Dead Deceiver by Victoria Houston Read Free Book Online Page A

hours so you have many, many variables here, Chief.”
    “Thank you, Doc,” said Lew. “Ray,” she waved at the figure waiting by the ATV, his arms loaded with tripods and lights. “Your turn. Let me know what I can do to help. Oh, and Doc, the ranger standing over there with Rob Beltner is Lorene Manson. She knows you need time with him so don’t hesitate.”
    As Ray scrambled down the path along the snow bank towards the bridge, Osborne stepped to the side to keep out of his way, taking care to disturb the snow on both sides as little as possible.
    “Say, Chief,” said Ray as he neared Lew, “I saw those boot prints back by the access road. Got good shots of them walking away and returning. I see more in this area but we have enough close-ups. How ‘bout I shoot from a distance to show the range of activity around here. Need more than that?”
    “Problem is, there’s no sign of Mrs. Beltner’s snowshoes,” said Lew. “I was hoping you could take the time to search for them. Might give us some idea where she met up with the person who killed her because there is no evidence that she was shot anywhere around here. No blood spatter, nothing. And if anyone can find where it happened, it’s you, Ray.”
    “Yikes,” said Ray, “on a night like this that could take a while. It’s not the dark, Chief, it’s the snow that’s covering everything—I’d be better off searching in the daylight.”
    “Well, just so you’re in my office first thing in the morning. Got a call from Roger about you scattering someone’s ashes on private property without permission. You and I need to get that matter resolved—”
    “I know, I know and I’m sorry about that but I didn’t do anything wrong.” Ray set his tripods down and, hands on his hips, said in an exasperated tone, “I tried … to explain to those people that ‘wildcat … scatterings’ … are … legal. It’s a new and accepted practice in the burial business.”
    “A wildcat what?” Lew sounded incredulous. “But, hey, I don’t have time for this now. In the morning.”
    “Say … ah … Chief, I have a kinda life changing m-e-e-e-et-ing at nine?” said Ray, wheedling with raised eyebrows. He waited.
    “Yes, you do. In my office. It likely affects if I am able to deputize you again … ever.”
    Ray said in a chagrined tone: “I have an audition for that reality show … if you’re late, you don’t get another chance. The producers only got two days to do over a hundred people …”
    Lew hesitated a long minute then gave in. “All right but immediately afterwards, Ray. My office. I’m sorry but this ashes issue could involve the Mayor and the City Council. That was the Wheedon College president whose land you trespassed on.
    “Promise me that following our meeting you’ll head back out here. Okay? Terry will cordon off the entire trail and the access road as we leave here tonight. No one will be allowed in until you have covered the territory.”
    “That works, Chief. That works great—and I promise I will search every inch of this place—north, south, east and west,” said Ray, waving his arms to include the universe.

C HAPTER 9
    B ack on the trail, Osborne walked to a spot about twenty feet from the west end of the bridge where Rob Beltner was standing with the forest ranger. Both were quietly watching Ray as he set up his tripods along the snow bank near the bridge. Figuring that for Rob, watching Ray shoot photos was kind of like watching his house burn, Osborne thought it wise to divert his attention.
    “Hello, Rob,” said Osborne, trying for the low, reassuring voice he had perfected for calming patients anxious over pending root canals. He reached to shake the man’s hand saying, “I believe Chief Ferris told you that I would be standing in as acting coroner due to Mr. Pecore’s accident?”
    “Yes, she did, Dr. Osborne,” said Rob, “not sure what you need from me, though. I’ll do my best.”
    “What you can’t