Okay, I was desperate.
I walked over and called out, “Hey, fella.”
He sniffed my outstretched hand.
“Sorry, buddy. No snacks. Not for you or me. Here I am stuck in the middle of nowhere, tired, cold, and with no one to talk to.” I looked around. “It’s so damn quiet back here it gives me the creeps. Plus it’s going to get dark soon. If I could break into that house I would, but all the windows are closed and shuttered. I’m also getting hungry.”
I looked over at his feed bin in his covered shed. It was overflowing with oats. Did a neighbor feed him?
My stomach growled. “If I was a horse I’d eat that.”
He looked me directly in the eye, snorted, turned around and walked over to his comfortable shed and his damn oats.
“…Hey, was it something I said?” I turned away and plodded back through the snow over to a shuttered window and pulled hard. It wouldn’t budge.
So sue me. I had to try.
I looked back to the horse. His ass was facing me as he munched on his oats. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was making a personal statement. Shrugging, I turned.
Skis, here I come.
I was headed toward the front of the chalet when I heard a voice from behind me. I turned back to see who it was.
“I wondered who those skis out front belonged to.”
An older man dressed for skiing approached me.
I grinned. I was looking at my ski ticket out.
Chapter 18
Talk About An Escort Service
He took off his sunglasses. “Can I help you, Miss?”
Was that a slight accent?
He was tall and elegant-looking with gray hair and mustache and perfectly attired: black jacket, gloves, pants and ski boots.
But where were his poles and skis?
“I seem to have gotten separated from my ski instructor, then remembered passing this chalet and hiked back to ask for directions. I wasn’t sure how to get back to the village.”
“If you had followed the main ski tracks,” he said, “you would have ended up at the edge of Grindelwald.”
“But the tracks started to veer in different directions and I had visions of ending up wandering after dark.”
He looked out to the woods, and then turned back.
“Yes. Unfamiliar territory can be intimidating.”
I stuck out my hand. “By the way, I’m Samantha.”
He nodded and shook my hand. “And I am Hans.”
Wait a minute! All the shutters were locked.
“Are you a neighbor?”
“…No.”
Then what was he doing here?
As though reading my thoughts, Hans said, “Your skis stood out since this house has been vacant for a long time.”
Then why was the horse here? This didn’t wash.
“The trail is ideal: secluded and no tourists,” he said.
Yeah, especially behind this chalet, I thought.
My eyes darted about, taking in my surroundings. What was I thinking standing there in the middle of nowhere talking to him? I took another step. “I’d better get going.”
“Wait,” he said, latching onto my arm.
Surprised by his strength, my breath caught. He let go.
“Don’t wander too far. You might get hurt.”
I stepped back. What kind of warning was that?
“When the ski tracks veer right, take them. You will end up skiing right into the village by the pastry shop.”
That was across from my hotel. Did he know that too?
“I should escort you to make sure you don’t get hurt.”
Uh-uh. Then my hotel would definitely be confirmed.
We both turned when someone called out my name.
Perfect! “Peter must have hiked back and found me.”
Smiling, I quickly hustled toward the front, relieved to be seeing Peter for a safe escort back. But as I rounded the front of the chalet, I found it wasn’t Peter at all, but that handsome stud from the ski shop: Olaf.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“At lunch Peter bragged how skilled you were. I knew the trail he’d take and figured I would catch up to see for myself. I recognized your scarf hanging from the skis.”
“Oh, that red one. Your timing’s impeccable.” I turned half expecting to see Hans coming after me, but he hadn’t.
Olaf followed my gaze. “What? Is Peter back there?”
“No, just that man I was talking to.”
“What man?” Olaf asked, following me to the back.
But once there I saw only tracks in the snow. No Hans.
“I had lost Peter, then was hit quite hard…”
After I explained, Olaf said, “I’ll ski down with you.”
“But what about Peter?” I said, now upset.
Chapter 19
Escorts & Retorts
“Peter is an accomplished skier,” Olaf reassured me. “Don’t worry, he can take care of himself.”
“That’s not my point. What if something had happened to me? I’m not worried about him. I’m upset. He should have come back to check on me! It’s going to be dusk soon. Why would he leave me trailing behind like that and not come back to get me?”
“I did,” said a voice from behind us.
The wind had picked up, rustling the evergreens, so we hadn’t heard anyone’s approach. Startled, we both turned.
Peter was standing there, perspiring heavily.
From exertion or nervousness?
Had he heard my outburst?
“It was uphill, but I made it back. Are you okay, Sam?”
Okay? Okay?
I was furious and wanted to choke him, and somewhat suspicious. What kind of ski instructor abandons you on an isolated mountainside near dusk? Plus Clay set him up as my instructor. I had a few choice words for him too.
Olaf cut in. “Hey, remember who showed up first.”
“Yes, but for what?” accused Peter. “…A ski lesson?”
