Avalanche (A Stone Mountain Mystery Book 3) Read online

  She rested her head on his shoulder and let herself relax. Enough was enough. Time to forgive and let go. “I love you right back.”

  They cut to the path that ran along the bottom of a black diamond ski run. The steep terrain was one of Kalin’s favorite runs. “Where’s Chica?”

  “She’s back there somewhere. She’ll—” The rumble of snow cascading down the slope drowned out Ben’s words.

  “Run,” he shouted.

  Without hesitating, she pumped her legs hard. She sensed Ben at her side, matching her stride for stride. Snow dragged over the back of her snowshoes, and she tripped.

  Ben grabbed her jacket and yanked her upright.

  They kept running and reached the safety of the thick forest. The mounds of snow descending pounded across the path where they’d hiked only seconds before.

  Kalin scanned the area with the lamp but found nothing in the darkness. “Where’s Chica? I can’t see her.”

  “Chica, come,” Ben shouted.

  Nothing.

  “Oh, Ben. Not Chica.”

  The slide stopped, and an evil silence fell around them.

  Kalin’s pulse throbbed in her throat and an ache pressed behind her eyes. “Chica!”

  The soft padding of her paws on snow reached their ears before the sight of their dog.

  “She must have run backward and waited on the other side. Smart dog,” Ben said.

  Chica ran to Kalin just as Kalin sank to her knees. Her wet tongue froze her cheeks, but she didn’t care. She wrapped her arms around Chica’s back and held her until her breathing returned to an acceptable speed.

  “The groomers were supposed to groom that run last night,” Ben said. “It shouldn’t have been left with so much loose snow.”

  “Did you tell anyone we were hiking to work this morning?”

  “Oliver. We’re going to snowshoe across some of the higher terrain later today. We’re taking Aiden with us.”

  “You don’t think—”

  “Man, you’re suspicious. That was an accident.”

  “I guess this means you won’t be starting search and rescue again today.”

  * * *

  With Chica clipped to her leash, Kalin hustled toward the security office. Five days after the avalanche and the theft, Fred Morgan, the security manager, had arrived back at the resort from his brother’s wedding in Hawaii. Turner would talk to him soon, and she’d better beat her boss to him, otherwise Fred might not keep her informed.

  Her cell rang. A Calgary number she didn’t recognize. “Kalin Thompson.”

  “Gavin Reed here.”

  She hadn’t spoken to Reed since he’d left the resort in shame last spring. He’d been her previous boss and the president of Stone Mountain. After reporting to Turner for the last six months, she realized Reed had been the better boss. He’d been tough but fair.

  “I thought you were a Timlin now.”

  “I kept my surname, but yes, I did marry Ben. Thanks for the reference.”

  “I’m glad I got your voicemail, or I might have called Turner to talk with him. Did you get an offer?”

  “I did. I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do. They gave me a couple of weeks to decide because of the avalanche and theft. They understand I can’t really commit yet.”

  “How’s Turner taking the news?”

  “I haven’t told him. He doesn’t need to know unless I accept the job.”

  “Hmm. I remember you like to keep secrets.”

  “I don’t.”

  Reed laughed. “I’m kidding. But you might tell him before he finds out from someone else. If you go, what’s Ben going to do there?”

  “Ski patrol. Although the timing’s bad. He was promoted to manager here.”

  “Good for Ben. Let me know if he needs a reference.”

  “Thanks.” She still had to let Ben know she’d been offered the job. It was too soon to think about a reference for him. “How’s Melanie? Do you know what’s happening yet?”

  “She’s fine, considering. She was sentenced to two years less a day. I guess we couldn’t expect any less for an arson charge. Ian’s racing this weekend in Lake Placid.”

  Kalin guessed Reed wasn’t comfortable talking about his daughter and what happened, so he’d changed the subject to his son. Kalin had done her best to help Melanie by being a character reference, and Reed had been grateful. “I know. Nora told me she was heading there to watch him.”

  “Have you seen Ethan lately?”

