"Nick made another stop," the deputy continues, "early on. To see Vicki at the Two Forks Brewing Company."

"Vicki?" Nora is instantly alert. "Who is she?"

"Friend of my sister’s," Nick says gloomily.

"Nick came away carrying three beers, which he and his buddies proceeded to drink."

"Actually, I drank most of ‘em," admits Nick.

"Which explains why you left the Grapplin’ Bear and went out behind the Porta-Potties," the deputy says.

Nick reaches the nadir of gloom.