Status Updates From Black Ice: A DreadfulWater ...

"I'm going to have gas," said Cruz.
"Thanks for the update."
"Don't tell the cats," said Cruz. "It will be my surprise."

Thumps unwrapped the cheese. It wasn't havarti, and it wasn't one of those French abominations. It was a rubbery lump of off-white plasticine, which reminded him of C-4.

Shadow Ranch was a sprawling complex banked against the western slope of the foothills. No matter how many times Thumps had been to the resort, he was always surprised to come up over the rise and see it all alone on the prairies, looking for all the world like the set for an epic western.
Or the long-lost city of an alien civilization.

Thumps turned to the woman. "This is Dr. Beth Mooney. Doctor and county coroner. Beth, this is Nora Gage."
"I'm guessing you're not the dead body," said Beth.
"Not today," said Gage.