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"Ooh, I love ski lodges," Amanda told them.
"You ski?" Matt asked with a snort of disbelief.
"Of course not- I go for the scenery. There's lots of wildlife in the lodge, especially during happy hour. It's like a buffet of men. It's a good time for me to be on leave," she said, examining her fingernails.
"That's a matter of opinion. Why can't we leave Eric and Amanda at home?" Matt demanded. "I'd be happy to share a room with Sady," he added eagerly.
"I know," CJ replied sarcastically. "That's why Eric and Amanda are coming with us. You and Eric will share a room, Matt. Unless you'd rather have Amanda for a bunkie," she teased, as Amanda perked up with interest.
"The joke's no longer funny, CJ," Matt grumbled and his face darkened. "I'd rather have a room to myself."
"Not possible. At this time of the year they’re fully booked," Harry said. "We only got rooms because of last-minute cancellations and early checkouts. Count your blessings. We could be crammed into two rooms," he reasoned.
"So what's the job?" Sady inquired.
"Mike and Michelle Hill are the owners. Mike called me two weeks ago after they had a few acts of vandalism. The local police wrote it off as pranks, so I told Mike to call me if things became serious. He called yesterday. Someone vandalized their rental shop, and he's afraid things might get worse. We'll get the specifics when we arrive the day after tomorrow. It's about a four-hour trip and we'll be gone for the week, so plan accordingly."
"I'll drive," Sady happily offered. She turned at Matt’s unspoken scorn and asked, "You have a better idea?"
"Any idea is better than getting in a vehicle you're driving. Unless one has a death wish. I thought I'd take my new truck," he replied smugly.
"Shotgun," Amanda yelled, while Sady giggled. Matt's face got red, and he bared his teeth in a snarl at Amanda.
"We'll drive as well, since we have an SUV. Four-wheel drive will be a good thing to have in the snow," Harry assured Sady. "Plus, Justin will maintain that perfect body if you keep him out of the road salt."
"Deal," she agreed. Justin was her Mustang and the love of her life. Then, "I have another question. What are we supposed to pack?"
"Seriously, Morrow?" Matt asked. "We're going to a ski lodge. Haven't you ever skied?"
"No, I haven't," Sady admitted. "It was against the rules. Well, maybe not strictly, but the smart girls knew you stayed away from any activity that could lead to serious damage, like scars, surgery, and casts. Have you ever seen a beauty contestant on crutches?" No one answered.
"Sady, formerly Sandy-Sue, was a beauty queen in her previous life," Matt explained to Eric.
"I never would have guessed," Eric said, realizing after he spoke how it sounded. Sady was tall and slender, with brown eyes and brown hair. Her features were pretty, but she wore no makeup and she didn't have the attitude Eric expected of a beauty queen.
"Why don't you ever tell anyone I was a librarian?" she grumbled to Matt. Turning to Eric, she said, "Now you know why I've never skied. So what do I pack?"
"Well, take clothes you can layer," CJ suggested. "Gloves that will keep you warm but allow movement, and a hat. Ski pants are a good idea unless you don't mind getting soaked the first time you fall. You don't want a bulky or heavy jacket. We can rent skis or snowboards at the resort. Does that help?" Sady nodded as she jotted down notes.
"Can I have the rest of the day off? I need to go shopping," she asked. Before CJ answered Amanda grabbed Sady's arm and pulled her toward the door.
"We'll keep our receipts for tax write-offs," Amanda announced. "Don't worry. I know where to find the best sportswear." CJ glanced at Harry who shrugged. By the time CJ turned to give the okay the women were gone.
They agreed to meet at the Knight's house Sunday just after noon. Matt drove Sady and Amanda from the apartment building they shared. He grumbled when Amanda piled into the front seat, and Sady sat in the back.
"You need a bigger truck, Meadows," Sady complained. "It's too small back here for someone my height."
"Take it up with Amanda," he suggested. "She hogged the front seat."
"Listen, Stubbles, don't blame me because you weren't smart enough to buy a truck with a full size back seat. Didn't the term cab-and-a-half make you think? Who fits in a half cab? Children and pets that's who. If you'd thought this through we would all be comfortable right now."