“I was testing the waters, that is all,” he said innocently.
As we walked back out to the front, I said, “We should get back to town before it gets dark, don’t you think? Now, which one of you gentlemen will lead the way?”
“Let’s show her how we ski backwards,” said Olaf.
“Then I can’t lose sight of her, right?” Peter cracked.
“Hey, maybe I should go first,” I said worried about sunset, while snapping my skis on and grabbing my poles.
They both gave a firm, “No!”
“And why not?” I asked, frowning.
Peter shook his head. “It would be safer if I led the way until you are more experienced.”
“But I thought you were bragging about me at lunch.”
“Yes, you are good, but I wasn’t bragging.”
“But Olaf said…” I glanced at Olaf, who shrugged.
Peter shook his head again, this time at Olaf. “…You!”
“You can’t blame me for trying. You have her all day.”
“I have a better idea,” said Peter.
Olaf stared suspiciously at him. “And what is that?”
“You start off first, then Samantha. I will ski last. Then I can keep an eye on both of you.”
I was flattered by Olaf’s attention and felt better about Peter’s concern for my safety.
“And I thought testosterone was high in the US,” I said.
“I hear it has something to do with altitude,” said Olaf.
“Remind me not to go skiing in Colorado or Utah.”
Olaf glanced at me uncertainly. “…Sarcasm, yes?”
“Yes, it’s one of her many assets,” laughed Peter
“And the one thing that’s predictable about me,” I said.
“Clay did mention that,” added Peter.
“Did he also mention I prefer not to be told what to do?”
“He did confide you were sensitive on the subject.”
I just stood there. “Good. Soooo…?”
“Would you mind skiing between us?” Peter asked.
I grinned. “Of course not. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
Shaking his head, Olaf took off. I was about to follow, but Peter put a hand on my shoulder and I turned. “What?”
“How about a quick drink at your hotel to talk…alone?”
“…Sure.” Then I took off speculating…
Why?
Chapter 20
The Why Of It & More
After I dropped off my skis and poles in the ski room, I went straight to the ladies’ restroom off the lobby. I didn’t dare head back to my suite, already knowing I would have to dance around the subject of why I was going back out to meet Peter downstairs. Intrigued, my partners in crime would insist on joining me just to see what I was up to.
That move had disaster written all over it.
After washing my face and finger combing my hair, I headed for the bar area. I was planning on a handful of snacks and an Advil chaser as soon as possible. I spotted Peter sitting at a secluded corner table off to the side and waved, walked over and sat down, carefully.
He laughed. “Sore?”
“Was it that obvious?” I said, pulling out my Advil.
“Here is some water for you and a bowl of snacks.”
After gobbling up a handful and washing down the pills, I sat back and sighed. “So, why did you want to see me?”
Having already ordered his drink, Peter took a quick sip.
“First, I wanted to caution you about getting too friendly with Olaf. He’s a lady-killer: loves them and leaves them.”
“Don’t worry. I already have one of my own.”
He gave a slight grin. “I assume you mean Clay.”
“The one and only.”
He chuckled. “Did Clay tell you when he was arriving?”
I smirked. “As if you didn’t know.”
“Clay did mention your wit…and your past.”
He knew. “One helps me deal with the other.”
“It must have been a shock how your husband died.”
“Yes, it was a complex puzzle that I finally solved.”
“I wanted to be up front in my knowing about your dead husband, Stephen.”
“I appreciate that. Then you should understand why I have an extremely suspicious nature and still have trust issues, which also includes the always elusive Clay.”
Peter laughed. “Smart. You will be safer that way.”
I grabbed a cracker. “What’s this meet-up really about?”
“I spoke to Olaf. Tell me what happened on the slope.”
I explained about the anonymous hit after I lost him on the trail and the elderly gentleman, Hans, behind the chalet.
“What did he look like?” he asked.
I gave Peter precise details: exactly as I remembered.
“Good observations,” said Peter. “Anything else?”
“I didn’t like how he appeared out of nowhere. Peter, what’s going on? You’re working with Clay, aren’t you?”
“…Yes. Clay needs you to mix, mingle and observe.”
“I didn’t think I was here for the ski lessons.”
“Keep your eyes open. Clay trusts your instincts.”
“My instincts are telling me there’s more, much more.”
He hesitated. “…I’m sure Clay wouldn’t mind me at least confiding we’re here as bodyguards to Herr Kraus.”
Chapter 21
Whatever For?
“About time someone told me.” Why hadn’t Clay?
“Herr Kraus hired Clay then he hired me. Clay figured with you and the ladies here, you would be able to mingle with guests to note any suspicious activity or conversations without drawing too much attention to yourselves.”
I grabbed a pretzel. “Well it might be a little too late.”
“Why is that?”
I explained about my Spanx.
“Could be something, could be random.”
“…But in this hotel? Why me? Why protect Kraus?”
