In the Shadow of Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

roads that ran beside the tracks so narrow and dusty, that she wondered how people could possibly live in such isolation.
    In the small town of Lillooet, there was a half-hour layover, giving her time to stretch her legs and buy a take-out lunch. Feeling refreshed, she settled once again to watch the landscape change to sand dunes and hills that the winds had carved into miniature castles and fortresses. The only greenery in this sparse, desert-like area was stunted fir trees and an abundance of wild sage. When the train emerged from the desert, the track ran through forests and open ranchland and around lakes before a brief stop at Lac la Hache. Maggie, very tired and stiff, was glad that she would soon be in Williams Lake.
    Kate Guthrie, as good as her word, was at the station to meet her and soon had Maggie’s luggage in her Land Rover. Maggie, used to Jodie’s exuberance, found Kate extremely quiet and remote, and several attempts at starting up a conversation fell flat. By the time they reached the turnoff to the ranch, she was beginning to wonder if coming all this way was such a good idea. It was already dusk when they turned onto the private dirt road that led to the Guthries’ ranch. Kate turned off the engine in front of a large log house, and Maggie felt the peace of nature reaching out to her as she got out of the car and looked around. In the near distance, she could see barns and outbuildings settled on a gentle, sloping acreage, now enshrouded in a swirling mist. The strangeness of the scene was accentuated by an odd snuffling sound. She turned to find a number of brown and white cows, their heads hanging over a Russell fence, surveying her with interest. “Nice cows,” Maggie said, hastily backing away.
    â€œSteers,” Kate corrected her, “not cows.” She unloaded Maggie’s suitcases, and carrying them toward the front door, opened it to be immediately greeted by two huge golden Labs. After slobbering all over Kate, they turned their attention to Maggie, who found to her dismay that she was being pushed back toward the fenced-in steers. “Down! Down!” Kate ordered. Giving Maggie a final lick, they reluctantly followed Kate inside.
    â€œI’ll show you to your room. Supper will be ready in twenty minutes.” And still carrying Maggie’s luggage, Kate started to lead the way up the wide staircase.
    â€œI can manage those,” Maggie said, reaching for the cases. “Perhaps your husband . . . ”
    â€œMy husband is out of town,” the girl answered shortly.
    â€œThen let’s take one each,” Maggie said, firmly taking the largest out of Kate’s hands.
    After a long hot shower, Maggie found her way downstairs to join her hostess in a comfortable kitchen-cum-dining room. The honey maple oval table, set for two, was positioned in a bay window overlooking the lake. Kate, with the two Labs sitting at her feet on the lino-tiled floor, was perched on a stool drawn up to a workmanlike island, preparing a salad.
    â€œWhat can I do?” Maggie asked.
    â€œIt’s all done.” She poured Maggie a glass of wine and continued to chop.
    â€œAre there other guests at the ranch?” Maggie asked.
    â€œYou’re the only one at the moment. But we’re fully booked for the summer.” There was another uncomfortable silence, then Kate said suddenly, “Jodie told me you work in a detective agency.”
    Maggie, surprised at the comment, laughed. “Yes, though if someone had told me a couple of years ago that’s what I would be doing, I’d never have believed them.”
    â€œDo you investigate missing people?” Kate asked as she placed the food on the table.
    Maggie nodded and then sat down. “A great percentage of our services involve looking for people. Why? You mislaid someone?” She started to smile, but the look on the girl’s face stopped her.
    â€œIt’s Doug, my husband. He