"Speak for yourself," he muttered.
"What was that you said?" Amanda asked with narrowed eyes.
"We're here," Matt snapped. "Now get out so we can rearrange things."
It wasn't until Amanda and Sady were out of his truck and walking to the Knight's front door that the full impact of their shopping spree hit him. He didn't say anything, but the look on the faces of the others confirmed his thoughts.
"Oh, my God, it looks like the battery bunny lost his drum and wandered into a construction zone," CJ said under her breath.
Sady was happy with her pink fuzzy winter outfit. She looked like a pink stuffed rabbit. Amanda's outfit was bright orange and shiny. Her hat was the same color and came to a point at the tip. "It's water-proof," she announced proudly.
"Think we could leave her along the road somewhere as a traffic cone?" Matt asked CJ.
"You could try, but I wouldn't recommend it," CJ responded. "You don't want to mess with any woman who has the brass to wear that outfit."
Harry distributed the luggage between the two vehicles and smiled when Sady and Eric climbed into his SUV. "Thanks for leaving me with the color blind witch," Matt told him sarcastically.
CJ overheard and retorted, "Next time get a bigger truck."
"I'm regretting this one. My next vehicle will be a motorcycle," he said.
"There's a visual," CJ laughed. "You and Amanda on your motorcycle."
Matt gave her a pained look as he climbed into his truck. Amanda had settled and tuned the radio to her station. "Next time, make sure you get a heated seat for the passenger," she told him.
"Why don't I just take you with me when I buy my next vehicle?" he asked acidly.
"Now you're asking me? I bet you fell on your head a lot when you were little, didn't you?"
Matt didn't reply but focused on traffic. He didn't even complain when she spilled her coffee. He just counted to 100- twice... three times. "Black carpet would have been a better choice," she suggested.
Matt's blood pressure approached explosive by the time they arrived at the lodge. His face was red, and his hands shook. Even as they got out of the truck Amanda talked non-stop, while he tried ignoring her. He raced to the Knight’s SUV where they waited for Matt and Amanda’s arrival.
"Where's the bar?" he snarled. "Never mind. I'll find it myself."
"Ooh, I'll come along," Amanda declared. "I need a drink after that ride. That truck needs new shock absorbers."
"I think Matt needs the shock absorbers," Eric laughed to Sady.
She snickered and asked him to head off Amanda before Matt committed a felony. Eric obliged and grabbed Amanda's arm, steering her to the lobby. Harry and CJ stood at the front desk when Eric dragged Amanda through the door.
Amanda perked up and forgot about the drink when she spotted the men in the large open great room, just off the lobby. She elbowed Eric sharply in the ribs, making him wince. "See, I told you- total man buffet. Look at how many are staring at me right now." Eric wisely refrained from commenting on her shiny orange ski outfit.
Harry handed room key cards to Amanda and Eric. "What happened to Sady?" he asked.
"I think she went to get Matt's keys in case he decides to bolt," CJ observed. "I'll send her a text to let her know she and Matt can get their keys at the front desk... when he's calmed down."
Sady followed Matt to the pub attached to the ski lodge. She sat down across from him in the booth and he held up his hand. "Not one single word," he ground out as the server set two beers on the table. He grabbed them both with a glare. "Order your own."
Sady bit back a grin and ordered a soft drink. "Geez, you aren't even going to be a good drinking buddy," he complained. "Maybe I should trade you in for Eric." Sady opened her mouth, and he slammed his hand flat on the table, making her jump. "If you even mention that woman's name I'll kill you with my bare hands right here and now."
"I was only going to say that your room key is at the front desk," she defended herself.
"Liar." He chugged half a mug.
"Probably," she grinned. "If it makes you feel better, I brought a bottle of your poison alcohol."
"Why didn't you say so? I could be recovering from the road trip from hell a lot faster if I'd known that."
"Do you want to come to my room for a drink?" she offered with a devilish smile.
"You're a truly wicked, deviant, evil, black-hearted, malicious, bit..."
"You'd better take that last one back, or I'm not sharing," Sady threatened.
