Murder in Mountain Springs

by Alene Anderson

  “Who gave out the information I was here in Mountain Springs?” he asked his boss.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I got back from Salt Lake and I had three calls from women I knew there in D.C. I thought this mission was secret.”

  “You have got to be kidding. I have no clue as to how the information leaked out. I will check with my secretary. If she has given it out, I’m going to fire her.”

  “I hope it doesn’t compromise this assignment in any way,” Jake grumbled. “You know what big mouths women can have.”

  “Check in with me tomorrow and I’ll let you know what I find out. Might be a good idea if you don’t return those calls.”

  “Don’t worry, I have no intention of doing so.”

  Jake continued to disappear for hours at a time with no explanation as to where he had been. Kate couldn’t help but wonder if he had managed to gain admittance into the health spa. Something kept her from asking him, but the more she thought about it, the more she was certain he had. Where else could he be spending hours of his time here in Mountain Springs? But why should it matter to her, she scolded herself, he was not the kind of man she should be attracted to.

  She tried to avoid him by not going to breakfast at the time she knew he would be there. When both Felicia and Megan called back, she was secretly happy he obviously hadn’t returned two of the calls. Although why she should care now, she didn’t know. It was obvious he was a playboy and not the kind of man she would ever want to have a relationship with. She was sure he couldn’t be trusted. Obviously, he had lied to her about being from Los Angeles. All three women who had called had given a 202 number, which she knew was Washington, D.C.

  But she continued to watch for him to drive in and out of the Lodge and always made sure she was busy in her own apartment if she saw him heading toward the office.

  Several days later, she had finished checking two men in for a week of fishing, when she saw Jake drive in and stop in front of the lodge. She knew there would be no avoiding him now. She handed the men their keys and made an attempt at a pleasant smile when Jake walked into the office.

  He stood aside as the men left the office and then leaned against the doorframe. Kate pretended to be busy with some paper work, but when he didn’t speak, she finally looked up.

  “Did you need something?” she asked.

  “Yes, I want to know why you’ve been avoiding me since I returned from Salt Lake.”

  Kate could not believe what she was hearing. She had to bite her tongue to keep from saying the thought that had popped into her head. Even though she knew it was probably the truth, she knew it wouldn’t be a very nice thing to say.

  “I’m sorry,” she said in a sugary-sweet voice. “I didn’t realize you would think I was avoiding you. I have been incredibly busy.” She gave him a bright smile. “Jennifer may be coming home sooner than I had planned and there is a lot to get done before she arrives. I need to fix up her room, sign her up for gymnastics, dancing, and horseback riding.” She stopped.

  “Hank didn’t tell me,” he said. “That’s great. I know how much you have missed her.”

  “Was there something else you wanted?” she asked, as he didn’t make a move to leave.

  “Yes, I saw in the morning newspaper Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats is playing at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If I got a couple of tickets, would you like to go?”

  “With you?” she asked.

  He stared at her through narrowed eyes but didn’t reply.

  “I don’t like to drive down to Lava Cove at night,” she said when he didn’t answer. “We would get home late and I have to be up early in the morning. I would be tired and cranky the next day because I didn’t get enough sleep.”

  He grinned. “I can handle tired and cranky.”

  “I’ll think about it and let you know,” she finally said when he made no move to leave.

  As he left the lodge, Jake had a feeling Kate would find a reason not to go. Struggling with a feeling of disappointment, he had a hard time believing a refusal from Kate to go to the concert would put him on such a downer.

  He knew it was the calls. They had totally changed Kate’s feelings for him. He was sure she had begun to care for him. What was he going to do now? How could he get her to change her mind about going to Cats? He wasn’t use to women refusing to go out with him. He was playing in a whole new ball game and he didn’t even know the rules.

  He knew it had nothing to do with the drive into the edge of Lava Cove to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It had to do with those calls from D.C.

  Wondering what his boss might have found out he backed his Jeep around and headed into town to the pay phone.

  “Mike,” he said when he heard the voice on the other end of the line. “What did you find out about my number here in Mountain Springs being given out?”

  “It was all very innocent,” Mike replied. “My secretary thought it was a number where you could be reached if anyone called in for you. She didn’t realize it was not to be given out.”

  “I certainly hope you make your instructions clearer the next time,” Jake complained. “You can’t believe what a fix I’m in because of all those calls.”

  “What are you talking about? Has someone there found out who you really are?”

  “I hope not. Or plans for the raid will be over before it even begins.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  Jake had to scramble for an answer. He didn’t want Mike to know about his feelings for Kate. “All these calls are coming from D.C. and I’ve told everyone I’m an attorney from Los Angeles.”

  “Tell them the truth. You got your law degree from Georgetown University. You know a lot of people in D.C., or should I qualify by saying a lot of women in D.C.”

  “That could work. Just be sure your secretary doesn’t give it out to anyone else.”

