Competition Can Be Murder

"Putting sunny, dry New Mexico behind them, Charlie Parker and her husband Drake Langston head off to Scotland to help out a dear friend. Brian Swinney is facing a family illness and must take an extended leave to London. Thinking they can couple a generous favor with a long vacation in Scotland, Charlie and Drake agree to fly Brian's aircraft on a lucrative contract shuttling men and equipment to the North Sea oil rigs. However, they are painfully unaware of the escalating battle between the competing helicopter and boat outfitters that service the rigs." "Taking up residence in a cottage on the grounds of historic Dunworthy Castle outside of Inverness, Charlie becomes acquainted with Robert and Sarah Dunbar, laird and lady of the castle. The stately couple appears to be just down-to-earth ranching folks, but Charlie soon learns that some of the locals have dissenting views about Mr. Dunbar's rulings in Parliament and curse his name." "Upon learning that Charlie is an experienced investigator, Robert Dunbar implores her to start looking for his two missing lambs. He feels some of his land tenants, those that curse him, are the culprits. Not knowing one lamb from another, and feeling somewhat silly, Charlie muddles along, unaware that she is slowly picking up clues for an imminent and far more serious missing persons case. The Dunbar's grandson, Richie, disappears, and deadly ransom notes begin to arrive." Meanwhile, with every trip out to the oil rig, Charlie and Drake feel the narrowed-eyed looks and disparaging remarks from the union workers are a bit more sinister in nature. A cold, uneasy feeling rises in their guts. It's quite possible that Charlie and Drake have been tagged to be the victim's of someone else's battle.