Alaskan Mountain Pursuit Elizabeth Goddard (best short novels .TXT) 📖

Oh... I’ve gotta go now, but I wanted you to know just in case...well, that I love you...

Just in case what? That her plane crashed? At first, she actually thought Mom had been reminding Sylvie to be careful while scuba diving.

But to Mountain Cove? That meant all kinds of trouble.

The way she’d said I love you like it might be her last time, and the fearful tone in her voice, and Sylvie knew her message had layers of meaning. That she was scared. She’d brought up Damon. What had she been going to say? Was she finally trying to leave him?

And now she was dead.

Sylvie decided she should try to contact Ashley Wilson as soon as she made it back to Seattle. Her mother and Ashley, Damon’s assistant, were friends. Sylvie had joined them for lunch on occasion. Ashley might know something that Regina had failed to share with Sylvie.

But whatever Ashley might say, Sylvie could only think of one reason her mother would return to Mountain Cove.

She was running from Damon.

He would never believe she had gone there, since he knew about her bad memories of the town. It was the only place she could escape him.

Sylvie couldn’t forget that Damon was not only her stepfather, but he was also a powerful man. And apparently more dangerous than she could have imagined. Nausea roiled at the thought.

A chill ran over Sylvie. She glanced at Will, who still waited for her reply. She had to admit the man was patient.

“I’ve already talked to the Alaska State Troopers. I don’t have time to go to Mountain Cove. My vacation time is up in a week.”

“No need to go to Mountain Cove to talk to Chief Winters.” Will gestured behind Sylvie.

She turned and a man stepped forward from where he leaned against a column. Though he wasn’t dressed in uniform, she glanced back at Will. “Chief Winters?”

TEN

Will ushered Sylvie into the taxi that he’d called, and Chief Winters flanked her on the other side.

Inside the cab Sylvie’s wide, questioning eyes trapped him. “What was that about?”

“I was afraid the attackers might not let you walk away from the hospital without trying something else. I asked Chief Winters to come today as a favor, to make sure you were able to leave safely.”

Will wished they could have had a big security detail of Juneau Police or Alaska State Troopers, but Sylvie’s troubles didn’t rank, and all he could get was Chief Winters. This wasn’t even the man’s jurisdiction. The Alaska State Troopers were looking into Snake’s murder and investigating Sylvie’s story. They worked off facts, and Will and Sylvie didn’t have many to offer. Add to that Alaska was one-fifth the size of the lower forty-eight. The geography and remoteness presented barriers.

“Thanks, but...” She lifted fiery eyes to him, defiance burning in them. “I can’t live in hiding. I’m not going to hire a bodyguard to go with me everywhere.”

Now, there’s an idea. Something Will could have grinned about if this wasn’t serious.

Sure, he had a business to run, but he’d put it on hold until he resolved this. He had two planes to recoup and needed to discover the truth about what happened to his mother before he’d open up for business again. In the meantime, he referred his business to other bush pilot friends and hoped his regulars would come back when this was over.

“First things first.” Chief Winters rubbed his ear. “Let’s get some coffee. Grab some lunch. I’m starved. And you can tell me your story while we eat.”

Sylvie gave Will a look. She didn’t want to repeat herself. He understood, but he kept silent until they made it to their destination.

They entered the coffee shop a few streets over from the hospital. Chief Winters chose a booth in the far corner, his back to the wall. Of course. Following his lead, Will sat next to him, regretting his move when Sylvie slid in across from them. He hoped she didn’t feel as if she was under interrogation, with them ganged up against her. She eyed their surroundings, and Will did, too. A couple of older men at a table. A young mother coddling an infant and toddler with Cheerios while she waited for someone. The door chimed when another man entered and searched for a seat.

Was he someone following them? Someone bent on silencing Sylvie? Will continued to watch the man, while the waitress approached their booth and took their orders.

Will waited until she’d returned with their beverages then said to the chief, “Thanks again for agreeing to meet us.”

“Your mother was a friend, you know that.” Chief Winters sugared up his coffee. “I want to keep my finger on the pulse of this investigation.”

He glanced at Sylvie, who sipped iced tea and looked like a caged animal watching for an escape. So far, she hadn’t said a word since they’d left the cab. He’d hoped she would feel more comfortable with Chief Winters than with the Alaska State Troopers who had interrogated them both.

“I’m glad you’re out of the hospital,” Will said. “I can’t think of a less safe environment for you, confined to a bed like that, even with the security detail stationed at your door. I noticed he was conveniently gone today.”

“They’re spread too thin, Will, just as we all are.” The police chief shifted his gaze to Sylvie. “So, tell me about yourself.”

Will leaned against the seat back. With his easy ways, Chief Winters was good at getting people to talk, and Will was counting on that. But after half an hour, Will knew nothing more about things than he had before. At least Chief Winters heard her story, and Will could trust the man to stay in touch with his Alaska State Troopers counterparts regarding the investigation, if it went anywhere.

Sylvie pushed her emptied plate forward. “Thanks for the meal. Much better than hospital food. And, Will—” appreciation poured from her hazel eyes, but it was mingled with regret “—I know you