Beastly Winter — Chapter 16

Even with chains on the tires, Dale Branscom’s police cruiser slewed sideways as he parked, barely avoided scraping the side of the black and gold Jeep. Dale looked at it. Fancy, but what was it doing parked here? The CLOSED sign on the hardware store’s front door should mean no customers were inside. Perhaps Mac had simply forgotten to switch it around.

As he got out, Dale hitched up his gun belt, observing the Jeep’s ice-encrusted windshield. Inches-deep snow capped the roof. The vehicle must have been there overnight. He rested his gloved hand on the hood, brushed the windshield clear enough to peer inside. No one, he was relieved to learn, had frozen to death there.

Sheriff Harris had instructed him to randomly check a few businesses. Why, Dale wasn’t sure. The streets were empty. As the day dragged on, the storm would make unnecessary driving something to be avoided. Schools and government offices were ordered yesterday to shut down until further notice. Whatever Sheriff Harris ordered, though, Dale was happy to do. His boss deserved respect.

Due to a call from Claire Bunning, Dale decided to start with the hardware store. Claire didn’t drive so had no way to check on Mac. She thought maybe he had car trouble, maybe spending the night in the store, but Mac hadn’t answered her calls this morning.