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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1568 words<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Another chapter (following the start of the ice fishing contest)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The commotion on shore settled soon after the starting gun sounded. Spectators worked their way to the pavilion for warmth and refreshments. The contestants were quickly absorbed in the business of ice fishing. It would be hours before the atmosphere heated up again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Claudia secured the lens cap onto her camera and packed her gear into her backpack. She wouldn’t be required to report on the contest until closer to its conclusion. She strapped on her cross country skis and ventured onto the now-familiar trail that circled Doe Lake. She longed for some solitude away from the revelers and noisy snowmobiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The winners wouldn’t be announced until after three o’clock. She could complete the 10-mile loop before then. Claudia soon hit her stride, but her mind lingered behind like a faded love song long after the record needle was lifted at the end of an album. She wondered if Hank was shivering, sitting alone in his shanty. Or was Veronica keeping him warm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>I don’t care either way, Claudia tried to tell herself. She wouldn’t let another man play her for a fool, or trust the friendship of a woman who was obsessed with men. The scent of Veronica’s perfume on Hank’s collar had jolted Claudia out of her fantasy. She wasn’t a naïve school girl anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Even though Claudia had confided her affection for Officer Braun to her presumed friend, Ronnie had gone ahead and hooked up with Hank behind Claudia’s back. Why had Claudia been surprised? After returning from New York, Veronica had telephoned Claudia at home and work, but Claudia had refused to take her calls or call her back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Good riddance, she was thinking when a demanding voice intruded on her reverie.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Claudia, Claudia—wait up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Claudia at first thought she was imagining the first time Veronica had called out her name on the frigid Doe Lake trail New Year’s Day morning. She shook off the memory and picked up her pace. She was determined to get Ronnie and Hank out of her head.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Claudia, please wait up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>This time, Claudia stopped and looked over her shoulder to convince herself that Veronica wasn’t following her. But, there she was—full-figured in her fitted stretch pants and matching jacket—the picture of everything Claudia wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Not today, Veronica,” Claudia moaned. “Can’t you take a hint? I don’t want anything to do with you…or hank.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Claudia pushed off at a sprint, hoping to leave Veronica behind in a flurry of snow, but of course Veronica could out-pace her. In 10 strides, Ronnie managed to cut Claudia off, forcing her to an abrupt stop. Off-balance, Claudia crumpled to the ground, reduced like a child to indulge in a tantrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Why can’t you leave me alone? Give me a break. You can have Hank if you want him. I don’t want anything to do with either one of you.” Claudia thumped her gloved fist on the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Claudia, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not interested in Hank, other than as a cop. Give me a chance to explain.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“What’s to explain?” Claudia cried. I know you were with him before you went on your business trip. Your exotic perfume gave you away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Veronica reached to help Claudia stand, but Claudia yanked her arm away and Ronnie fell on top of her friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Get off me,” screamed Claudia. “I don’t need your help to stand. In fact, I can’t stand to be near you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica lay splayed atop Claudia, their skis tangled like pick-up sticks in the powder.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Damn it, Claudia. Don’t be so stubborn,” Veronica fought for control. “Let me explain. You’re gonna feel like a fool when I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“I’m no fool, Veronica. Maybe I mistook you for a friend at first, but I won’t be fooled a second time.” Claudia managed to get free. She unsnapped her ski bindings and struggled to her feet. Hands on hips, she glared at Veronica and kicked snow into her pretty face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Take that!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica was ready. She saw the kick coming and grabbed Claudia’s ankle mid-<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Air. Claudia collapsed in a heap and Veronica soon pinned her like a varsity wrestler would.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Now, now you listen to me, Claudia Krump. I don’t know where you got the idea I would cut into your time with Hank. Yeah, the guy’s attractive but he’s not my type.