A BJ Vinson Mystery Novel
PROLOGUE
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, South of Farmington, New Mexico
A lopsided moon daubed
wispy tendrils of scattered clouds with pewter. Glittering pinpricks of muted
light smeared the Milky Way while moon shine bleached the barren landscape
silver. Sharp-edged shadows shrouded the feet of mute, grotesque gargoyles of
clay and sandstone: hoodoos masquerading as monumental toadstools, spheroid
stones aping gigantic dinosaur eggs, and eroded clay hills with folds like
delicate lace drapery.
A great horned owl soared
above the high desert floor, its keen eyes scouring the panorama below. The
plumed predator dipped a wing and veered eastward, attracted by the dull
metallic shine of a large foreign object. Quickly discerning it represented no
culinary opportunity, the raptor flew in slow, ever-widening circles in search
of something more promising.
The huge bird’s flitting
shadow startled two figures, interrupting their heated argument. Both glanced
up quickly. Taking advantage of the moment, the larger man snaked a belt from
his waist and slipped behind the other. He whipped the leather strap over his
victim’s head, driving him to the ground with a knee to the back. After a
short, desperate struggle, the man sprawled in the cooling sand ceased to
resist. The violent tremors in his extremities passed, and he lay still.
Panting from his
exertions, the killer rose and began the hunt for a suitable crevice to hide
the body. It wasn’t difficult to find one in the unstable terrain of these
remote badlands. Satisfied his cairn of loose stones and sandy soil blended
well with the rest of this weird, other-world place, he turned and plodded
toward his distant vehicle.
Next Week: Installment One of Chapter 1
PS: Please feel free to comment. I'm interested in readers' reaction to my writing. Thanks.
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