RANSVESTIA

RA

"Surely," said Hamilton dryly. He'd been a Homicide detective for over 10 years; so, the summons to the moutains and the speedy heli- copter ride from the airport, had indicated only one possible answer. But why him, from among all the Homicide detectives on the squad? Was he the most dispensable?

"We don't have anyone up here to handle anything like this, or so my boss says," the sheriff's face was bitter.

"Nor in the neighboring towns or counties?" Hamilton's question had been bugging him all the way on the plane ride west.

"Uh-huh," the sheriff shook his head. "This particular murder required a special type of cop, or so I'm told." His eyes made a sudden shift in Hamilton's direction. "I was told that you were the man for the job."

"Tell me about it," said Hamilton cautiously.

The car roared over the top of a rise in the road, and began to head down a twisting road, thickly wooded on either side with spruce and poplar trees. In the distance, Hamilton could see the blue-grey of a large lake, backed by tree-covered hills. Gantsby required all his attention to hurl the car about the hairpin corners of the swiftly descending road, again without the slightest slackening of speed. Around one final turn, the car swerved and Hamilton could see that the track was blocked by a combination of police and unmarked cars. The cruiser shuddered to a halt and it appeared to Bud that Gantsby was out of the car even before it had actually been braked to a halt.

Several troopers were standing about on the track, either by their cars or up against a gate over which was a large sign which read, 'Princess Lake Camp.' As far as Hamilton could see, there was a wide, barred gate, securely chained to a high wooden post to prevent entrance further down the road. A wire-mesh fence ran away from the gate in either direction, thick growths of willow and black birch further concealing any development from view. As he pursued Gantsby towards the gate, which one of the troopers was hurriedly opening for them, Hamilton also saw that the fence was topped with several strands of barbed wire. Whoever used the place, he thought,, sure didn't want any unexpected visitors.

33