Free In the Shadow of Death by Gwendolyn Southin Page B

“We can tackle the rest later.”
    They returned reluctantly after lunch to investigate the last drawerful of files. “Oh, what a wonderful name,” Maggie said.
    â€œWhat is?”
    â€œShadow Lake Mine. It’s on this contract.”
    â€œThat must be the name of the old mine . . . you know . . . near where the Jeep overturned.”
    â€œBut there’s no lake up there.” Suddenly, Maggie rose and ran upstairs. Minutes later, she was back with the map of central BC that Jodie had given her. She spread it on the coffee table. “Look,” she said, “there’s a Shadow Lake north of the Horsefly River.”
    â€œBut what about the mine near the ravine?”
    â€œHendrix told me that it to his knowledge it’s been closed for fifty years or so. What did Doug say it’s called?”
    â€œHe never talked about it to me. Just said it was an old mine and to stay away from it because it’s dangerous.”
    Maggie reached for the contract on which she had found the mine’s name. “It seems this Shadow Lake Mine was started in 1945—fourteen years ago—and there were six partners. They’re listed here at the end of the contract.”
    At that moment, they heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway, and the dogs began barking furiously. “Wonder who that is?” Kate said. She returned immediately, followed by Corporal Brossard, Constable Dempster and the two Labs. “Down, Jasper! Get down, Mellow.” She pulled the two dogs away from the harassed policemen. “Into the kitchen, the two of you!”
    Brossard carefully brushed the dog hairs off his uniform as he eyed the piles of paper on the desk.
    â€œI see you’re going through your husband’s files, Mrs. Guthrie. We need to see them, too.”
    â€œWhat do you expect to find?” Maggie asked.
    â€œA link with Sarazine, perhaps,” Brossard answered, not noticing the quick look between the two women. “Your husband disappears, then Sarazine gets shot . . . As I said this morning, it seems too much of a coincidence.”
    â€œYou can’t possibly think my husband’s disappearance is linked to that poor man’s death.” Maggie could see Kate was once again having trouble keeping control of her emotions, and she put a hand on her arm.
    Brossard nodded curtly. “We’ll be as quick as we can.” He walked over to the filing cabinet and then turned back to them. “I’ll call if I need clarification.”
    As soon as Brossard and Dempster’s backs were turned, Maggie picked up the Shadow Lake Mine folder from the chair and followed Kate into the kitchen. The two dogs, chastened, thumped their tails in greeting. Kate picked up the kettle and filled it. “I’ll make tea.”
    â€œGood idea,” Maggie answered, spreading the file on the table.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Kate asked.
    Maggie put her finger to her lips. “Shh.”
    â€œIs it the file about the mine?” Kate whispered.
    Maggie nodded. “I want to look at it before Brossard gets his hands on it.”
    Kate remained silent while Maggie carefully read through the document. “Shadow Lake is apparently a gold mine, and there were six men involved in it—your husband, Jack Chandler, George Fenwick, J. L. Macleod—my God, I wonder if that’s the Jock Macleod who owns those vicious dogs!—V.M. O’Connor and Lewis Sarazine.”
    â€œThe man in the Jeep,” Kate said excitedly.
    â€œYes,” Maggie repeated. “The man in the Jeep.” She took a sip of tea. “This was signed April 1945.”
    â€œAnd Douglas never ever mentioned it to me.” Then, hearing a sound in the hall, she added, “Is that Brossard leaving?” But instead of leaving, the RCMP officer appeared in the doorway to the kitchen.
    â€œThere seems little of interest in the files, Mrs. Guthrie. Do you know