Death Takes a Gander Read Online Free Page B

back with a thick glove. “Are you sure some aren’t mallards? Large ducks, gray bodies, green heads?”
    Angela bristled. “I know a Canada geese when I see one. Large bird, grayish-brown body, black head, long neck, white chinstrap.” She gestured to the bird on the snow.
    “That is a Canada goose.” Eric said. It’s just… we don’t usually see them on Elk Lake in any numbers. Never in the quantity you’re talking.”
    She shrugged. “Then here’s your chance. They’re down near the fishing huts.”

CHAPTER 3
    It had taken Eric twenty minutes to track her down, and ten minutes for the two of them to backtrack to the path. By then, John Frakus, the newly appointed director of the Elk Park Chamber of Commerce, had discovered the geese. Angela heard him barking orders as she and Eric broke free of the trees.
    “I don’t give a damn how you do it. Just get those frickin’geese off the ice,” he yelled into his handheld radio.
    Angela glanced at Eric. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head.
    “I don’t think he has the best interests of the birds in mind,” she pointed out.
    “You’ll get no argument from me.”
    “There you are,” Frakus hollered, hailing them from the direction of the boat launch. Lowering his handheld, he stormed up the path. “What the hell is going on?”
    “We’re not sure, John,” replied Eric, tipping his head in Angela’s direction. “Angel discovered the geese on the ice. She called me.”
    Frakus turned on her. “You knew?” he bellowed. “You knew, and you didn’t do anything?”
    Angela’s hand instinctively moved toward her gun. Frakus was a big guy, and she didn’t like having him in her face. He was tall, like Eric, though more heavyset, and his neon-green snowsuit made him look like the Incredible Hulk.
    “I did something,” she replied. “I called him.”
    Eric leaped to her defense. “She couldn’t get out to the birds from where she was.”
    “Well, I’m damn well going to get to them,” hollered Frakus. “We have a fishing tournament kicking off in just under two hours.”
    Angela wet her lips. “It may take longer than that to—”
    Nearby, an engine coughed, then the roar of machinery drowned out her words.
    Frakus had already stopped listening. “Alright boys, let’s do it,” he said, yelling into the handheld again.
    Angela looked at Eric.
    “Do what?” she mouthed.
    Eric kept his eyes on Frakus, who waved his free arm in the air.
    “Start clearing the ice,” ordered Frakus.
    On Frakus’s command, the roar grew louder. Within seconds, two trucks equipped with plow blades, and a small Bobcat with a bucket attachment swerved into view on Highway 34.
    Frakus keyed the radio again. “Open the gate.”
    “Wait!” cried Angela, stepping forward. “You can’t just blade those geese off the ice.”
    Eric cupped his hand on Frakus’s shoulder. “You know, John, Angel’s right. We need to have a look at the birds. There’s no telling what’s wrong with them.”
    Frakus jerked his arm free. “I don’t have time for games, Linenger. You, of all people, should understand the stakes. This town has a lot of money tied up in this tournament.”
    “That may be,” Angela said, moving into position to block his path. “But we have a job to do. I’m charged with protecting these animals, and what you’re intending to do is against the law.”
    Frakus glowered. “So arrest me.”
    “I will if I have to.” She worked at curbing her temper and waited for his response.
    Frakus signaled his men to stand down. The engine noise dropped to an idle.
    That’s better . “Thank you.”
    Frakus batted away her words. “Tell me your plan.”
    “I—we,” she said, gesturing to Eric, “need to assess the situation before anyone gets on the ice. Once we know what we’re dealing with, I’ll make arrangements to have the birds removed.”
    “How long will it take?”
    “Who knows?” she said. “We don’t have any idea what’s wrong,