“Why you? I don’t know. The other? I can’t tell you.”
I didn’t buy any of it.
“And Clay telling me to take ski lessons until he arrived? That sounded a little suspicious the way he dismissed the whole Spanx incident.”
He hesitated. “…So I could protect you during the day.”
“Eventually that’s what I figured was going on.”
“Still, it sounds unlikely that someone would target you so soon after you arrived. Your room is in your own name.”
“I think I’ve been linked to Clay,” I said. “But it doesn’t explain who would know Clay was involved with anything related to the owner of this exclusive hotel. Could someone have overheard Herr Kraus talking on the phone to Clay?”
“It’s possible.”
“Then I arrive and am given a not-so-subtle message.”
Peter carefully checked out the other bar patrons then said, “If Kraus was somehow overheard at some point…”
“I could also be way off-base on this,” I countered.
“Until we’re sure, take in what you see and hear.”
I was about to ask Peter about him being seen with Nick, but caution stepped in and I said nothing. I’d mention it to Clay when I caught up with him. Until then, I’d run today’s incidents by my crew for their take.
I looked at my watch and stood up. “I have to shower and get ready for dinner.”
Peter stood also. “I would appreciate you keeping this to yourself and not telling your friends.”
“And why not? Clay requested they be here too.”
“I’m concerned about your safety after that hit.”
That doesn’t make sense. Me not tell them? Not likely.
I gave a reassuring smile. “Then my lips are sealed.”
“Oh, Clay is working undercover. So don’t call him.”
Might be true. So I would hold off calling Clay for now.
“No problem,” I said. “I’ll touch base with you.”
But not right away. Like I said, I have trust issues.
Peter nodded then said, “Don’t forget tomorrow.”
“…Tomorrow?”
He grinned. “Ski lessons start at 8 am.”
Now, I ask you. Do I look like a glutton for punishment?
I grinned right back. “…I can’t wait.”
Chapter 22
Intimating & Ruminating
You’d think my crew hadn’t seen each other in months. After several attempts at dinner that evening, I was able to jump into their animated banter to get their complete attention. I described my adventure then finished with how Peter had warned me not to tell them about what had happened, I sat back and waited for their take.
“Aha,” laughed Hazel. “Our vacation turns mysterious!”
Betty leaned in. “I wonder who that gentleman was?”
Mona snickered. “Did you get his number for Martha?”
“My mind wasn’t thinking in that direction at the time.”
Mona gave Martha a suggestive look. “Hers always is.”
Martha waved off Mona’s snide comment. “I now check any potential merchandise for expiration dates and might even require a lie-detector test. I’ve gotten so burned lately I’ve become cautious and now suffer from call-reluctance.”
I began laughing. “Plus, he was good-looking.”
“If I meet him I’ll check out his shelf life,” she said.
“As long as he’s breathing, right?” asked Hazel.
Martha shot back, “Are you implying I’m desperate?”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m merely intimating…”
“Hey!” I said. “I need constructive input here, ladies.”
“The question is,” said Mona. “Was the hit intentional?”
“Well, I was standing in the middle of the ski trail.”
“Okay,” she said. “So it could pl
ay both ways.”
“Intentional and accidental,” offered Hazel.
“Right,” said Mona. “Let’s talk circumstances.”
“I was stopped because I was lost,” I said.
“So,” Martha speculated, “if you were being followed, they could have made it seem unintentional, but then…”
“…If it was this Hans fellow,” said Betty excitedly. “He could’ve backtracked to the chalet and…”
“…Acted like he accidentally found me there,” I added.
“Which might mean…what?” Martha asked.
“…So the next time I see him, I’ll recognize him?”
Mona shook her head. “Uh-uh. For what purpose?”
“That’s a sticking point, isn’t it?” said Betty.
“We might be over-reading this whole thing,” I said.
“Sounds like it,” said a disappointed Hazel.
Betty perked up. “Could it be a warning?”
“A warning for what?” asked Martha.
“Now why would someone be warning me?” I asked.
“…Maybe they aren’t warning you,” offered Mona.
“What do you mean?” I asked, but then understood.
Martha got it too. “You mean they’re warning Clay.”
Hazel nodded toward me. “You’re his weak spot.”
“Through me they get their message across,” I said.
“Back off or we get the love interest,” added Betty.
“That’s too simple,” I said. “There must be more to it.”
Martha tapped her finger. “It’s the why that’s iffy.”
“Yeah, the why of it,” I said. “…Why call off Clay?”
Why were Clay and Peter protecting Herr Kraus?
Chapter 23
Rising To The Occasion
So far, our collective brainstorming wasn’t exactly what I’d call successful. Nothing was accomplished other than we all agreed to disagree. No one could decide if my direct hit on the trail was accidental or really a warning. If it was a warning then who was warning me and why? Needing a break, I excused myself and left for the ladies room.
Death Knell In The Alps (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) Page 4
