Death Knell In The Alps (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) (6 page)

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 play 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?