubborn too, that’s what put him in the hospital, twice courtesy of the McKinleys and the MacDermotts. We suspect one of ’em broke into his yard and stole a shit load of lumber. He got word it was the McKinley’s, confronted them, the fight was on, before they knocked him unconscious and put the boots to him he beat the hell out of three of ’em, and I mean he gave ’em a beating, serious injuries, almost killed one of ’em. They almost killed him too. When he recovered, he heard it was the MacDermott’s, paid them a visit and it was déjà vu all over again. First time it took him five months to recover, the second time eight months, almost died he did. Nicest guy you could ever meet, cross him or say one bad word against his wife Sally, you might as well kill yourself. Freddy’s from the reserve by the way. There was talk of serious retribution, it would have ended in a blood bath, they would have wiped out both the McKinley clan and the MacDermott clan, not that they’d be missed.”

“Holy shit, that’s crazy. What stopped it?”

“More like who. Freddy paid them both another visit, this time he took his brothers, his cousins, uncles, and there are a lot of them. Lumber gets returned, Freddy gets a big wad of cash in compensation, that’s the story anyway. I guess some kind of a peace treaty got agreed to. Funny thing is, the MacDermotts are still allowed to go to Sally’s, but not the McKinley’s. Nobody knows why and no one’s saying anything. It doesn’t mean the MacDermotts didn’t steal the lumber in the first place. Can’t figure that one out.”

“If the police weren’t contacted how come Sally’s mad at you?”

“She contacted the police, against Freddy’s wishes I might add, he wasn’t too pleased about it when he found out, anyway we had to hand it over to the O.P.D. too involved for us, don’t have the resources. They dropped the ball, lost interest, after all, it’s Lakestone, the O.P.D. don’t give a shit about what goes on here. My guess is, Freddy wasn’t too cooperative with them either. I tried, I really did, we all did, Chris, Roberta and me. Sally doesn’t know how hard the three of us tried, I’ve given up trying to tell her. I’m sorry I lost it with you, just trying to protect you, you’re one of my officers now. You’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest Lochlan, you won’t be the only one to suffer. You should have at least waited to see how all the cogs connect and interconnect to drive our little town. Even the tiniest one gets knocked out of synch, the whole thing wobbles and grinds until it gets fixed. It’s wobbling now, wheels gonna fall right off, you wait and see.”  

“Let’s be honest Frank, Freddy damn near killed a couple of ’em, it’s no wonder the O.P.D. didn’t give a shit about his lumber getting stolen, likely they believe he’s responsible for putting himself in the hospital, not once but twice as you say.”

“You’re probably right, but we, by we I mean the whole of Lakestone don’t see it that way. Freddy’s a good man, well respected, as honest as the day’s long and generous to a fault. The MacDermotts and the McKinleys on the other hand are vermin. Stay here long enough you’ll get the picture. After what happened this morning, if you don’t have security cameras and an alarm at your farm, if I were you I’d get some. Shouldn’t bother with guard dogs, they’ll soon put them down and nail their hides to your front door. You’ll find most of the farms around here, especially the bigger ones have alarm systems.”  

“That bad eh?”  

“We had a spate of grain thefts from some of the barns. The farmers had just got the grain harvested, wheat, soy, oats that sort of thing, parked the trailers full of grain in the barn, next day they were gone. We found out with the assistance of the O.P.D. the grain got sold and the trailers got sold for scrap. We know it was one of ’em, we just don’t know which one.”

“I never knew there was a market for stolen grain.”

“You better believe it, it’s huge. Depending on the market a tonne of soybean can fetch four-hundred bucks, winter wheat, two hundred bucks a tonne, oats over two hundred, if they’re organic, double the price.” I started laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“You certainly know your commodities Frank, rural policing is a whole new world for me.”

“To be honest, I had no idea until all those grain theft calls came in. It’s not just grain either, maple syrup’s a big one too. It sells anywhere from ten to fifteen dollars a litre, of course the thieves only get a fraction of that, once the middleman has taken his cut. But in the case of the MacDermotts and the McKinleys, they’re the thieves, the middlemen and the distributors all rolled into one.”  

“Can’t say they’re not enterprising.”

“I only wish I knew where all their cash is stashed, must be in the millions.”

“Offshore accounts probably, some overseas tax haven. They’re in good company with the world’s wealthiest, from gangsters to royals and some politicians, so I shouldn’t be too hard on them.”

“Good job I know you’re taking the piss out of me Constable. Come on, take me out to the countryside, I’ll point out the sites as we go along.”

Beautiful as rural Ontario is, it can’t hold a candle to the lush green Irish countryside, especially near the wild and unforgiving coast. A different way of life over there, slower, like the hands of an Irish clock take twice as long to rotate around the clock face.

