Randy came back out of the bathroom, still trying to sing his song. “What do you say, Alex. Are you ready to go?”

“Randy, you better take him quick,” Jackie said. “While he’s still available.”

As he walked away laughing, I threw the bag of ice at the back of his head.

I followed Randy to the airport so he could turn in his rental car, and then he hopped in my truck for the ride over to Leon’s house.

He was quiet for a few minutes, looking out the window at the passing trees. “There’s not a whole lot up there, is there,” he finally said.

“Besides trees?” I said. “No, there isn’t.”

“It’s kinda nice,” he said. “Big change from L.A.”

“I imagine.”

“Hey, we’re headed for Sault Ste. Marie, right?”

“Yeah, Leon lives in a little town called Rosedale, just south of the Soo.”

“I’ve never seen the Soo locks before,” he said. “I think we should go up there first, while there’s still daylight. Then we can go see Leon.”

“What? I thought you said Leon was waiting for us.”

“He’s not going anywhere,” he said. “Come on, you gotta show me the world-famous Soo locks. When am I ever gonna see them again?”

“Randy, the locks aren’t even open yet. Not for another week.”

“There’s another reason why I don’t want to see your partner yet,” he said. “I sort of have to tell you a little bit more about Maria first.”

“Why? What are you talking about?”

“It’s just… some stuff,” he said. “I want to tell you this myself, so you don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Just tell me.”