  “It won’t happen again,” Mike said and rang off.

  It might not happen again, but what if one of the three women had given the number to some other woman he had known? Once again he regretted the life style he had led while in D.C.

  As Jake drove back up to the lodge, he tried to think of a way he could convince Kate to go to Cats with him. He wanted, correct that, he needed to spend an evening alone with her. He desperately needed to talk to her. This was something new for him. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a clue how he could get Kate to agree to go with him.

  There was only one thing to do and he would do it as soon as he got back to the lodge. He just hoped she was still in the office. He wanted her to hear the call he was going to make.

  When Kate saw Jake head out of the lodge in his Jeep, she was sure he would be gone for a while. Probably for the rest of the day. She spread her books out on the counter to calculate how many more reservations she would need to reach the breakeven point she was hoping to make by the end of fall. She was deep in the numbers and hadn’t realized Jake was back at the lodge until he walked into the office.

  “I didn’t expect you back this soon,” she said without thinking.

  “Finished my business in town faster than I thought I would. Do you mind if I borrow your phone to make a call?”

  “Why don’t you have a cell phone like everyone else has?”

  For a moment he stared at her as though stumped by her question.

  “Just hate to have people tracking me down through a cell phone,” he finally said.

  “Seems to me, you don’t need a cell phone for that to happen,” she said.

  He made no reply and she pushed the phone across the counter to him. “Not as long as it isn’t long distance,” she said. That should put paid to any calls to those women in D.C., she couldn’t help thinking a bit smugly.

  “Nope, just down to Lav
a Cove,” he said. “I understand it’s a local call.”

  Picking up the receiver, Jake dialed the number he had memorized. “Hello, I would like to purchase two tickets for this Saturday night.” He listened for a moment. “Just a minute. Let me get my credit card. I want the best seats available. Can I pick those up at will-call?”

  What on earth? Kate wondered. Was he ordering tickets for Cats? Had he found someone in town to go with him? She racked her brain but she couldn’t think of anyone Jake had ever mentioned. Then her heart sank as a new thought hit her. It was probably one of the women from Mountain Springs Health Spa. Obviously he had found a way to get into the spa and now he was going to take one of them.

  Chapter 8

  Turning from the counter, she headed for the kitchen. That would teach her. Was she ever going to learn her lesson? Jake was certainly being true to his nature, his playboy nature. As the swinging door banged shut behind her, she missed the smile on Jake’s face.

  She knew one thing, she would never again become friendly with any of the men who came to the lodge. This had certainly taught her a lesson. She couldn’t wait for Jennifer to come home. She didn’t know if she could last until the end of summer. Maybe she would call and see if she would want to come home sooner. Then she wouldn’t feel bad about the lie she had told Jake about expecting her home. Well, it wasn’t exactly a lie. She did expect her home. Just not until the end of summer.

  On second thought, she probably should wait to call her until Jake left. Jennifer was very intuitive for a twelve-year-old, and she might sense Kate was attracted to Jake. She didn’t want that to happen. Since Jake was paying from week to week now instead of by the month, he would be leaving before long. It couldn’t be soon enough for her.

  “Look a little down today,” Hank commented as Kate sat down at the kitchen table.

  Kate tried to smile, but it was only a half-hearted one. Why had she ever let her emotions become involved with Jake? The first time he called her ‘Doll’ should have been a clue. All he wanted was a good time. Any girl would do.

  “Jake’s taking some girl from the spa to Cats,” she finally said.

  “Wouldn’t do that,” Hank objected. “Hasn’t managed to get in there yet.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Cause he told me when I asked him.”

  “Why did he just now purchase two tickets to Cats?”

  “Doncha know?”

  She shook her head.

  “Hopin’ to take you.”

  “But I’ve already told him I didn’t want to go.”

  “Don’t make no mind to Jake.”

  “It does to me.”

  “Not the man to give up easy.”

  “Then he just wasted his money on one of those tickets,” Kate said, jerking a chair out from the table and sitting down.

  They stopped talking when Jake walked into the kitchen. “Hank, got any new gossip you want to share?” he asked as he sat down across the table from Kate.

  “Can’t think of a thing,” Hank admitted and busied himself kneading out his pie dough.

  “I bought two tickets to Cats,” Jake volunteered as though Kate hadn’t heard him on the phone. “I was able to get a couple of seats a few rows up from the stage.”

  “How nice,” Kate commented. “I’m sure your date will appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  “The girl I asked hasn’t agreed to go with me . . . yet,” he said. “But if she won’t go, I’ll just throw the ticket away and go by myself. I’ve been wanting to see the amphitheater at Red Rocks.”

  “What a waste of money,” Kate said indignantly.

  “If you’re worried about it, why don’t you go with me? We could leave here around five and go into Lava Cove for dinner, then go out to the concert.”

