Canyon Shadows by Harper Vonna

Author:Harper, Vonna [Harper, Vonna]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Published: 2012-05-28T22:00:00+00:00

Rachele showed up nearly three hours after Maco had driven away with the dogs in the Jeep’s backseat. She’d called to let Shari know she’d be delayed but hadn’t said why, which left Shari wondering if she’d made a mistake hiring Rachele. Rachele understood what made dogs tick and had infinite patience with them, but was that reason enough? What, really, did she know about the strong young woman?

Nevertheless, watching Rachele approach filled Shari with relief because she was no longer alone. As far as she knew, Rachele never washed her pickup. The ancient thing probably didn’t have air-conditioning, which undoubtedly was why Rachele nearly always drove with the windows down and hadn’t bothered to replace the missing one at the rear. Rachele and her vehicle of choice belonged together. Both were independent with a take-me-as-you-see-me air. Up until the last few days, Shari had believed the same of herself. Now she wasn’t so sure and that pissed her off.

As Rachele, wearing her uniform of a sleeveless T-shirt and canvas shorts, jumped to the ground, Shari was again struck by the contrast between her employee’s confident demeanor and her petite body. Just the same, Rachele looked more serious than usual.

“Have you heard anything more from Maco?” she asked.

“He must be furious.”

Shari had told Rachele about the vandalism but of course not what had taken place before he’d gotten the call from his brother.

“He called about an hour ago. The loader can be salvaged, but it’s going to need a new engine. We didn’t talk long because the sheriff and the man from Homeland Security were there.”

“Any idea who did it?”

“Any number of people, unfortunately. I keep thinking about the ranchers I met the first day I was at the site. They were far from friendly. They’re scared that once the dam fills, most of the water will be sent south without enough left for local agriculture.”

“Do you think their fears are justified?”

“I don’t know.” Shari pressed a hand to her temple. “I have to confess I haven’t kept up with the issue.”

“A bit busy, are you?” When Shari started to reply, Rachele held up her hand. “You don’t need to answer that; I know how full your plate is. Who else qualifies as a suspect?”

“Greenspeakers. Have you heard of them?”

Rachele ran her hands through her hair. “Yeah. We need to talk.”

“What about?”

“Why I’m late.”

Shari’s heart felt as if someone were squeezing it. “Go on.”

Shaking her head, Rachele stared at the ground. Because it was easier than studying her employee, Shari did the same. A number of ants were crawling over what was left of an insect.

“I used to date a man who’s a Greenspeakers member,” Rachele said.

“You did?”

“Yeah, unfortunately. I didn’t know that at first; we didn’t have that many conversations, if you know what I’m saying. If you saw him, you’d understand the physical component.”

“Go on.”

“Yeah, I need to. Before long he started in on me to go to one of their meetings.”

Could Rachele have taken what Shari had

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