Treacherous Slopes

by Terri Reed

  A fierce anger roared through Nick’s blood. He hated seeing Julie hurt. Hated worse that he’d brought this on her by allowing Kitty access to her. He should have made it clear to Kitty a long time ago that her attention was unwanted. He’d naively hoped her obsession would fade. Instead, Kitty’s fixation had injured the person he loved.

  He staggered back a step. His heart flooded with emotion until he thought his ribs would pop apart.

  To cover his reaction, he backed up another step. “I’ll deal with Kitty.”

  He whirled away and retreated, but the realization wouldn’t be so easily dismissed. He loved Julie. With a love so fierce and strong he could barely breathe.

  He needed air. He hit the door and stumbled outside. He braced his hands on his knees and bent over, gulping in huge amounts of oxygen, but he couldn’t seem to get enough.

  “Mr. Walsh, you okay?”

  Not about to admit to having a panic attack over the fact that he loved Julie, he straightened and pulled the edges of his control together. “Yes. I have some long overdue business with Kitty Rogers.”

  He jammed his hand inside the breast pocket of his jacket. When he’d left the hospital after his crash, he’d stuffed the note and money clip Kitty had given him into the pocket. He unfolded the note. Staring at the neat script, he said, “We’re going to the TownePlace Suites to talk to Kitty.”

  Not far from the Old Mill shopping district where the aerial competition had been held, the extended-stay hotel had a good view of the Deschutes River. Kitty’s suite was on the ground floor in the southwest corner. A blue truck was parked outside the front door. Nick pounded on the door. From inside, he could hear voices. Then the canned laughter of a television.

  “Kitty, open up!”

  The door was flung partway open. A tall, lanky man stood in the open doorway. Beyond him Nick could see a kitchenette, a living room and dining area.

  “You.” Dark eyes regarded Nick with hostility. “What do you want?”

  Nick was sure he’d never met this man. Was this Kitty’s brother? “I need to talk to Kitty. Is she here?”

  The man’s gaze flicked to Ted and back. “Not yet. She should be here soon.” He stepped back. “Come on in. You can wait for her.” The man walked away, leaving the door partially open.

  Nick stepped forward, but Ted’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.

  “Let me,” Ted said.

  With his hand on the weapon holstered at his side, Ted walked inside, passing a table with a large blue-and-white vase filled with flowers. Nick followed, leaving the door open. Ted stopped. Nick stepped past him and looked around. The suite looked like many others he’d stayed in over the years as he traveled from one competition to another. Nondescript, impersonal. Lonely.

  He shook his thoughts away and focused on the man sitting on the couch with his legs stretched out and his arms splayed across the back of the couch.

  “Who are you?” Nick asked.

  His mouth stretched in a feral smile. His gaze flicked past Nick for a second, then zeroed back on him. Unease slide down Nick’s spine.

  “Your worst nightmare.”

  Before Nick could process that remark, a loud crash from his left sent his heart lurching. Blue-and-white shards of ceramic rained down as Ted crumpled to the floor in a heap. A hard shove in the middle of Nick’s back sent him sprawling forward onto his hands and knees. He heard the sound of running feet as the unseen assailant escaped out the open door.

  The guy on the couch leaped to his feet, producing a rifle he’d had hidden on the couch. Lifting his head, Nick found himself staring into the dark and menacing barrel of the rifle.

  “Get up!” the guy demanded.

  Nick’s gaze swung to Ted. He lay unconscious on the floor. A gash on the back of his head bled bright red. Concern lanced Nick. He sent up a silent prayer that Ted wasn’t dead.

  “I said get up.” The barrel jammed into Nick’s shoulder.

  Nick’s pulse jumped. “You’re the one who’s been trying to kill me.” He got to his feet, his hands raised in supplication. “Why are doing this? Who are you?”

  “Never you mind,” the guy said. “Turn around.”

  Flushing with rage, Nick said, “No. If you’re going to shoot me, you’re going to have to face me.”

  “I’m not gonna shoot you,” he said. “I have something else in mind. We’re going for a ride.”

