Night of Shadows by Marilyn Haddrill & Doris Holmes

Author:Marilyn Haddrill & Doris Holmes [Haddrill, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sagecrest Publishing
Published: 2012-10-09T23:00:00+00:00

6

Ruidoso's specialty shops, motels, and restaurants stretched for several miles along both sides of a major highway that brought a diversity of visitors to the mountain playland. It was an isolated resort community, and tourists attracted here made the long drive primarily from sprawling, arid west Texas cities such as El Paso or Lubbock.

In the winter, skiers sought out the glistening white slopes of the landmark Sierra Blanca mountain peak. In the summer, gamblers embraced the cool delight of the horse racing track or indulged in a little casino action at the track or on the nearby Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.

From the backseat of Mac's spacious SUV, Melinda stared in contemplation at both the town and the tall pines surrounding it. Marking a drastic change in elevation, these majestic trees dwarfed the squatty pinons and desert brush that populated the McClure ranch from where they had departed early that morning.

It had been a quiet trip to their destination. Mac was driving. At Melinda's insistence, Preston rode with him up front. She preferred the greater privacy of the backseat, where she could be alone with her thoughts. Then she looked up to notice Mac's searching, dark eyes peering at her from the rearview mirror.

"You haven't said more than three sentences all morning," he observed. "You mad about something?"

She knew he was referring to their argument over the ad layout, which in retrospect now seemed childish and stupid. On her part as much as his.

"Not at all," Melinda said, as she thoughtfully twirled a strand of her hair. "I was just admiring the scenery. And thinking — about Connie and Debbie. What they might know."

Preston broke in. "You're wasting your time trying to talk to those two. I told you they were the first people I contacted after Joan went missing."

When Melinda said nothing in response, Mac spoke up. "Leave her be, Preston. The girls might confide something to Melinda they might not have wanted to tell you."

"I seriously doubt that."

Melinda was surprised at how surly Preston sounded today. And she was equally surprised that he more than Mac seemed most intent on convincing her that she could accomplish nothing here on Joan's behalf.

She shot a sharp look at the back of her brother-in-law's head. Had it been Preston who sneaked into Mac's office to leave her the note telling her to go back home to Atlanta?

The words had not sounded ominous. But they definitely had been written by someone who didn't want her around — and who at least pretended to have some knowledge about Joan's current whereabouts.

So far, Melinda had chosen not to mention the note until she could figure out who was responsible for it.

"Tell you what," Mac said. "I have a lot of business to take care of before tomorrow's races. So we'll have some lunch, then drop you off at our cabin. That will give you a chance to rest and make your arrangements with Joan's friends. Preston will check back later this afternoon and give you a ride, if you need to go anyplace.

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