Alaska Twilight by Colleen Coble Page A

accustomed to the presence of humans, they tend to wander into camps where they can become nuisances. In the worst cases, someone is attacked and injured or killed and the bear is shot. We’re not contributing to that scenario. Clear?”
    No one spoke for several long moments. “You’ll have to let me use my own judgment on when to approach a bear,” Kipp said. “I admit I miscalculated the sow with her cubs. That won’t happen again.”
    “It had better not happen with any bear.”
    “How am I to get useful footage if I’m not with the bears?” Kipp had recovered his aplomb. “I’ll be able to tell when it’s safe. I’ve gotten close to bears many times in the past. It’s part of what I’m famous for. I won’t be hobbled by your anxiety.”
    Tank caught Haley’s gaze and shrugged. He’d done all he could. If Kipp ended up in bear scat, there wasn’t much he could do about it.

    Rivulets of spring runoff flowed through the streets of Stalwart, turning the unpaved dirt roads into muddy quagmires. Heavy clay clung to Tank’s boots in clumps. He paused outside Chet’s office long enough to knock most of the mud off on the walk, then stepped inside, where he found Chet and Ed Bixby hunched over a sheaf of papers at Chet’s desk.
    The men looked up. “Have a seat,” Bixby said. “We just got back the autopsy report.”
    His voice was filled with a satisfaction that sent Tank’s gaze skittering to meet Chet’s. But his father-in-law kept his head down like a wounded animal. Tank sat and folded his arms across his chest. “What’s the autopsy say?”
    “There was Seconal in her bloodstream. Enough to knock her out.”
    “Seconal? What’s that?” His gaze went again to Chet.
    Chet’s head finally came up. “A barbiturate sometimes used as a sleeping aid or as a sedative for nervousness.”
    “Was that what was in the packet Libby found?”
    Ed nodded. “Who did you get it from?” He slipped the question in softly.
    Tank leaned over the desk. “Can I see the report?”
    “Suit yourself.” Ed shoved it at him.
    “Makes you wonder what could have been so bad at home, doesn’t it?” Ed asked. “Did you ever hurt her, Tank?”
    Tank’s boots hit the floor, and he stood so fast, the chair he was sitting on toppled to the floor with a clatter that made Chet jump. “I loved Leigh,” he said. “I would never have hurt her.” The doubt on Chet’s face pierced him as he turned and rushed away.

Eight
    T he bright May sun in a brilliant blue sky caused new life to grow almost visibly minute by minute. Haley watched, mesmerized, throughout the long days. The rest of the crew arrived from their break in Anchorage, and taping began in earnest. There were no more close calls with the bears, who seemed to grow used to the cameras and the man who talked to them.
    The day had warmed up, and she snapped pictures, then headed back to camp. She couldn’t remember ever having been so tired and knew it was from both mental and physical strain. Tonight she was particularly exhausted as she settled on a log and watched her companions. They were nearly as entertaining as Survivor .
    Haley glanced at the sky, bright though it was nine o’clock. She didn’t know if she’d ever get used to the nearly constant daylight. Lucky for her, she didn’t have to get used to it, she reminded herself. This exile was only temporary. Before she knew it, she would be back in the bright lights and excitement of the Valley of the Sun. Just thinking about Camelback Mountain looming over the Phoenix metro horizon made her loneliness increase.
    Augusta stood. “I’m restless. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
    Haley looked up. “Want to play euchre?”
    “No, I need to think about the book and stretch my legs.”
    “Not a good idea,” Tank said. “At least take the dog. His barking will keep any bears away.”
    Haley dragged herself to her feet. “I’ll go with you.”
    Augusta laughed. “You said that with all the