  Ethan was Reed’s grandson, born only eight months previously to Nora and Ian. “I have. He’s as cute as can be. I hope Ian does well in the World Cup race.”

  When she hung up she found herself wishing Reed was still at Stone Mountain. She also wished Nora wasn’t traveling and was here to help her get through this mess.

  After the previous security office had burnt to rubble in the big fire, Fred and his team used an office in the upper village during the rebuild process, but now they were back in the lower village, enjoying new office space.

  Kalin entered the room filled with new-carpet smell. The all-familiar BOLO list hung on one wall. Turner probably wanted Kalin and Ben’s name on that list now.

  Fred entered from his private office located in the corner of the room, shut the door, said hello to Kalin and pet Chica on her head.

  “How was the wedding?” she asked.

  Fred ushered Kalin into the small conference room, offering her a place to sit. “Great. I’m really sorry about Roy.”

  Kalin’s throat tightened. More time needed to pass before she could talk about Roy without choking up. “Thanks.”

  “How’s Ben doing?”

  “Being in charge of search and rescue has been tough on him. I know he had to call off the search when he did, but he’s second-guessing himself. I don’t think he’d do that if Roy wasn’t my brother.”

  “I can imagine. Any news on a second search?”

  “Not today. Ben will evaluate the conditions again tomorrow.”

  “What happened to your chin?”

  “I hit it on a snowmobile windshield. It’s fine.” As soon as her stitches were removed and people couldn’t see the injury, the topic would be dead. Explaining she’d been an idiot wasn’t a conversation welcome in her world. She hung her jacket behind the door and sat in the offered chair. Chica curled up on the floor and rested her jaw on Kalin’s foot. “We need to talk about the theft investigation.”

  Keeping his eyes lowered, Fred doodled in his notebook, his pen scratching across the paper. The notebook usually kept important investigation information, but today’s squiggles told her it was a prop to avoid looking at her. She said, “Don’t tell me.”

  “I met with Turner this morning.”

  “And he asked you to keep me out of things?”

  “He did. I’m sorry, Kalin. This is awkward, but I understand where he’s coming from.”

  They both turned their heads toward the door when a knock interrupted them. Constable Miller entered. “We’ve one polygraph to repeat and then we’re done.”

  Kalin stood and glanced between Fred and Miller. Chica wagged her tail and approached Miller for the required pet on her head.

  “I didn’t see you,” Miller said to Kalin.

  “I feel like the proverbial third wheel,” Kalin said. “Any chance I can know the results and who has to repeat the test?”

  “Sorry.” Miller tucked his RCMP cap underneath his arm. “Don’t take it personally.”

  “No, it’s not personal. Not at all. Just because my boss has convinced everyone I’m a thief or my brother’s a thief, and I can’t be trusted to work on this. No, that’s not personal.”

  Fred blushed and stared at his feet. Kalin had never seen him look so awkward, and she almost smiled at him.

  “I’d like permission to search your home,” Miller said.

  Kalin took a deep breath. She couldn’t see any reason to forbid the RCMP from going through her house, except
the invasion of privacy, but looking guiltier wouldn’t prove Roy’s innocence, so she said, “Fine, do what you need.”

  “Thanks. I’ll send some officers over this afternoon.” Miller moved out of Kalin’s way, giving her space to reach the door. “I need to bring Fred up to speed and then get back to Holden.”

  At least Miller had the grace to look apologetic as he ushered her out the door.

  * * *

  Minutes after Constable Wagner and the rest of the RCMP officers left his home, Ben put on his work jacket, gloves and boots. He flicked on the outdoor lights and stepped off the back porch. He grabbed the splitting axe, placed a log flat on the ground and swung. Hard. The wood split, and he picked up another log.

  Chica ran to the edge of the stone wall and peed. She seemed content as long as she had someone, anyone really, to hang with. Earlier, she’d followed the RCMP officers from room to room while they searched the house. Constable Wagner had shown up without Miller. She was far less talkative and less friendly than him. All business, but polite. Maybe Miller knew Kalin too well to be allowed to search their home.

