Chapter Ten #3
Nina looked out at the skiers who were already beginning to congregate at the base of the lift. “Finding him amongst all these skiers who look so much alike is going to be tough,” she said.
“Okay, but I had another idea,” Raz said.
Nina studied her friend—a halo of curly red hair, big brown eyes and a scattering of freckles. She could have been an illustration for the word earnest. “What’s your idea?”
Raz glanced around, as if to make sure they couldn’t be overheard, then lowered her voice.
“I have this friend—an ex-girlfriend, really, but we still get along great—who works in the resort office. She has access to a computer with the names of every person who’s purchased a pass or lift ticket to SkyCrest this season.
You’ve seen your stalker on the slopes, right? ”
Nina nodded. “Which means he’s purchased a pass.”
“My friend said she can also look up anybody who reserved a room at a resort-owned hotel or condo. That’s a lot of different properties.
If you’re willing to do her a favor, she’ll do a search for your stalker’s name.
On the down-low, of course. She could get fired if anybody found out, but she says that’s not likely to happen. ”
“Oh, Raz. That’s sweet of her to offer, but I don’t want anyone getting fired because of me.”
“It’s cool. She says she can do it one evening after her boss leaves. She said a search takes, like, two minutes.”
The idea was tempting. Nicholson might not be using his real name, but what if he was? And why hadn’t Doug suggested this avenue of investigation himself, as soon as he learned about Nicholson’s past? “What does your friend want me to do for her?” she asked.
“She wants to see your silver medal.”
Nina almost laughed. “Seriously?”
“That’s what she said. If you could bring it to her office at about six o’clock today or tomorrow? She said she’ll run the search for you.”
“Will you come with me?”
“You bet.” Raz smiled. “I gotta admit, I’d like to see the medal, too.”
Nina returned the smile. “Tell your friend I’ll be there this evening. Me and the medal.”
“I’ll tell her right now.” Raz left and Nina rode up the lift and headed for the terrain park.
It felt good to be back at the work she loved.
Connor had assigned her to reposition some snow fencing that had been knocked out of alignment.
A couple of kids were already at the park, practicing sliding across rails.
She had just set the last of the fencing in place when she heard the snick of skis on snow as someone approached behind her.
She turned as a black-helmeted figure came over a small rise and headed straight for her.
Gasping, she almost lost her balance but quickly righted herself.
The man slid to a stop inches from the tips of her skis.
Tinted goggles and a black neck gaiter obscured his face.
She couldn’t see the side of his helmet, but every instinct told her this was the man from Liam’s photos.
“Do you need something?” she asked, her voice curt.
No answer. No sound but a slight squeak of the snow as he shifted his weight.
She tried to move past him, but he stepped over to block her way. She glanced back at the two teens. They were farther away now, oblivious to her. Her ski poles were leaning against a tree, too far away to reach. She had nothing she could use as a weapon if he came after her.
Nothing but other people. She clicked her shoulder-mounted radio. “I need some help at the terrain park,” she said.
The others must have heard the tension in her voice. “I’m on my way,” Connor said.
“Be right there,” Renee responded.
Nina kept her gaze fixed on the black-helmeted man. He continued to face her, unmoving and silent. “You need to leave me alone,” she said.
His gaze flickered away from her, then back. Without a word, he planted his poles and skied off.
She told herself she should go after him. Demand he stop. Demand an explanation. But she was too paralyzed to move. She was still standing there, trembling, when Renee and Connor joined her. “What’s going on?” Connor asked.
“He was here,” Nina said. “Nicholson. My stalker.”
Renee looked around them. There was no sign of anyone. “What did he do?” she asked.
“He blocked my path and then he just…stared.” Nina shuddered.
“He didn’t say anything?” Renee asked.
Connor frowned. “Did he have any kind of weapon?”
“No. He didn’t say or do anything. I think he just wanted to let me know he was here.” That he could do something if he wanted.
“Renee, stay with Nina,” Connor said. “From now on, you’re not working alone.”
She wanted to protest that she didn’t need special accommodations, but the truth was, she did. “I don’t want to endanger anyone else,” she said instead.
“He’s the one who needs to be afraid, with the two of us after him,” Renee said. “I have three older brothers. I know how to defend myself.”
Nina didn’t protest that it was tough to defend yourself against someone with a razor-sharp knife. It was enough that Renee would work with her today. She still believed Nicholson was a coward. He would wait until she was alone before he tried again.