  Caution tripped over him. He planted his feet wide. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Yes, you will, if you want your girlfriend to live,” the guy said. “We’re walking out the front door and getting into the truck right outside.”

  “Kitty is not my girlfriend,” Nick shot back.

  He snorted. “I’m talking about the blonde reporter. Kitty says you have a thing going with her.”

  Fear punched Nick in the gut, stealing his breath. “You leave her out of this.”

  “Gladly, as long as you cooperate.” Keeping the rifle aimed at Nick’s heart, he gestured to a black bag sitting on the kitchenette counter. “Open that bag. Use the plastic zip ties and bind your wrists together.”

  Figuring it was better to go and wait for an opportunity to get the upper hand than get shot in the chest, Nick did as instructed. Using the zip ties, he bound his wrists.

  “Make ’em tight,” the guy barked.

  Nick tugged, making a show of pulling them tighter but not really applying much pressure. “At least tell me your name.”

  “Troy. My name’s Troy.” Using the barrel, he nudged Nick. “Now outside, to the truck.

  “Why are you doing this, Troy?”

  “Stop talking, just move. There’s a mountain waiting for us.”

  * * *

  “Nick’s not answering his cell phone or the phone at Marshal’s house,” Julie said to Bob. They were back at the station in the editing room. Bob had wanted to show her the footage they had so far on Nick. But she couldn’t concentrate on work. She’d called Nick and left several messages, asking him to contact her. She wasn’t sure what he was doing or what he meant when he’d said he’d take care of Kitty. But she had an edgy feeling in the pit of her stomach that wouldn’t go away.

  “He’s fine. He’s a big boy, he can take care of himself,” Bob said. “Besides, he has his babysitter with him.”

  Julie slanted him an irritated glance. “Bodyguard,” she corrected. “And the reason he has a bodyguard is someone is trying to kill him.”

  “All the more reason for you to stay away from him,” Bob stated with a reproachful stare. “Ever since he came into town, he’s put your life in danger.”

  “It’s not his fault.”

  Bob rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, I don’t see what’s so great about Nick Walsh.”

  Everything. There was so much about Nick that she admired. His kindness, his loyalty and his perseverance. She liked the way he focused on her when they were together, making it clear that she had his attention despite the chaos going on in his life. She enjoyed spending time with him, enjoyed his sense of humor and his strength of character. Over the past few days, she’d come to realize he wasn’t nearly the adrenaline junkie she’d at first thought. Yes, he did amazing aerial jumps that took her breath away and skied like a maniac down a mountain, but he was grounded and trustworthy.

  The type of guy who made her heart pound and her blood race.

  She’d miss him when he left town.

  Aware of Bob’s probing gaze, she said, “I’m going to get coffee. Do you want some?”

  “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?” Bob said, his voice low and intense.

  “What?” She tried to dismiss his words with a forced laugh even as heat flushed through her cheeks. “No, no. Of course not.”

  Bob shook his head, but his dubious expression was easy to read. He didn’t believe her. And frankly, neither did she.

  The truth was she had fallen for Nick. But she could never let Nick know. Her life was here, his was of
f traveling the world competing, always looking for the perfect jump, the next big win. Next month he’d be competing in another country, jumping for the top prize. And in four more years, despite his talk of being too old, he’d be doing it again, in a different country but still chasing the same prize. She could never ask him to give that up.

  “Hey, Julie.” Bryce practically ran into the room. “She’s back! Should I call the police?”

  Surprise washed through her. “Do you mean Kitty?”

  “Yes. She’s at your desk. I didn’t know what I should do,” Bryce said.

  Bob stood. “I’ll take care of this.”

  Julie stayed him with a hand. “No. I’ll talk to her.”

  Hopefully she’d know where Nick was. Julie left the conference room and headed to her desk. Behind him, Bryce and Bob followed a few feet away. Julie appreciated their protectiveness. She approached Kitty, noticing the way her hands rubbed together and the pinched look on her face.

  “Kitty, what do you want?”

  She jumped up. “Ms. Frost, I’m so sorry for earlier. I really didn’t mean to knock you down the stairs with my purse.”

  Kitty’s contrition appeared sincere. Compassion and absolution rose within Julie. “I know. You’re forgiven.”

