Hands Like Clouds

Ira Connaught has been found hanging from a tree in the forest above Tofino.  The coroner, Elias McCann , needs to determine why. His girlfriend, Vhanna is convinced that Ira's death is not a suicide, but rather a homicide. She is convinced that he must set an inquiry into the death into place.  The RCMP must be persuaded to open an investigation.

The autopsy reveals that Ira had been strangled almost to the point of death before being strung up in the tree.  McCann doesn't want the pathologist to tell the RCMP immediately.  He wants to start his own investigation before they are brought in.

As McCann begins to piece the evidence together, he believes that he can not yet involve the RCMP because they will have their hands full shortly escorting a visiting American senator.  That evening a young woman and her daughter die when their boat catches fire.  McCann is convinced that it is no accident.  Sergeant Gary Danchuk of the RCMP is upset with McCann because he has been conducting an unauthorised investigation on his own.

McCann and Vhanna find a store of dynamite in a cabin on a remote island.  Based on the numbers on the dynamite boxes, McCann is able to trace it back to a logging company.  He later finds out that the company's owner had sold it to Connaught.  How is the dynamite tied to the death of three people?

Matters turn for the worse when an attempt is made on McCann and Vhanna's life, which results in the death of an innocent victim.  Who is the real target?

Author Mark Zuehlke provides the reader with a few possible suspects, and a thrilling conclusion.