Treacherous Slopes

by Terri Reed

  “We’ll see.” Troy’s lips thinned. “Let’s go.”

  Making the agonizing trek to the Pine Marten chairlift, Nick tried to coax more information out of Troy. “Who’s paying you to do this?”

  “Never you mind,” Troy stated, keeping the business end of the gun rammed into Nick’s side.

  The possibilities of who and why weighed on Nick’s mind. “Is it a competitor? Someone I know? Or someone from a foreign nation?”

  “I’m not saying nothing. Now stop your jibber-jabbering. You’re making me nervous,” Troy said. “I get twitchy fingers when I’m nervous.”

  “We wouldn’t want that,” Nick grumbled. Snow clung to his leather boots. Cold air mingled with his breath, making a cloud. Without headgear for warmth, Nick’s ears were going numb. He glanced at Troy. The guy must be impervious to the cold.

  They got in line for the chairlift. It wasn’t unusual for nonskiers to take the lift to the midmountain lodge for dinner in the gourmet restaurant, which had breathtaking views at seventy-eight hundred feet. People often came to watch the sunset while dining on fabulous cuisine. Nick didn’t have any illusions as he and Troy positioned themselves to catch the lift—they weren’t heading to the lodge for dinner reservations. Nick wasn’t quite sure what Troy’s plan was, but Nick assumed it had something to do with him not coming back down the mountain.

  Troy flashed two lift tickets he’d obviously bought at some other time at the lift operator. The lift hit Nick behind the knees. With his hands bound he couldn’t easily grab the middle pole without twisting slightly. He leaned back as the chair swooped him up above the ground, taking them up the mountain. Troy wrapped an arm around the pole. From the greenish look on his face, Nick guessed he didn’t like heights.

  Interesting. Nick could use that to his advantage. Gripping the chair with his legs, he rocked forward. The chair swung, tipping down slightly.

  “Hey! Knock it off,” Troy yelled and reached for the safety bar.

  Nick raised his elbow, blocking the bar from coming down over their heads.

  The distant sounds of sirens reached Nick. He prayed that meant help was on the way. He just needed to stay alive long enough for their help to matter.

  With a groan of frustration and keeping a tight hold on the pole, Troy tucked the gun in the waistband of his jeans and then reached inside his front pants pocket for a pocketknife.

  “Really?” Nick said eyeing the three-inch blade. “You’re going kill me with your pocketknife?”

  “Give me your hands,” Troy barked out.

  “I don’t think anyone would believe I cut my wrists,” Nick stated dryly.

  “Just do it,” Troy demanded.

  Warily, Nick held out his bound wrists. He wasn’t sure what to expect. When Troy cut the zip tie, surprise washed over Nick. Rubbing his wrists, he said, “Thanks.”

  “Don’t thank me yet,” Troy said and shoved Nick hard.

  Careening precariously close to slipping off the chair, Nick gripped harder with his legs and grasped the side rail. Troy pummeled Nick, pushing and shoving, trying to loosen his hold on the rail.

  Once Nick regained his equilibrium, he reacted swiftly, hooking the foot closest to Troy around Troy’s calf and tugging while at the same time swinging his elbow, connecting with Troy’s nose.

  “Awwwww!” Troy yelled, releasing his hold on the middle pole to grab his bleeding nose.

  Taking advantage of the moment, Nick tipped the chair forward, sending Troy flying out of the chair. Troy screamed on his way down. He face-planted in a deep drift; only the outline of his body where he’d sunk in the snow could be seen.

  Nick sat back, letting the adrenaline drain through him to be replaced by relief.

  It’d been a long time since Nick had had a shoving match on a chairlift. He and Cody used to grapple like a couple of boxers on the lifts, trying to get the other to fall off. They’d each managed to unseat the other once. Neither had gotten seriously hurt. Cody had dislocated his shoulder. Nick had cracked a rib. Then their father had found out what they’d been up to and threatened to ban them from skiing if it happened again.

  Nick had never imagined those wild antics with his brother would one day save his life.

  Unfortunately, Nick wasn’t out of the woods yet. There was still the person paying Troy. Nick had to find out who that was and stop him before he could celebrate his freedom.