  Kitty’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Oh, good. Thank you. I’d hate anyone to think I could deliberately hurt someone.”

  Which was exactly what Julie had been wondering. Her belief that Kitty was genuinely contrite wavered. Was Kitty behind the attempts on Nick’s life? “Have you seen Nick since this morning?”

  Kitty shook her head. A fat tear welled and slipped down one cheek. “No. I figured when he heard about your accident that he’d think I did it on purpose.” Her dark eyes begged for Julie to understand. “Please don’t tell Nick.”

  “He already knows. He came to the urgent care and saw what happened. Then he took off. He went to your hotel to talk to you. I guess he missed you,” Julie said.

  Kitty went still. “He what? He went to the hotel where I’m staying?” She grimaced. “That’s not good. Troy will be upset.”

  “Troy?” The name echoed in Julie’s head. “Troy, the one who designed your business logo?”

  “He’s a family friend. He insisted on driving me out here. He’s good company most of the time.”

  “Why would Troy be upset?” Julie asked, concerned by the thought of Nick walking into something unexpected, like Kitty’s male friend.

  “Oh, he’s got it in his silly head that we’re meant to be together, despite the fact that my heart belongs to Nick.”

  Anxiety knocked against Julie’s ribs. “Could Troy be the one who’s been trying to kill Nick?”

  Kitty pulled a face. “Oh, no. Troy wouldn’t do anything like that. He’s the sweetest guy ever. So patient and kind.”

  “Even with someone he sees as a threat to his happiness?”

  “Threat to his...” Kitty waved away her words. “No, he understands. We’re just traveling companions. We always get a two-room suite so we each have our own space. He’d never get in a fistfight. He might yell and thump around, but he’s harmless.”

  “Can you call Troy and ask if he’s seen Nick?” Julie asked, praying Nick was safe at Marshal’s house already.

  Kitty took her cell phone from her purse and dialed. It rang and rang. When the voice mail picked up, Julie’s unease ratcheted a knot.

  “Call the hotel and have them call the room,” Julie prodded.

  The hotel room’s landline wasn’t picked up, either.

  “He’s probably off exploring,” Kitty said. “He does that a lot. Or he could be in the shower. Or asleep.”

  “Let’s go to your suite.” Julie needed to find Nick and make sure he was safe.

  “We can if you’ll drive,” Kitty said. “I don’t have a car. And since I can’t get a hold of Troy, I’m stuck in town until he calls back. He has the truck we drove out here in.”

  “I’m okay with driving,” Julie said and hustled Kitty out of the television station to the compact sedan Marshal had lent her as she waited for her car to be returned with a new tire.

  Kitty slid into the passenger seat. “Nice leather.”

  Julie nodded, her throat too tight to answer. She needed to know Nick was okay. She drove them to the TownePlace, one of Bend’s more upscale hotels. Julie had never stayed in any of the suites, but she’d eaten in the hotel’s restaurant, which was superb.

  Now, the last thing on her mind was food. She followed Kitty to the door of her suite. It was closed and locked. Kitty used her card key to enter, then let out a startled yelp.

  Julie walked inside and stopped short. Ted lay unconscious on the floor, surrounded by broken chunks of pottery. She rushed to his side, checked his neck for a pulse and breathed out a sigh of relief to feel a strong, steady beat. Where was Nick?

  “Kitty, call 9-1-1,” Julie demanded. A deep panic built in her chest. Ted was hurt and Nick was nowhere in sight. What had Troy done with him? Was Nick still alive? Would they find him before it was too late?

  Julie sent up a prayer. Please, Lord, protect Nick.

  FOURTEEN

  “Why are you doing this? What have I done to you?” Nick asked Troy.

  They were in an older-model truck, chugging along a back road to Mt. Bachelor. The inside of the cab smelled like stale tobacco and beer. Empty cans and chew pouches littered the floor. Nick kicked them aside and planted his feet on the floor as the truck slipped on icy patches on the snow packed road. Outside, the afternoon sun started its descent, elongating the shadows of the huge ponderosa pines and Douglas firs making up the Deschutes National Forest. Cloud cover had rolled in, threatening another deluge of snow within the next several hours. The temperature had dropped, and without the heater on a chill crept through Nick’s jacket and prickled his skin.

