Chapter One #2
The lines around his eyes and across his forehead deepened. “Didn’t they tell you they’ve designed a whole marketing campaign around you?”
She drew in a deep breath. “There’s been talk of that kind of thing. Right after I was hired. But that was three years ago, and nothing ever came of it. Too expensive, I thought.”
“They’re spending the money now. They’ve hired me to do a series of videos for a social media campaign. And still photos for a print campaign.”
“You?” She knew the kind of fees a videographer of Liam’s caliber could command. “Why didn’t they tell me?”
“Is everything okay?” The click of heels on the fake wood floor announced Marlena’s arrival. Doug followed close behind her.
Nina turned to Doug. “Why didn’t you tell me about this new marketing campaign?” she asked.
“I thought you’d be pleased we’re finally following through on the promises we made when you were hired,” he said. “I want you to know how much we value you, beyond your role as a ski patroller.”
She swallowed back the first reply that came to mind.
The resort valued the silver medal in a safe in her house, and maybe the face and figure that had walked runways in Paris and New York.
The work she did with ski patrol—protecting resort visitors, helping the injured and saving lives—was worth far more than that.
“Why launch a new marketing effort now?” she asked.
Another man might have frowned, but Doug’s forehead remained perfectly smooth.
“When the federal government turned down our expansion request earlier this month, one of the reasons given was safety concerns. I’m sure that was due to all the adverse publicity we received after that bombing attempt at the first of the year.
Our parent company is anxious to erase those things from people’s memories. ”
Of course. A local man who blamed the resort for the loss of his family’s ranch had planned to bomb lifts and set off inbounds avalanches.
Fortunately, his plan had been discovered before he could do much damage.
But plenty of other people had opposed SkyCrest’s plan to expand the resort into adjacent wilderness, enough that the government, who owned the land, turned down the request.
“What better way to build a positive image of SkyCrest than to highlight that we’re home to an American skiing hero,” Marlena said.
“Doug, I—” Nina began.
“Is there a problem with Liam?” Marlena interrupted. She scowled at the photographer. “I take it you two know each other from the documentary he filmed about the U.S. Women’s Ski Team. Because we can find another videographer.”
“No!” The last thing she wanted was to cause Liam to lose a job. She had done enough to hurt him already. “There’s nothing wrong with Liam. He’s a wonderful photographer and videographer. I’m just not comfortable with this kind of attention.”
“Nonsense!” Marlena waved a dismissive hand. “You’ve stood on a podium with the whole world watching. Our little marketing campaign is nothing compared to that.”
“You signed a contract agreeing to participate in our marketing efforts.” Doug’s voice was pleasant, but the meaning behind his words sent a chill through her.
“Backing out would be a breach of contract,” Marlena added.
“Is there something specific you’re worried about?” Liam asked, his voice soft, the words only for her. “Or someone? Have you heard something? Seen something?”
“What are you talking about?” Marlena asked.
“They don’t know?” Liam asked her.
Nina glanced at Marlena. “There was a stalker,” she said. “Shortly after the Olympics.”
“Oh, I remember reading about that,” Marlena said. “They arrested someone, didn’t they?”
“Yes.” Nina dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand, fighting for composure.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about,” Doug said.
She shook her head. “No. Nothing.” There was nothing to worry about. She was just being a coward. She took a deep breath and forced a smile to her lips—the same smile in that image fluttering from light posts all over town. “Of course I’ll do it. But next time, give me a little warning, okay?”
“Of course.” Marlena patted her shoulder. “And if you’d like another photographer…”
“No. Thank you for choosing Liam. He’s the best.” And he at least seemed to understand her hesitation to do this project.
“Good.” Doug turned to Liam. “You’ll want to start right away.”
“First thing tomorrow,” Liam said.
“Mr. Elam?” They turned to see Kristie standing halfway between them and Doug’s office. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have a call from corporate?”
“I’ll be right there.” Doug offered his hand and shook with Liam, then Nina.
“I need to go, too,” Marlena said. “I’ll check in later to see how things are going.” She fluttered her fingers, then followed Doug back down the hall.
Liam pressed the elevator button again. “We need to go somewhere and talk,” he said.
“I’m supposed to be working,” she said.
“What time do you get off?”
“I should be done by five.”
“Then let’s have dinner at six.”
She wanted to tell him no. That she was too worn out and frazzled. She didn’t know what to say to him. How to explain herself. But she at least owed him a chance to ask the questions he must have. “All right. I’ll meet you at six.”
“I’m staying at the Sheraton. I understand they have a good restaurant. I’ll make a reservation there, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.” In the meantime, she would come up with something to say to him. Some version of the truth that allowed her to cling to what was left of her dignity.