In the Shadow of Death by Gwendolyn Southin Page B

he’s a married man, Mr. Hendrix.”
    â€œMore fool him. You’d think he’d know better after the first one.”
    â€œHave you any idea at all where he might be?”
    Hendrix slumped in his chair. “No,” he said in a grumpy voice. “At first I was sure he’d just gone off to tie one on. But it’s been too long now for that.”
    â€œYou’ve been with Doug a long time?”
    â€œYep. I worked for his father before that.”
    Maggie decided on another approach. “Look, Mr. Hendrix, I know you don’t think too highly of women, especially one who is an investigator. But I’m good at my job and I intend to find Douglas Guthrie, with or without your help.” She moved toward the stairs.
    â€œDon’t know what good you can do. But maybe Kate can do with a friend, anyhow.”

CHAPTER SIX
    M aggie and Kate stood on the dock and watched the single-engined Otter float plane slowly circle the lake and then touch down on the calm waters. The pilot throttled back as he taxied toward them and then cut the engine as the small plane gently nosed the dock. A young man in a tweed sports jacket and grey flannels stepped down onto the float and reached over the wing for the mooring line. “Hi, Kate!” he called. With one quick jump, he was on the dock and had begun tying the plane up.
    Maggie watched as someone inside the cabin handed three overnight bags down to him. Next out was a young blonde woman in pressed jeans, checkered shirt, and cowboy boots. She could be Vivienne’s daughter, Maggie thought. The auburn-haired man with the exaggerated moustache who followed her had to be Nordstrom, Maggie decided. After making sure the lines were secure, Nordstrom bent, picked up his bag, and the three of them walked up the dock. Jamie immediately put his arms around Kate and gave her a hug, but Christine merely nodded at her.
    â€œMaggie,” Kate said nervously, “I’d like you to meet Christine and Jamie, and this is Albert Nordstrom. This . . . this is Maggie Spencer. She’s really a detective but is on vacation and . . . ”
    â€œSo you’re Southby’s little lady,” Nordstrom interrupted, placing his beefy hand on Maggie’s shoulder. “I met your boss yesterday.”
    â€œSo he told me.” She smiled and neatly slipped from under his hand.
    â€œI thought we’d have lunch on the patio,” Kate said as they piled into the Rover and headed up the long gravel driveway to the house. “You’re both in your old rooms,” she added, nodding at her husband’s children, “and Albert, you’re in the guest bedroom on the ground floor.”
    â€œFine,” Nordstrom replied heartily. “Give us a few minutes to wash up and we’ll be right with you.” Maggie watched the brother and sister quickly disappear upstairs, their muted voices floating down as they talked together.
    Lunch proved to be an uncomfortable affair, to say the least. Kate tried hard to keep the conversation going, but Christine seemed determined to answer only in monosyllables.
    Nordstrom turned to Maggie, who was sitting at his right. “Your boss says he sent you up here to help Kate. Any leads so far?”
    â€œIt’s all got so complicated,” Kate cut in before Maggie could answer. “The police are looking for Douglas, there’s this man found dead in the ravine, and people keep telling me not to worry . . . ” Her petulant voice trailed off.
    Nordstrom nodded sympathetically and reached across the table to place his hand over hers. “Did you know the dead man?”
    Kate shook her head. “No, but Douglas apparently did. Brossard says his name was Lewis Sarazine.”
    Maggie, watching Nordstrom’s face, asked, “Did you know him?”
    â€œVaguely. Only saw him once, I think. He was one of Doug’s old partners in the mine.”
    â€œWhat was he doing on