  At the top of the lift, he used the operator’s phone to call the police and tell them where they could find Troy. He also told them about Ted and was informed his bodyguard was alive and in the hospital, recovering from a head wound. Relieved that Ted wasn’t dead, Nick hung up. Then he took the lift back down the mountain, passing over the spot where Troy was being dug out of the snow by the ski patrol and the Bend police.

  When Nick reached the bottom of the lift, Julie was there, bundled up in her red wool coat, a white hat jauntily perched on her head and her blond braid falling over her shoulder. His heart barrel-rolled in his chest. Elation at seeing her pretty face, her eyes so full of concern and relief, made him hurry to her. He gathered her close and hung on for all he was worth.

  “I was so scared,” she whispered. She pulled back to look at him. “Thank You, God, you’re alive and in one piece. What happened?”

  “I’m fine now that I’m with you,” he said. He never wanted to let her go. He dipped his head and captured her soft, sweet lips in a heady kiss that stole his breath and left his senses spinning. He wanted to unbraid her hair and feel the soft ends sliding through his fingers. He wanted to pick her up and carry her off, like some medieval barbarian, claiming his woman.

  The clearing of a throat jolted through the haze clouding Nick’s mind. Julie eased back. He followed, unwilling to release her.

  “Mr. Walsh,” Detective Agee said, his voice insistent.

  Frustrated, Nick broke the kiss. For a second he rested his forehead against Julie’s. Then he straightened, tucking Julie into his side, his arm around her, his hand resting lightly on her hip. “Yes, Detective.”

  “I’m sorry to break this up,” the detective said with a twinkle in his brown eyes. “But we need you to come to the station to take your statement.”

  “I understand. Julie’s coming with me,” Nick said, not willing to let her out of his sight. “There’s something you should know. Troy was being paid. There’s someone else out there who wants me dead.”

  * * *

  Julie sat on the hard plastic chair in the Bend police station’s waiting area. Her lips still tingled with the lingering memory of Nick’s ardent kiss. She’d thought her heart would burst from her chest when he stepped off the lift in one piece. Ever since Ted awoke and said some guy with a gun had Nick, fear had camped out on her chest like a three hundred pound baby elephant, making it difficult to take a full breath. Thankfully, the hotel maid had seen Nick and Troy getting into an old truck. The police had put out an alert and found the truck parked at Mt. Bachelor.

  Riding in the back of a police cruiser with Nick had been surreal. If Nick hadn’t held her tightly to his side, she’d have been a bit freaked out. The metal grating separating the front and back and the locking doors had made her feel uncomfortable this time. She hoped she never had to ride in the back of a police car again.

  When they arrived at the police station, Nick had been escorted to an interview room. Troy had been arrested. He’d survived the fall and suffered only a broken arm. The drift he’d plunged into had saved him from a deadly landing.

  Kitty had been detained after they found Ted unconscious in her hotel room. But she’d been released and now paced in front of Julie like a caged cat. Julie wasn’t sure if Kitty was upset about Nick or Troy. Julie suspected Kitty wasn’t sure herself.

  “How long do you think they’ll keep him?” Kitty asked, wringing her hands. “I have to know he’s really okay.”

  “Who?” Julie asked. “Who are you worried about?”

  “Troy. Nick.” She grimaced
, and tears filled her eyes. “Both of them.”

  Just as Julie thought. “Nick’s fine. Troy’s in a lot of trouble.”

  “I know.” Kitty plopped down on a chair. “I don’t understand why he wanted to hurt Nick.”

  “Don’t you?” Julie said, wondering if Kitty’s denseness was an act. “The guy loves you, Kitty.” At least according to what Nick had told her on the trip down the mountain. “Someone was paying him money to hurt Nick. Do you have any idea who that could be?”

  Kitty shook her head. “No.” She leaned her head back against the wall. “It’s so unbelievable.”

  “You really had no idea Troy was behind the attempts on Nick’s life?” Julie found that hard to believe.

  Kitty jumped up. “I didn’t!”

  Julie shrugged, not sure what to think.

  “I need coffee.” Kitty stalked away.

