Deadfall (31 page)

Authors: Sue Henry

For a second or two she was silent, considering, before shaking her head.

“I keep remembering a thing I learned a long time ago. If some part of a relationship doesn’t quite work right, either I’m taking too much responsibility for someone else or I’m letting someone else take too much for me. I’d like to have a better moment-to-moment balance, not just hindsight. I’m not there yet.”

He turned his head to look out at the waters of the cove, absent-mindedly rubbed Tank’s ears, and puffed a cloud of fragrant smoke toward the nearest island. She watched his expressions shift as he thought over what she had said: puzzlement, disappointment, concern, mild amusement, and several that she couldn’t identify. Eventually he nodded as if affirming something for himself, turned back to her, and smiled a little anxiously.

“But you’re going to stick around and explore these ideas?”

“Of course. I love you, Alex, but I need unlimited time without pressure.”

“Okay.” He grinned. “Time we’ve got lots of…but the earring gets replaced.”

Jessie laughed.

“I don’t think you can buy just one earring.”

“Watch me. Besides, I still owe you a birthday dinner.”

“That’s
right
, you do. And don’t kid yourself—I intend to collect.”

She stood up. “Come on. Let’s go clean up Millie’s kitchen.”

He gave Tank a last pat and Jessie a mischievous grin.

“Naw. Later. Let’s make the bed first.”

“Hmmm.”

Acknowledgments

As always, many thanks are due:

To my family and friends for their enthusiasm and support, without which being a writer would be a lonely occupation, indeed. Particularly to the Abbott clan for their trust and affection. To Pat and Ray Agen, and the mechanics at the Agen Automotive, for keeping my research vehicles running and for providing information on how to successfully damage a brake line. To Michael W. Eaton, M.D., magical orthopedic surgeon, for keeping this researcher running (well, at least moving) and able to sit at my computer without pain. To his office staff: Debra Ford, Linda Casey, and, especially, Barry McQuade for information on -dislocations and their treatment.

About the Author

SUE HENRY
, whose award-winning Alaska mysteries have received the highest praise from readers and critics alike, has lived in Alaska for over a quarter of a century, and brings history, Alaskan lore, and the majestic beauty of the vast landscape to her mysteries. Based in Anchorage, where she teaches writing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, she is currently at work on the next book in this series.

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Raves
for Sue Henry’s Alaska Mysteries

DEATH TAKES PASSAGE

“Spectacular…Readers can enjoy a scenic cruise down Alaska’s Inside Passage along with a good mystery.”

Oklahoma City Oklahoman

SLEEPING LADY

“Twice as vivid as Michener’s natural Alaska, at about a thousandth the length.”

Washington Post Book World

TERMINATION DUST

“Absorbing…spectacular…compelling…a marvelous and fascinating experience.”

The Mystery Review

MUDER ON THE IDITAROD TRAIL

“Excellent…realistic and convincing…well-paced, well-conceived, engrossing…moves along like a healthy, well-trained dog team on a 1,000 mile race.”

Anchorage Times

Books by Sue Henry

D
EATH
T
RAP

C
OLD
C
OMPANY

D
EAD
N
ORTH

B
ENEATH THE
A
SHES

M
URDER ON THE
Y
UKON
Q
UEST

D
EADFALL

D
EATH
T
AKES
P
ASSAGE

S
LEEPING
L
ADY

T
ERMINATION
D
UST

M
URDER ON THE
I
DITAROD
T
RAIL

Copyright

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEADFALL
. Copyright © 1998 by Sue Henry. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

Adobe Digital Edition April 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-193066-9

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