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in a few minutes.”
    When the courier reappeared, Amos was right behind him. “Lakat, come in here.”
    Sarah hurried in and sat across from Amos. “What did you get?”
    He showed her the telegram. “It’s from Mike Mahoney of Cordova. He got word from a relative in Sitka that a suspicious Personal was posted in their newspaper similar to the ones we have. He said since we’re closer, we should alert the law there and help investigate it. He’ll come down to help, if anything happens.”
    “When do you want to leave?”
    “We can take a rented flight from the airfield. Go home and pack clothes for a few days’ stay, and I’ll arrange for a plane and pilot. I’ll pick you up at your house in an hour.”
    “I’ll be waiting!” she shot back, closing the door behind her. Sarah rushed to her small house, only three blocks from the station, and grabbed a bag. Forty-five minutes later, packed and with the house closed down, she waited for the patrol car as she sat in a rocker on her porch, her bag at her feet.
    The auto pulled to the side of the street in front of the house, and Amos swung her bag into the back with his as Sarah climbed into the passenger seat. “Any trouble getting a plane?” she ventured.
    “Not when you tell them it’s business. We’re off when we get there.” He concentrated on the winding road to the airfield. When they arrived, there was a little transport plane warming up and a young pilot waving to them.
    Amos parked the patrol car near the airfield’s office and carried his bag and Sarah’s to the young man. “Lakat, this is our pilot, Bill Wright. Bill, this is my deputy, Sarah Lakat.”
    Sarah held out her hand to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed pilot. “Nice to meet you.”
    Bill acknowledged her and took their bags to store in a compartment of the plane. He waved them to the back. “There’s seats back there for passengers. You can strap yourselves in, and we’ll be off in five minutes.”
    The seats proved to be little more than cushioned metal frames bolted to the floor. Sarah and Amos found the ends of the safety belts that would hold them in the contraption. Finally, the craft started bumping along the grassy field. Sarah swallowed hard and closed her eyes. This was the first time she had flown, but she knew this was the fastest way to get to Sitka, so she didn’t tell Amos.
    About ten minutes into the flight, Sarah heard, “Lakat, are you all right?”
    She hesitated a moment. “Yes. Why do you ask?” She opened her eyes and peered at Amos.
    Amos tugged at his mustache with an amused glint. “You’re as pale as death. Is this the first time you’ve flown?”
    “Yes. But I can take it.”
    Amos broke out into a grin. “Swell. I hope I don’t have nursemaid duty when we get to Sitka.”
    She gave him an evil-eyed glare. “You won’t. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll handle this myself.” She closed her eyes again and rested her head against the metal bulkhead just as the little plane gave a jerk. Amos snorted as she rubbed the bump on the back of her head. “Not a word, Sheriff.” She glared at him.
    They arrived at Sitka without further incident, and the plane bumped along the grassy airfield there. When the craft stopped, Amos undid his safety belt and moved to help Sarah.
    She felt like her stomach was still up in the air, but she gathered her dignity about her as a shield. “I can handle my own belt, thank you!” To her dismay, as she rose her knees promptly buckled, and Amos caught her. It was disconcerting to have his arms around her, and an unwanted tingling went through her body. “I’m all right now.”
    Amos hesitated. “You sure?”
    She pressed her lips together. “I’m sure. You can let go of me now.” Willing her legs to hold her up, she straightened her clothing. “Come on.”
    Bill had their bags off the plane and waiting at the bottom of the steps. When they exited the plane, he held out his hand to Amos. “I hope the trip was smooth