  “Julie!” Gordon came charging into the waiting area, followed by Frank and Lee. “How’s Nick? Where is he? Can I see him? Tell me he’s not hurt!”

  Julie held up a hand. “Whoa. He’s fine. He’s in giving his statement right now. He’ll be out soon, I would expect.”

  “My phone was off so I didn’t get the message that he was in trouble until just a bit ago,” Gordon said.

  “We heard Nick pushed someone off the chairlift,” Frank said, rocking back on his heels.

  “Only because the guy tried to knock him off,” Julie retorted hotly.

  “Good for Nick,” Lee said. “What’s the guy saying? Did he give a reason?”

  “He lawyered up as soon as they set his arm.”

  “That’s too bad,” Lee said.

  “He did tell Nick that he was being paid to try to hurt him.”

  Lee frowned. “By who?”

  Frank whipped off the baseball cap perched on his head and ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “Man, that stinks. Who’d want Nick dead?”

  “There’s got to be a money trail,” Gordon said. “There’s always a money trail. I’m going to see what’s going on.” He walked away and disappeared down the hall.

  “Uh-oh, crazy alert,” Frank said, gesturing with his head toward Kitty as she approached at a fast clip.

  Lee nudged him. “Behave.”

  Kitty skidded to a halt in front of Lee and Frank. “Did you hear? Troy tried to kill Nick.”

  Julie looked at the pair of skiers. “You two know Troy?”

  Lee shrugged. “He’s around all the time.”

  “Like she is,” Frank added, gesturing with his thumb at Kitty.

  Kitty made a face at Frank.

  “How come Nick had never met him?” Julie asked.

  “’Cause Nick’s above hanging out with the fringe crowd,” Frank replied. “He’s not into the after-parties anymore.”

  “What should I do?” Kitty said, her gaze on Lee. “How do I help Troy?”

  Lee’s eyes hardened. “The man tried to kill my friend and you want me to tell you how to help him?”

  Hurt clouded Kitty’s dark eyes. “Troy’s your friend, too.”

  Something scary flashed in Lee’s eyes. “Kitty, you need to hire a lawyer.”

  “But I—”

  Lee stood abruptly and gripped Kitty by the elbow, tugging her away. They stopped out of earshot of where Julie sat.

  Curious situation that Lee and Troy had been friends and Nick didn’t know about the friendship. Julie would make sure to mention the connection to Nick.

  Frank adjusted his ball cap, drawing her attention. “She’s bad news.”

  As she stared at the logo on the ball cap, Julie’s pulse sped up. Now that she’d really looked at the hat, it seemed familiar. She racked her brain trying to recall where she’d seen it before. Then it came to her. The man who’d delivered the photo of Nick to the television had been wearing the same hat with the same strange design.

  Something Gordon had said that first night played in Julie’s head.

  “There are thirteen guys from the B and C teams ready and willing to step into his place on the A team, including the two skiers who were just here. And more behind them that would jump at the chance to be invited to join the U.S. ski team.”

  Was Frank the man behind the attempts on Nick’s life?

  Considering how resentful the younger skier had been acting, it wasn’t a stretch.

  Needing to tread carefully, she said, “Interesting hat.”

  Frank touched the brim. “It’s broken-in nice, the way I like it.”

  “Where did you get it?”

  He thought for a moment. “It’s actually Lee’s. He got it from the vendor at some ski trade show last year.”

  Her heart thudded. “The hat belongs to Lee?”

  “Yep, but he said he didn’t want it anymore, so he gave it to me.”

  Swallowing the trepidation clogging her throat, her gaze slid to where Lee and Kitty were deep in conversation. Julie turned to Frank and asked, “When did he give it to you?”

  “This morning.” Frank’s hazel eyes were curious. “What’s with the questions?”

  Her gaze strayed back to Lee and Kitty in time to see Kitty walk out the front door. Lee met her gaze, his brown eyes flat and sending a shiver of apprehension down her spine.

  “Nothing.” She jumped to her feet. “I’m going to check on Nick.”

  Hurrying toward the sergeant’s desk, she intended to tell Detective Agee what she suspected—that Lee was the person behind the attempts on Nick’s life.

