Jane drove south to the mechanic's shop that was owned by the Snows. She pulled close to the garage doorway, got out, and walked to the front of her car. "Janie?" Jane turned her head and saw a dark-skinned man about her age wearing blue work pants, steel-toed boots, and a gray work shirt with an embroidered patch above the pocket that said RAY. Jane stepped up and hugged him. "It's great to see you, Ray. I was afraid you would be on vacation or something." "No, the guys who work for me get vacations. I'm always here, like the doorknob. Got a car problem?" "I wondered if you could do the scheduled maintenance on my car--you know, oil, filter, lube, check and replace belts and hoses--and then keep it here safe for at least a week or so." "I'd be glad to. You staying around here?" "I thought I'd go on a hike, like we used to when we were kids." Ray Snow's brows knitted. "You trying to find Jimmy?" Jane looked around to see if anyone else was in earshot. She smiled and said, "Not me. That's the police's job. I wouldn't want to get involved." "Well, that's good. A person would have to be stupid to do that." He whispered, "Give him my regards." Excerpted from A String of Beads by Thomas Perry All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.