“Well Lochlan, I’d say by the time we get back to the village it’ll be time for coffee via the Chocolatier, I’ll show you another route back.”

“Works for me.”

“That ramshackle place up on the hill, that’s the MacDermotts. If you have any business there, like serving a summons, I’d advise you don’t go in there alone, same goes for the McKinleys, they’re on the other side of our boundary, down on Swamp Road and it’s swampy all right. Clouds of blackflies and mosquitoes, don’t seem to bother them though. Oh, they both have security cameras, dogs running loose, some as big as donkeys. Always better to phone them and tell them to come down to the station rather than going into their compounds.”

“They’ll actually turn up?”

“Eventually, they don’t want police coming in with a warrant. If we have to go in we take the O.P.D. tactical team in with us. Last time we did that a couple of dogs got shot on both properties, thought we were going to have our very own Waco, Texas right here in Lakestone.”

“Bet that didn’t help police, public relations.”

“Nope.”

“Wait a minute, didn’t the O.P.D. lose one of their K-9 dogs, got shot didn’t it?”

“Yep, a couple of months after we executed the warrants. Reckon a sniper took it out, long range with a scope. Word is, young Conlan McKinley shot it, he’s favourite for it, crack shot too. They say the MacDermott’s chipped in. Whatever rifle was used, it’s long gone, melted down probably. All over stolen lawn tractors, never found one on either property other than their own legit ones.”

“How’s the handler doing?”

“Took his gun off him for a while. I know one thing, if he ever finds Conlan down a dark alley we’ll have one less McKinley to worry about. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but they put surveillance on him.”

“McKinley?”

“No, the dog handler. Figured he was going to take the law into his own hands. This isn’t common knowledge, and I’ll deny it if I’m ever asked. A little bird told me they caught the handler hiding in the bushes on Swamp Road waiting for Conlan to drive out in his truck. He’d got a spike belt all ready, a baseball bat and a plastic sheet opened out in the trunk of his car. It all got hushed up, swept under the carpet.”

“Holy fuck, that’s heavy shit. How did it get resolved?”

“Got him another dog, he’s their best K-9 handler and well liked, that’s what saved him from getting arrested and canned.”

“I like him already.”

“Figured you would, Jason’s a good cop, you’ll likely get to meet him.”

There was no room to park outside the Lakestone Chocolatier so I parked in the General Store parking lot, well away from the silver Aston Martin. They were right next door to one another so it wasn’t like we had far to walk. I always like opening the door into another world I can’t see from the outside, The Lakestone Chocolatier didn’t disappoint. Frank opened the ornate screen door, held it for me as I opened the main door, a bell tinkled, not one of those modern electrical things, this one must have been an antique, it rang when the wooden door frame collided against the metal spring. It had a pleasant ring to it. A head popped up from below the counter, a woman in her sixties, grey hair, big smile, glasses. She wiped her hands down her apron, two large rabbits embroidered on the front, one in a pink floral dress, the other in blue dungarees, both straight out of a Beatrix Potter book.  

“Mornin’ Pam.”

“Oh hi there Frank, this must be the new officer you were telling us about, come on in. The usual?”

“Yes please Pam. Make it three this time instead of four, wife says I have to cut back, lose a few pounds.”

“I don’t think one’s gonna make much difference Frank. Do some extra foot patrol, that’ll help.”

“You’re right, make it four then.”

“Four Grand Marnier truffles coming up.” She placed four of the truffles into a small brown paper bag. “Well aren’t you going to introduce me?”

 “Sorry Pam, this is Constable Lochlan Magee.”

“Call me Lochlan. What a great place you have here Pam, I don’t even know where to start, what would you recommend?” 

“What’s your favourite liqueur? No wait, you look like a man who drinks whiskey.”

“Why, do I have a drinker’s nose?”

“No,” she laughed. Not realizing we were doing it, Pam and I looked at Frank.

“What?”

“How very perceptive of you Pam. I’ll try two of your whiskey truffles please.”

“On the house Lochlan, welcome to Lakestone, you’re going to love it here. Are you married?” In that brief moment the joy and warmth I was feeling disappeared. She saw the sadness reflected in my eyes. “Oh I’m sorry Lochlan, it’s none of my business, I didn’t mean to pry.”

“I know what you’re up to Pam; is she in?”

“She’s running a bit late this morning, so I’m sorry Frank you’re not going to get your morning fix.”

Confused I had to ask, “What is going on here?”

“Pity, she always brightens up my day, as you do Pam of course.”

“Oh please Frank, save your flattery, or should I say, bullshit and anyway, that’s what they all say. Enjoy your coffee, guess that’s where you’re going now. Drop by anytime Lochlan, you’re always welcome. Your sergeant is too, sometimes.”