  “Excuse me,” she said trying to get someone’s attention. Everyone seemed to be busy either on the phone or with someone.

  “I’ll be with you in a moment,” the sergeant called from across the squad room.

  “Julie, is something wrong?” Lee’s voice near her shoulder sent a chill across her flesh.

  She whipped around and stepped back. “No, why would you ask that?” Her tone ended on a high note.

  “You look a little sick.” He cupped her elbow. “Let’s get you some air.”

  “That’s okay.” She dug in her heels. “I don’t need to go outside.”

  His grip tightened and something sharp poked into her side. “Don’t make this difficult. If you scream, I’ll shove this knife all the way in.” His flinty eyes regarded her coldly. “Let’s go.”

  “No!” She opened her mouth to let loose a scream.

  The tip of the knife jabbed harder into her flesh. She doubled over on a yelp as unbearable pain sluiced through her.

  Lee wrapped an arm around her and propelled her out of the police station, into the dark.

  A fierce anger swamped Julie. A man Nick thought of as a brother was actually his worst enemy.

  FIFTEEN

  Nick walked out of the police interview room, glad to have that part of this ordeal over with. He’d repeated his conversation with Troy at least three times. Each time one of the three detectives would want some detail filled in, like was Troy left-or right-handed. As if Nick had paid attention.

  Detective Agee stepped out of another room and handed him his cell phone. “We found this in Mr. MacAfee’s truck.”

  Palming the device, Nick tucked it into his jacket pocket. “Thanks.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  “Better now that Troy is in custody,” Nick said, falling into step with the detective. “Has Troy said who’s paying him?”

  “No. Mr. MacAfee has gone silent, waiting for a lawyer. Supposedly Ms. Rogers is hiring one.”

  “Of course she is,” Nick grumbled. “Did they find his weapon?” Nick hated to think what would happen if some kid or teenager happened upon the handgun.

  “Yes, it was recovered. A nice piece. A .38 Special,” Agee said. “We also secured the .223 rifle from the truck under the seat, like you said.”

  “What happens now?” Nick asked as they stopped at the desk sergeant’s station.

  “Mr. MacAfee will have his due process. He’s facing charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and assault. If we can ti
e him to your brother’s fatality, then murder, as well.”

  “He claimed he wasn’t involved in Cody’s death.” But whoever hired Troy had orchestrated Cody’s demise in an attempt to hurt him. Anger at the unknown person responsible twisted in Nick’s chest like a corkscrew, driving deep into his heart. “Do you think Troy will give up who he’s working for?”

  “Only time will tell,” Agee said. “We’re following every lead we can.”

  “There you are!” Gordon hurried down the hall and stopped beside Nick. Concern etched lines in his otherwise smooth face. “You okay? Are you injured?”

  Nick placed his hand on his manager’s shoulder. “No worse for the wear.”

  Gordon heaved a relieved sigh. “Great. I’ve been fielding calls. The press got wind of your abduction and then the committee called wanting reassurances that you were still ready and able to compete.”

  “You’re doing a great job,” Nick said, squeezing his shoulder. “Where’s Julie?”

  “Last I saw her she and the guys were in the waiting area,” Gordon replied.

  Nick turned to the detective. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

  “Not at this time. I’ll be in touch if there are developments,” Agee said and walked away.

  With purposeful strides, Nick headed toward the waiting area. He wanted to see Julie, hold her and kiss her. He needed to tell her what was in his heart. That he’d fallen deeply, madly in love with her.

  But what good would come of that? A voice in his head mocked.

  Her life was in Bend, while he still had so much to do before he relinquished his goals because he happened to have fallen in love with a woman. Did he really expect her to wait for him? To give up her dream of hosting Northwest Edition to follow him to the other side of the world?

  His steps slowed. He wiped his sweating palms on his thighs. Nerves revved in his blood. Anguish squeezed his heart in a viselike grip.

  No, he couldn’t tell Julie that he loved her. Not until... He stopped as thoughts bombarded him. Plans formulated. Options ran rampant. The future opened up in his mind like a vast and wondrous view from the tip of the mountain.

  Gordon ran into him. “What’s wrong?”