Free Winter's Secret by Lyn Cote Page B

the west every day." Rodd shrugged. Spending a day away from the county with an interesting woman like Wendy—while getting started again on solving the burglaries—was worth a little slippery driving.
     
    "Well, they say it's just a weak one," Harlan conceded. Then, grinning, he shook his finger at Rodd. "If it weren't, I'd make you two postpone this trip. Winter driving is nothing to take for granted."
     
    Rodd took a step toward the door, but Wendy hung back.
     
    She patted Harlan's shoulder. "Don't worry, Grandfather. I have everything I need for a winter emergency in the old Blazer."
     
    "But you don't have four-wheel drive," Harlan said.
     
    "We'll be back before nightfall, safe and sound." Rodd touched Wendy's delicate shoulder, pointing toward the door. He wanted her sitting beside him in the Blazer, putting miles between them and Steadfast.
     
    After kissing his granddaughter, Harlan waved them on. "Okay! Have fun, kids!"
     
    Outside, Rodd helped Wendy into her Blazer, which had Harlan's empty trailer hitched to its rear. As Rodd drove away, she waved good-bye to Harlan while snowflakes drifted against the windshield. She drew her legs up under her and turned toward him with an eager grin. "I feel like we're escaping."
     
    Happy to see her relaxing, he smiled and cocked his head toward her. "I couldn't agree more."
     
    She sighed a happy sigh. "I did feel funny asking Grandfather to let us leave from his place. It felt like we were sneaking out of town."
     
    Recalling the confrontations with Cram and Veda McCracken at the cafe, he'd decided that leaving from Harlan's—so far out of town—would be best for his investigation and for Wendy. "There's no reason for us to advertise what we're doing."
     
    Wendy agreed. "And I told only Grandfather that this new snowmobile is really for you, not me. But since it would be natural for me to keep it at Grandfather's place, we'll let everyone else assume it's mine."
     
    "Thanks. It probably is a good idea." Rodd shook his head over the necessary deception. With a snowmobile of his own, he wouldn't be left standing in the thief's dust again. "If there's any chance after the Olson stakeout that the burglar will try again, I can't afford to let him find out I'm buying a snowmobile right now. I want him to think he still has that edge."
     
    Wendy nodded. "The sheriff's old 'bile was wrecked before he passed away. Your department needs a new one."
     
    Her understanding bolstered his mood and gave him a confidence he hadn't felt lately. "That's what I want everyone to think—that the department snowmobile is still out of commission."
     
    "Do you think the burglar will try again after he saw you at Olie's?"
     
    Noting the snowfall intensifying, Rodd gripped the wheel, mastering his lingering reluctance. Under ordinary circumstances, he'd never discuss ongoing investigations with a civilian. But Wendy had become enmeshed in this one. And she knew the county better than he did. He needed her information in order to catch the thief. "My biggest problem has been the lack of witnesses and no physical evidence to link anyone to the burglaries—no fingerprints, nothing left at the scenes." The criminal's snowmobile's tread he'd cast had no distinctive differences from a dozen others he had examined, and the nick on the tree trunk had led him nowhere."The first four burglaries appeared to me to be the work of an opportunist. Someone saw an easy, safe way to pick up quick cash."
     
     
     
    Eyeing the heavy snow clouds, Wendy nodded, a lump lodged in her throat. Her unknowing role in the string of crimes still depressed her. And the way the sky looked didn't help.
     
    "When an opportunist's easy way is detected, he usually comes up with a new MO. Or quits."
     
    She watched the play of emotion over the sheriff's face. The desire to trace the hard line of his jaw shook her. She clasped her unruly hands in her lap. "So we just have to wait and see what he does