An interior door opened, two elderly, but sprightly women entered the main shop, both dressed from head to toe in red. Red coats, red toques, red scarfs and red boots, like elderly versions of Red Riding Hood. I almost said something, but recalled the last time my joke backfired at the front counter in Toronto. A woman, similar age and attire walked into the police station. She did not take kindly to being referred to as the fairy tale character. Turned out she was a devout Buddhist monk.

“Good morning ladies, what are you up to this morning?”

“Good morning Pam. Gladys and I are taking our usual morning walk by the river, aren’t we Gladys.”

“Yes we are Ruth. And who’s this handsome young man and I don’t mean you Sergeant Williams.”

“This is Constable Lochlan Magee, our new police officer,” said Pam beaming with excitement.     

“Pleased to meet you ladies,” I said smiling.

“We know what you’re thinking,” said Gladys eyeing me. “You’re probably wondering where our picnic baskets are.”

“No, the thought never entered my head. Actually I thought perhaps you were Buddhists.”

“Well that’s a new one,” said Ruth looking at her friend.

“We rent the apartment upstairs,” said Gladys. “If you’re in need of a place out of the elements and a cup of tea, you’re always welcome Constable Magee. We keep the outside light on if you come late in the evening, we’re both night owls.”

“Just come up the back stairs and announce yourself,” added Ruth. “If we don’t answer we’ve gone to bed.”

“Come on then Ruth, we don’t have time on our side anymore.” The women marched out of the shop as though they were heading to an imaginary parade ground for morning inspection.

“What is it with you Lochlan, I’ve served my whole bloody career in Lakestone and never got an invite up to their apartment.”

“Gaelic charm Sergeant. Some of us have it, some of us don’t.” He rolled his eyes, looking miffed.

The bell over the door tinkled again as we walked out onto the street. We turned right and headed on down to Coffee by the Lake. Bells above doors must be synonymous with small towns, the coffee shop wasn’t any different, in fact it sounded the same as the Chocolatier’s. Perhaps there was a run on reasonably priced antique door bells for shops.

For some reason I felt guilty. Here I was serving my community by driving around looking at the scenery, buying chocolate liqueurs and about to sit down to a cup of coffee. My police radio hadn’t squawked once. In downtown Toronto my head would be spinning by now with all the stacked-up calls waiting to be answered and that’s not including the 9-1-1 emergency calls for service. From gang shootings, homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies, assaults, break and enters and endless traffic accidents. But here, my biggest danger was likely to be obesity, that and burning my lips on hot coffee. Didn’t feel right somehow. I didn’t think I was going to be able to adjust to this slow pace. If I felt the same way after three weeks, I was quitting and going back to Toronto.

“You’ve gone very quiet, something bothering you?”

“What’s that Sarge?”

“I said you’ve gone very quiet.”

“It’s nothing.”

“What can I get for you this morning?” asked the slim, dark-haired young lady standing between the counter and a large hissing coffee machine that probably cost more than my truck.

“A large cup of dark roast coffee if you have it please, with cream, no sugar.”

“Cream and sugar’s behind you on the trolley.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re the new guy aren’t you?”

“I am, but I’ve already got a few hours under my belt this morning.”

“I’m Kristen.”

“Pleased to meet you Kristen. I’m Lochlan, Lochlan Magee.”

“I just love your name, it sounds so, well, rugged I suppose and mysterious.” She was smiling, I was too. “Here’s your coffee.” I handed her a five dollar bill. “Oh, this one’s on the house.” She looked at Frank. “That’ll be a dollar seventy-five Sergeant Williams.”

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered.

“Plus an extra loonie for the swear box. It’s for charity.”

I looked over my shoulder, a line of impatient customers were waiting in line. I handed my five dollars back over the counter. “He’s got a bad gambling problem, let me pay for him until he sorts himself out.” Kristen gave Frank a scolding look, but took the money. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you Lochlan. Hope to see you back in church, Sergeant Williams,” her voice reproachful.

I was adding cream to my coffee, aware that my sergeant was understandably red with rage, he was so angry he had to put his cup down before he spilled anymore.

“What is wrong with you?” he muttered under his breath. We seemed to be almost surrounded with the morning rush of coffee drinkers. “This is a small town, by the end of the day it’ll be all over town that I have a serious gambling problem, which, by the way I do not.”

“I never took you for the church pew kinda guy,” I replied, carrying my coffee to a small round table with two chairs. The place was bustling. I noticed a lady sitting alone reading a book, she looked like a feature of the place. “Mm this is good coffee, very good coffee.” I got up and walked over to the counter. Kristen had another helper this time. I beckoned her over and whispered in her ear. She smiled and burst out laughing. Frank looked like he was going to cry. I sat down again opposite him. “It’s okay Frank, I told Kristen I was joking, hence the laughter. But she says you still have to attend church.” That part wasn’t true. He sighed heavily with relief.

“Thank you, but don’t ever do that to me again, Constable.”