  “Besides stealing Kitty’s heart?” Troy slanted him a harsh glare. “Nothing.”

  Nick groaned. “I didn’t steal Kitty’s heart. She’s delusional. There is nothing going on between us.”

  “So you say.” Troy’s wide shoulders lifted and fell in a jerky motion. “But with you out of the way, she’ll finally realize what she has in me. She won’t need to follow you like some lost puppy anymore. Stitching your name in hats and buying you gifts.”

  “You put the spiders in the hats?”

  “Nice touch, huh? Too bad they didn’t get you.”

  Nick lifted his hands bound with a plastic zip tie, his palms up. “Hey, man, I’m all for stopping Kitty following me and buying me gifts. I’ll help you any way I can. But you have to let me go.”

  Troy grinned, showing yellowed and stained teeth. “Naw. I’ve got too much riding on this now.”

  Frustrated, Nick strove to keep his voice even. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

  “Accomplish?” Troy asked with a smirk. “Yeah, that’s a good word. I’m gonna accomplish a feat that I’ve been working at for the past few months.”

  “Since cutting the brakes on my car and then loosening the binding on my ski didn’t work.”

  Troy shrugged noncommittally.

  “Did you take that photo of me at the doctor’s office and deliver it to Julie? To the newspaper?”

  “I delivered it, but I didn’t take it.”

  Nick tried to digest that as another thought slammed into him. He swallowed back the bile rising to clog his throat. “Are you the one who killed Cody?”

  Troy gave a negative shake of his head. “I had nothing to do with your brother’s death. I didn’t come on board until later. So you can’t pin that on me.”

  Nick grappled to comprehend the information bombarding his mind. “You came on board?”

  “Yep. The plan was to just injure you, but I figured if I’m gonna do it, I might as well do it all the way.”

  “Plan? Someone hired you to hurt me?”

  Troy’s jaw clenched.

  “Who?” Nick pressed. “Who wants me dead?”


  “I ain’t saying another word,” Troy muttered. “If I do, I won’t be paid. I need that money. I got to impress Kitty. She’s got to see I can take care of her. She needs me.”

  The guy was off his rocker. Nick felt as if he’d stepped into some bad horror flick.

  As the parking lot for the ski resort came into view, Nick kept an alert eye for a way to escape. Troy couldn’t very well walk in plain view with the rifle, so as soon as they parked, Nick planned on jumping out. With his hands bound, he wouldn’t be much in a fistfight, but no doubt he could outrun the lumbering man.

  Troy parked the truck in the farthest slot away from the majority of vehicles then slid the rifle under the bench seat.

  Nick took advantage of the moment to grab the silver door handle and tugged hard. The door popped open. He swung his legs out the door as something hard was jammed into his left side. He froze.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” Troy said, his voice deadly quiet.

  Nick turned to see that Troy had traded his rifle for a handgun.

  The sour taste of dread filled Nick’s mouth.

  “Climb out nice and easy or you’ll get a bullet in the kidney.” Troy nudged with the gun. Nick stood as Troy scooted over the bench to follow him out the passenger door.

  When they were out, Troy moved to stand in front of Nick. The dark, menacing expression on the other man’s face sent icy fingers of apprehension down Nick’s back. Troy yanked the sleeves of Nick’s jacket down over the zip tie, keeping his hands together.

  “This is what we’re doing,” Troy said, his voice low and hard. “You’re gonna walk nice and slow to the nearest chairlift. We’re gonna get on. If you cooperate, no one else is gonna get hurt.” Troy gestured, shoving the gun into Nick’s belly. “But if you try to make a break for it, I’ll start shooting. If I get you, great, but I might get some innocent kid. You don’t want an innocent kid’s blood on your head, do you?”

  Nick ground his back teeth. Rage boiled in his blood. His gaze swept the parking lot, the path and the lift. Everywhere he looked, there were potential victims. Children, teens, women and men. None of whom deserved the wrath of this psycho. “You’ll never get away with this.”