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Claudia tried to wriggle free but only succeeded in digging a deeper hole in the snow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Then tell me. Why would Hank have your rich scent all over him when he came over for lunch the day you left town?” Claudia spit snow off her chapped lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“If you’d stop fighting me, I’ll tell you.” Veronica tightened her grip. “We did meet for coffee that morning—not because it was a date. He’s a cop, remember? I asked him to investigate something for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Like investigate your finer features?” Claudia stiffened in apparent compliance. “Could you let me up now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“If you promise to listen,” Veronica said. She wiped melting snow from her face and scowled at Claudia. “Someone is threatening me, and I asked Hank to investigate.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica sat Indian-style on the cold trail beside Claudia and continued. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“First, someone left a threatening note on my desk at work. Another note was left in my mailbox at home. The creep even tracked me down in New York City. I was counting on Hank to figure out who is stalking me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Veronica, that’s awful,” Claudia said. “What kind of threats? Who would do that to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“That’s what I’d like to know,” Veronica hung her head. “I’ve got a couple of ideas—I hoped Hank could poke around while I was out of town and put the scare into someone so it would stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“And did he?” Claudia asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Hank might be good looking but he’s not such a top-notch detective. Looks like I’ll have to trap the bastard myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Claudia offered Veronica an arm, and they helped each other stand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Hank didn’t say anything to me about working for you when I accused him of—you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“I told him to keep it to himself. In a small town like Doe Lake, word gets out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Why didn’t you tell me yourself, Veronica? Friends don’t keep secrets, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Actually, Claudia, I was going to share another confidence with you when we were having lunch at Millwood, remember? But that’s when a second threatening note landed on my desk and I hustled you out so I could call Hank for advice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Now I remember…What were you going to tell me that day? I’m not sure how much more I can take.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Let’s start skiing and I’ll explain. This summer, I’m planning to leave Doe Lake…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica and Claudia matched stride while Veronica revealed her intention to move to Vermont and finish her book when her trust funds were released on her birthday. On the one hand, Claudia was delighted to learn that Ronnie was determined to complete her novel and, once and for all, escape the limelight of her mother. On the other hand…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica interrupted Claudia’s pity-party. “You understand Claudia, I don’t want anyone in Doe Lake to know my plans. They might figure out who I am, and then life would be impossible for me around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“I get it,” said Claudia, “but what about me? I’m gonna be stuck in Doe Lake forever, alone and miserable. And just when I thought I’d found a real friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“But you have, Claudia. In fact, I’ll prove to you what a good friend I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>As the women continued to cut tracks through the sparkling snow, Veronica divulged her idea for Claudia to apply for the vacant job at Millwood, and pursue her dream for a romantic relationship with Officer Braun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“You and Hank will fall in love and get married. You’ll have two cats in the yard and two kids in the back seat of your car,” Veronica teased. “But seriously, there’s one thing standing in the way of my plan, and that’s Hamilton, the ‘Hawk.’ You remember meeting her at the open house?” Veronica looked at Claudia’s face for recognition.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“The bitch with the beak-like nose?” Claudia lifted her eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“That’s the one. She wants a promotion that’s coming up to manage the Marketing Department, but I know the big wigs want to offer the job to me. I figure I’ll take the promotion just to stick it to Hamilton even though I’m leaving town. That way, you can step into the higher-paying job when I’m gone--check and checkmate.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“What makes you think I can do your job at Millwood? Or that Hank will fall in love with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Why wouldn’t he? And why couldn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Because you’re Veronica Barringer and I’m Claudia Krump,” said Claudia. “Our names spell it out. You’re a beauty queen and I’m a plain Jane. You’re Archie’s Veronica and I’m your side-kick bumbling Betty.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Veronica came to a sharp stop. “I can’t believe my ears,” she said, patting the sides of her head. “You’re not a plain Jane or bumbling Betty from the comic book. Why, you’re Claudia Krump, the intrepid small town newspaper reporter, the woman who is going to lead Doe Lake into the 20<sup>th</sup> century. Have confidence in yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“Okay, coach,” grumbled Claudia. “But I’m not convinced my future is as rosy as you seem to think.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal># # #<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>