Reining in Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

Most cougars and coyotes had retreated to what little wilderness was left to them. Only occasionally, such as during a particularly bad winter, did they try to find prey as close as the farming community.
    â€œBut what we did find was interesting,” Dan continued. “A set of tire tracks from probably a midsized SUV stretching from the road to about two hundred feet from the crash site.”
    â€œWhere’d they stop?” Annie leaned forward.
    â€œOn the Truebloods’ property. They started from the east gate, which Cal says is seldom used. They’re fresh, all right. Neither Cal nor Mary have the slightest idea how they got there.
    â€œThen there’s two freshly dug post holes on the other side of the Truebloods’ fence line. No one knows how they got there, either, or for what purpose.”
    Annie thought for a moment. “I don’t recall seeing any cars or trucks on the road getting to you. But then, I could barely see in front of my face, what with the fog.”
    Dan nodded sadly. “We’re poking around, but chances are no one’s going to remember seeing a truck with mud-lined tires cruising the highway in the dead of night.”
    Annie silently agreed before she asked, “When was Wayne last seen alive?”
    â€œAccording to his VISA receipts, about an hour before at the steak house in Garver’s Corner. Wayne had himself a hefty T-bone, a diet Coke, paid his bill, then filled up his rig with gas at the local Shell. He got a bottled water to go and a candy bar. We found the empty wrapper on the floor of the cab.”
    â€œHow about the rig? Everything in working order?”
    â€œYup. Lights, brakes, steering system, oil levels—everything checked out.”
    There was a companionable silence while Annie assimilated the information.
    She looked up to see Dan staring at her. Slightly embarrassed, she blurted out, “You haven’t even asked me about the horse yet.”
    â€œHow’s the horse?”
    â€œDon’t ask. He’s got some kind of tooth problem—barely touched his hay last night and completely ignored my famous mash. At least he’s drinking.” Annie was still unreasonably upset that the bay hadn’t eaten her trademark feed that nearly provoked a stampede when Baby, Bess, Sam, and Rover so much as smelled it.
    â€œTough luck. Is Jessica coming over?”
    â€œShould be arriving anytime.”
    Dan cleared his throat.
    â€œHave you called Hilda yet?”
    Annie wheeled around from the kitchen sink, where she’d taken the breakfast dishes.
    â€œNo, I haven’t, and I don’t intend to until I know the state of her horse. I’m not having that woman tell me I caused her poor horse’s toothache until I get a professional opinion.”
    The crunch of tires on the road outside distracted Annie from further diatribe.
    â€œThat must be Jessica,” Annie said in surprise. “She’s right on time.”
    â€œWell, will wonders never cease,” Dan said. “Thanks for breakfast, Annie. I still say your skills are going to waste.”
    â€œThey most certainly are not,” Annie retorted. “ I enjoy my cooking very much.”
    Dan laughed. “Autopsy’s being done as we speak. I’ll let you know when anything new turns up. In the meantime, don’t let Hilda get to you.”
    â€œI’ll try,” Annie grumped. “But she just has a way about her.”
    â€œI know, I know. But the fact is she couldn’t be luckier having you take care of a horse that’s lucky to be alive at all. And you can tell her I said that.”
    For once, Annie was at a loss for words.

CHAPTER 4
    M ONDAY A FTERNOON , F EBRUARY 22 ND
    Annie would later reflect that her breakfast with Dan was the most enjoyable part of her day.
    Now, however, she was chagrined to see the bay standing at the paddock gate and bellowing to the empty field. The vet followed with