  Against her better judgment, Kate said, “All right, I’ll go. But let’s take my car. I don’t care to ride in your Jeep when I’m dressed up. And, for your information, this is the last time I do anything with you.”

  Jake raised his eyebrows, but made no comment. He left the kitchen shortly after, and Kate and Hank could hear him whistling a tune as he walked out of the lodge. She couldn’t help but recognize it. She had heard it the night she had gone to his cabin. “We’ve Got Tonight.”

  How typical of Jake, she thought in disgust. He only wanted a one-night stand. She would go to the concert with him, but it was not going any farther. She just hadn’t been able to resist the temptation to spend an evening with him.

  Jake couldn’t believe the feeling of happiness that swept over him when Kate said she would go with him. In the car, she would be a captive audience, and he would be able to talk to her about those calls from D.C. He hoped he could convince her all that was behind him.

  Later in the afternoon when Kate came down the stairs, Jake did a double-take. She wore a green and black two-piece dress. The top extended to just below her waist and a tight band of pleated, matching material accented it. The hem of the skirt was jagged and accented with thick black stitches of embroidered thread.

  He gave a low whistle and was delighted when she blushed. In spite of the changes in Kate he had seen over the weeks he had been at the lodge, it pleased him to realize he could still make her blush. There was something so innocent about it and he decided he liked innocent.

  “Like it?” she asked as she twirled around.

  “You look fantastic. Your dress certainly brings out the green in your eyes.”

  “You look pretty good yourself,” Kate said. “I hardly recognize you when you’re out of jeans and that cowboy hat you always wear.”

  Jake smiled as his hand smoothed down the front of his navy blue suit. “All set?”

  “Let me say goodbye to Hank. I can’t help but feel a little guilty at leaving him with the dinner to serve.”

  “I’ve already talked to him and he’s happy to do it, but I’m sure he’ll want to see how beautiful you look.”

  Jake held the kitchen door open for Kate. “Hank, I wanted to thank you again for serving the dinner tonight. I know it’s my job but I promise this will be the one and only time.”

  “No promises needed,” Hank said, turning from the stove. “My, but don’t you two make a fine-lookin’ couple. Have fun, ya hear.”

  “I’ve always wanted to see Cats,” Kate told Hank.

  As Jake and Kate walked out of the lodge, Kate held up the keys to her car. “Would you like to drive?”

  “Not necessarily.”

  “You wouldn’t mind if I drove?” Kate was surprised.

  “No, why should I? You’re a good driver.”

  Kate smiled. “You drive. I want to enjoy being chauffeured. Besides I never get a chance to really enjoy the ride down the canyon when I’m driving.”

  Taking the keys to her SUV, he swung the passenger door open and stood back while Kate climbed in. He had a hard time believing he was going to have a night out with Kate. It was all he could do not to burst into song. It wasn’t long before they were through town and turning onto the highway to Lava Cove.

  “Jake,” Kate said, “I told you a little white lie and I’ve been feeling guilty ever since.”

  “Oh, what was it? Was it when you said this was the last time you would go anywhere with me?”

  She frowned. “No, it was when I told you Jennifer was coming home in a few days. I’m not really sure when she will want to come home, but I’m beginning to miss her. I think I will call and ask her if she isn’t ready to come home.”

  “I understand. Why don’t you?”

  “I was thinking you might be leaving soon and I would wait until after you left to ask her.”

  “Why?”

  “Oh, Jake, don’t ask me to explain.”

  “You don’t have to if you do
n’t want to,” he said.

  She relaxed back into her seat and glanced out the window at the beauty of the rocks and trees in the canyon.

  “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something,” Jake said.

  She said nothing.

  He was quiet for a minute as he concentrated on the road. Then he asked, “Did you ever do anything you knew was wrong?”

  “Of course. Haven’t we all?”

  “Well . . .?”

  She was quiet for a minute and then said reluctantly, “When I was seventeen, I was at a friend’s house. We got into her parents’ liquor cabinet. I got drunk, and instead of going home I ended up lost in another town.”

  “And . . .?”

  “I called my mother, but since I didn’t know where I was, she said I should get home the best way I could. She told me whatever I did, not to ask a cop because he would pick me up for drunk driving.”

  “How did you get home?”

  “I asked someone how to get to the highway to Lava Cove. By then, the alcohol was starting to wear off and I managed to get home.”

  “What did your dad say?”

  “My mother never told him. But when I got home and realized how worried my mother had been, I promised myself I would never do anything like that again.”

  “Your mother and you are close?”

  “Most of the time. We’ve had our moments, but I guess most mothers and daughters have. I did hold a certain amount of resentment when she took Dad’s side about marrying Walt. But she was devastated when he was convicted as an accessory to murder and I finally was able to forgive her.”

  “Forgiveness is important to you, isn’t it?”

  “Of course. It’s one of the main principals of my belief.”