  Both Turner and the cops spent more time searching for the missing money than for Roy’s body. If the next attempt at finding Roy failed, Ben planned to search the mountain in the spring and find him, no matter how gruesome his remains might be. He owed Kalin that much.

  He’d talked with the grooming manager about the small avalanche that crossed the snowshoe trail. The man had said he missed the instructions to groom the run. Ben remembered Oliver updating the whiteboard, but somehow the instructions were erased. He hadn’t told Kalin that tidbit of information. She’d get all excited that someone had set them up. But there’s no way they could have timed an avalanche for the exact moment Ben and Kalin were on the path. Unless—

  Chica barked, ran to the front deck and wagged her tail. Ben followed to find out what she’d barked at.

  Aiden Price smiled up at Ben from the driveway and dangled a six-pack in front of him.

  Jessica stood beside him, just inside the dome of lights, and tucked her hands in her armpits. “We saw Kalin at work and thought you might need some company tonight. We heard the cops were here.”

  Juicy news spread like the common cold in the close quarters of the isolated resort. Ben waved for Aiden and Jessica to come up the side steps. He knew Jessica better than the lift manager. The question was why were they there together?

  Ben led them to the backyard and pulled another log from the woodpile, a pile he’d created when the construction workers knocked down trees to clear the lot for their house.

  “How are you holding up?” Jessica asked.

  After only a couple of minutes of not working, the sweat soaking his back chilled Ben. “I’m okay. Mind if I keep splitting logs? I have to get this done.”

  Jessica sat on top of the hot tub lid and let her feet dangle. “What did the police want?”

  Aiden placed the beer beside her but remained standing.

  Ben released the axe.

  Thwack.

  The log cracked and flew in two pieces, one landing in the shadows, the other near Aiden’s foot, who took a step closer to Jessica. “They asked if they could search our place.”

  “Did they have a warrant?” Jessica asked.

  “We’ve got nothing to hide.”

  Aiden and Jessica exchanged a quick glance. “Did they say what they were looking for?” Jessica asked.

  “They didn’t say much while they were here.” Ben didn’t intend to talk badly about Roy. The cops suspected he stole the money, but Ben wouldn’t contribute to the rumors. For Kalin’s sake, he hoped they were wrong.

  “Are you a suspect?” Aiden asked.

  Ben rubbed the scar underneath his chin and thought about Aiden’s question. The RCMP hadn’t accused him of anything, and when they’d interviewed him, they’d only asked questions about Roy. “Hardly.”

  Chica nudged Jessica’s knee, and Jessica shoved her away. “Did they say anything about Roy?”

  “Only what I already told you. Why are you so interested?” Ben asked.

  Jessica crossed her spindly legs and hugged herself tighter. “They’ve been hassling me, like I helped Roy steal the money.”

  Ben lifted the axe.

  Crack.

  More wood for the fireplace. “They can’t be sure Roy’s the thief. He’s just a suspect because he disappeared.”

  “Did Roy leave anything here?” Jessica asked.

  “No.” Ben scratched Chica’s ear, and she rewarded him with a tail wag. “Why?”

  “He had photos of us that I’d like,” she said. “I thought maybe he’d left his camera here.”

  “Sorry. Can’t help. The cops took that with them.” Ben contemplated the untouched six-pack resting on the hot tub. If he was going to drink, it would be with friends. “Thanks for the beer, but I’m exhausted, and I still need to walk Chica.”

  He let the axe hang loose beside his leg and waited for Aiden and Jessica to go. He hadn’t mentioned Roy’s suitcase stored in the garage. It didn’t matter. The RCMP had searched the contents and hadn’t found anything interesting enough to take with them. Besides, he didn’t feel like helping Aiden and Jessica.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “I’ve been phoning you all morning,” Kalin’s mom said. “Where have you been?”

  “Meeting with my boss.” How could Kalin tell her mom about the search underway for Roy’s body? Seven days of snow piling on top of him dampened Ben’s optimism. She’d met Ben in the mountain ops building before he left for the Dragon’s Bowl and stayed while search and rescue reviewed the plan.

