The second book in the Alpha and Omega series, 2009

Thanks to the daring young men and their flying machines, for letting us pick their brains: Clif Dyer of Sundance Aviation, and John Haakenson, director of airports and operations at the Port of Benton.

And to the usual suspects who read it when it’s bad so you don’t have to: Collin Briggs, Michael Briggs, Dave and Kath arine Carson, Michael Enzweiler (who also does a terrific job on the maps), Debbie Hill, Jean Matteucci, Anne Peters, Kaye and Kyle Roberson, and Anne Sowards.

And a very big thank-you to Cthulhu Bob Lovely for “Run ning Eagle.” I’m sure Charles will forgive us eventually.

SHE observed him from her chosen cover, as she’d done twice before. The first two times he’d been chopping wood, but today, after a heavy snowfall appropriate for the middle of December, he was shoveling the sidewalk. Today was the day she’d take him.

Heart in her mouth, she watched as he cleared the snow with carefully controlled violence. Every movement was exactly the same as the one before. Each slide of the shovel was strictly parallel to previous marks. And in his fierce control, she saw his rage, tamped and contained by will alone-like a pipe bomb.

Flattening herself and breathing lightly so he wouldn’t see her, she considered how she would do it. From behind, she thought, as fast as possible, to give him no time to react. One quick movement and it would all be over-if she didn’t lose her courage, as she had the first two times.