Killer Descent by Paty Jager

Author:Paty Jager [Jager, Paty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: murder mystery, female amateur sleuth, Native American fiction
Publisher: Windtree Press
Published: 2016-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Shandra snuggled under the blanket on the couch reading up on a technique she wanted to apply to her “Free Spirit” vase. Sheba snored by the fire, and Ryan had his nose in his computer. He’d been engrossed for over an hour.

“What are you looking up?” she finally asked.

“Court records for cases Ms. Benham took to court. She has an unusually high number of pro-bono abuse cases. But her financial records show she is barely paying her bills.”

“You think she tried to blackmail her clients? Isn’t that unethical besides being illegal?” She thought about the woman who’d helped her nine years ago. “Dana doesn’t strike me as the type to use others sorrow to make money for herself. She worked long hours. When I talked with her, all she asked of me were the court costs. I sent her more later, after I left New Mexico.”

“Did you send it from Huckleberry?” Ryan’s eyes focused on her.

“No. It was when I was living with a friend in Montana.” Shandra flipped the magazine closed. “I think we need to focus on Tabby. She is the most likely to have blackmailed, had access to the rag and the pistol, and may have the best reason.”

“What reason would that be?” he asked, closing the computer.

“She isn’t Carl’s typical “victim”. I wonder if they didn’t have some kind of a partnership. She didn’t act like a grieving lover at the diner or at the lodge.”

“I have the P.I. looking into her as well.” Ryan leaned close. “I’m headed to bed.” He kissed her on the lips, lingered, then drew back and stood.

“Goodnight. Sheba and I will be heading to bed in a few minutes.” Shandra opened the magazine back up.

“I’ll lock the back door.” Ryan disappeared down the hall.

She watched his back. Once this was over, she wanted to forget about the past and try for a future with Ryan. Closing the magazine, she rose, turned off the lights, and entered her bedroom.

Sheba crawled up on the bed and took her spot at the foot, all sprawled out, tail at one side and her muzzle hanging over the other.

She climbed into bed, wondering how they’d fit Ryan in this bed when she was ready. Sheba wouldn’t like being ousted.

***

Shandra ran down the snow-covered mountain. Her heart pumped. Someone was chasing her. She felt the need to hide. A large pine tree stood to the left. She veered that direction, knowing the person could follow her tracks, but she wanted to be hidden rather than in the open ski run.

She ran into something as big around as a tree trunk but felt like cloth. She looked up a long leg. Hands held the contraptions that make marionettes move. She couldn’t see the face but blonde hair blew in the breeze. A woman.

Before Shandra could move, Tabby came into view. She smiled as her hand raised. Her red fingernails gave a wicked aura to the revolver in her hand. A revolver that looked like Ryan’s Glock.

“What have you done to Ryan?” Shandra asked, backing into the leg.

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