  Best to wait until the search ended before telling her mom. She didn’t want to think of her mom curled on her couch, waiting for news of Roy and the search. She’d had enough heartache.

  “We need to talk,” her mom said.

  Kalin exited the mountain ops building and tromped down the steps to the snow covered path. The warble in her mom’s voice told her something bad happened. “What’s wrong?”

  “Constable Miller called. He asked questions about Roy.”

  Kalin rubbed the back of her neck as if that would fend off the impending ache in her shoulder muscles. She should have figured Miller would call her mom. “What kind of questions?”

  “He wanted to know if Roy had money troubles. And whether I knew if Roy had more than one bank account. What’s going on?”

  As she headed toward the Alpine Tracks lift station, the cold stung Kalin’s bare forehead, but she ignored the pain and kept walking. “Did he say anything else?”

  “I asked about the investigation into the avalanche, and he said he didn’t have any new information. Why would he want to know about Roy’s money situation?”

  Kalin stood to the side of the lift maze. Skiers and snowboarders queued in front of the chairs, ready to head up the slopes. She hadn’t skied since Roy disappeared, fear prevented her, but as a director she needed to be visible on the hill. “I wasn’t going to mention anything, but there was a theft here the night before Roy died.”

  “You didn’t think that was worth mentioning?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry.”

  “Why are the police asking about Roy?”

  Kalin glanced around the area before answering. Frost tendrils spread across the metal rods that held each chair to the cable. White lights hung around the lift operator’s shack, and the festive image brought thoughts of Christmas and family holidays. The image didn’t match the anxiety inside her. “I guess it looks suspicious the money was stolen the night before Roy went missing.”

  “They think Roy’s the thief? You can’t be serious. He wouldn’t steal anything.”

  “I know, but I can understand the cops have to look at all possibilities.” Kalin described the theft to her mom, making the event sound unimportant.

  “Miller asked about Jack, too.”

  “What?”

  “He wanted to know how Jack’s accide
nt affected Roy. Then he asked what I thought about Roy being interviewed more than once about the hit-and-run.”

  “Why would he ask that?” Kalin whispered. She hadn’t meant to, but her voice betrayed her. Roy interviewed more than once. About Jack’s accident. What did that mean?

  “I don’t know what he was getting at.”

  “Don’t worry. Miller likes to be thorough when he’s investigating. He’s just poking around.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I am.” Not. Jack’s case was unsolved, but why dredge it up again? Why not let him rest in peace?

  “There’s something else I want to ask you. But don’t get mad,” her mom said.

  Kalin gripped her phone tighter.

  “What’s Ben doing about finding Roy?”

  “Mom, you know he can’t do any more than he already has. The failed search is killing him.” Her words were true, but Kalin still treated Ben as if she was mad at him. He needed to know she loved him and he’d made the right decision. The frightening experience with the mini avalanche helped, but she couldn’t bring herself to let him close yet. The hurt pressured her insides and filled her. There wasn’t room for Ben right now.

  “You should use your position to prove Roy is innocent.”

  “I can’t believe you said that. What happened to ‘don’t become obsessed with this like I was with Jack’?”

  Before Jack died, Kalin spent Sunday mornings with him. He’d pull her into his arms, knowing they didn’t have to get out of bed. She’d never again slept in on a Sunday. If she wasn’t working, she rolled out of bed and asked Ben to go snowshoeing, hiking or skiing, whatever the season demanded. Drastic loss required drastic change.

  “That was different. Jack’s death was unsolved, but at least we got to bury him. Roy’s reputation is at stake. Jack’s wasn’t.”

  Her mom was right. Time to refresh her memory. Kalin finished the call and headed for the HR file room. She pulled the files for Eric Wilson, Jessica Scott, Simon Crane and Helen Armstrong. All of the finance center staff.

  * * *

  Just as Kalin opened Helen’s HR file and placed the folder flat on top of a metal file cabinet, the hairs on the back of her neck tingled.