The Alpine Xanadu by Mary Daheim Read Free Book Online

“I’m heading up there to interview Dr. Farrell. Maybe I’ll go now, just in case that’s where it happened. Wayne was working on some glitch when I was there before noon.”
    Vida nodded. “I must call Dot Parker. She was never fond of her son-in-law, but she’ll feel sorry for Cookie. The Erikses have had more than their share of problems. First their son, Ringo, died in a rafting accident, then Tiffany’s husband, Tim, was murdered, and now Wayne is dead. Don’t forget his brother Mel’s sister-in-law, Crystal. She came to a dreadful end. They do seem hexed.”
    “Hexed?” Mitch echoed. “They sound doomed.”
    I wondered if Mitch was thinking that maybe his own problems weren’t as horrific by comparison. But I didn’t take time to carry on a conversation, especially if it involved Crystal Bird, my onetime nemesis. I was too curious about where and how Wayne had died. Telling Kip to stand by in case our power was restored, I headed out into what had subsided to our normal February rain.
    No freight trains held me up, but there were big puddles of water on Front Street and River Road. I was forced to drive slowly, and once I passed the golf course, I could see an ambulance blocking the entrance to RestHaven’s sloping driveway. I pulled onto the verge, trying to spot Milo’s Yukon. Just as I was about to get out of my car the fire engine pulled out. It was only then that I spotted the sheriff standing by the medic van and talking to Del Amundson, one of the drivers.
    As I trudged to where they were talking, I saw Sam Heppner and the only female deputy, Doe Jamison, getting into a cruiser. This was the first time I’d assumed my editor’s role—except for our own frightening story—since Milo and I became engaged. To my surprise, I felt awkward.
    Sam and Doe took off just as I reached Milo and the medic. “Hi, Emma,” the sheriff said. “Your power’s back on?”
    I shook my head. “Not yet.”
    His hazel eyes turned wary. “How’d you know where Eriks was?”
    “I’m here to interview Dr. Farrell,” I said, my awkwardness overcome by annoyance. “Besides, the last time I saw Wayne Eriks he was here at RestHaven.”
    Milo nodded vaguely. “It probably was an accident with a hot wire. The dumb shit had taken his gloves off. Doc Dewey can do his thing now.” He gestured over his shoulder at the river, which was running high and off-color. “Weird. Almost the same spot where Ursula O’Toole Randall was found facedown in the Sky.”
    I thought back to the long-ago incident that had occurred while Milo and I had been a couple the first time around. I wondered if the site was jinxed. “That’s it?” I said, nodding at Del, who’d given the sheriff a semi-salute before heading to the medic van.
    “What did you expect? Somebody shot him and he fell off the pole? The ambulance is heading out,” Milo continued as the vehicle descended the driveway. “Eriks is on the way to the morgue. You want pictures?”
    Del had pulled out and was making a U-turn on River Road. Milo and I both stepped out of the way. “I didn’t bring a camera.”
    “Good thing. You take lousy pictures.”
    I waited until the van had passed us. “You’re in a lousy mood.”
    Milo grabbed my arm. “Buy those crabs. Goddamn it, Emma, I could cart you off now if I didn’t have to fill out a bunch of paperwork.”
    I stared up at him. “You’re free of Tricia and Tanya?”
    “You bet.” He grinned and squeezed my arm. “Now beat it, before I ruin our staid new public image.”
    “Okay,” I said meekly. “What if they don’t have crab?”
    The sheriff had let go of my arm and started to turn toward his SUV. “I don’t give a shit. I’ll eat sawdust if that’s all you’ve got.”
    Smiling, I went back to my Honda, but waited for Milo to drive away first. He waved as he passed by. I was still smiling as I got out of the car and headed for the entrance. But my smile faded when I went inside. A half-dozen