He downed the last of his beer and said, "You didn't let me finish. Bitter. There, now are you happy? Where's that booze?" he asked, pulling her to her feet. He tossed a bill on the table and hauled her to the front desk. Handing her a room key he said, "You have five minutes to get that bottle out of your room and down to mine. If you aren't Amanda-free you better call the HAZMAT team because there will be bloodshed."
"We're in the same wing," Sady announced, looking at the room number plaques on the wall. "Oops, my room is first. If you want your booze you wait right here while I get it."
She opened the door, and Amanda called, "Hey, Stubbles, come on in. Sady brought a bottle of spirits that will knock you on your..." Matt yanked Sady into the hall and pulled the door shut with a crash.
She tried covering her smile, but didn’t succeed. "Do you want to see me in prison? Or are you wearing your let's hate Matt sweater today?" he boiled.
"Neither, Mr. Persecution Complex. Stand here out of sight," she pushed him against the wall, "and I'll be out with your little bottle in a minute."
"Little bottle is about right. I doubt there's much left by now," he grumbled, as she entered her room again. She reappeared, as promised, with a full bottle.
"Now, don't you feel bad for doubting me? And Amanda?" Sady scolded.
"Hell, no! The only thing I feel bad about is not knowing about this sooner." He grabbed the bottle, gave her a peck on the cheek, and tore down the hall to his room.
"Don't fall," Sady yelled after him. "I don't want to be the one to call your mother to tell her you fell while running with a glass bottle." Her door opened and Amanda popped her head out into the hall.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked.
"He thinks you were drinking his booze," Sady replied.
Amanda’s face twisted in disgust. "That stuff? It needs a nuclear waste label. Does he know it will eat his stomach lining?"
"I don't think he cares," Sady confessed with a smile.
"Well, as long as he stays out of our stash there won't be any trouble," Amanda assured her. Changing the subject, she told Sady, "Check out the digs. If there weren't so many unhooked fish down in the lounge I could spend the week in this room."
Sady agreed the room was spectacular. Although decorated in a rustic theme, it offered all the comforts of a nice hotel, right down to the fireplace and jacuzzi tub. An incoming text interrupted them. "Time to start work," Sady said. "Meeting in the main office with the lodge owners."
She opened the door to find Eric and Matt in the hall. Matt saw them and ran, leaving Eric to escort the women. Amanda latched onto his arm. With a smile Sady grabbed his other arm. Matt gave her a look that said traitor when they entered the lodge office.
Harry introduced Mike and Michelle Hill, owners of the ski lodge. The Hills filled the team in on the recent "pranks.”
In the laundry, someone injected the commercial bucket of soap with skunk oil, ruining a load of linens. It took days to remove the odor from the machine and required special products. The automatic soap feed line had to be replaced and the laundry area fumigated.
Someone vandalized the rental shop. Nothing was stolen, but many items were damaged.
The thermostat on a freezer full of food was reset. They had to discard all the contents.
The indoor pool was closed down for several days until the health department could test and assure worried guests the brown items found in the water were candy bars and not something far worse.
"So far nothing has been dangerous, but we're afraid that might change. Other than the rental shop vandalism, the local police consider it juvenile pranks," Mike explained. "But these things have happened over the period of about six weeks. If we turn in too many insurance claims our rates will be more than we can afford. Not to mention the disruption to our business."
"Any suspects?" CJ asked.
"We started with our employees, since we require background checks before hiring. Nothing jumped out when we reviewed those records. So we looked at other possibilities and made a list." Michelle passed out papers to each member of the team. "These stay in this office," she warned. "You can make your own notes if you want, but we can't afford to let this list get out. We don't want a lawsuit."
Sady looked at the page in her hand.
1. George Bartholomew. Owns and operates the nearest ski lodge. Wanted to buy Hope Mountain land when it was available several years ago. Financial issues prevented him from doing so. Speculation was that he planned to leave the land undeveloped to boost business at his own resort. His profits have dropped since our lodge opened.
2. Jenna Barber. Local environmentalist. Feels the lodge is destroying the mountain's natural resources. Publicly, and vocally, opposes our planned spring expansion project. She's organized protests and pickets.
3. Leslie Avery. She and her deceased husband used to own most of the mountain. When he went to prison, she sold much of her land to pay his defense attorneys. She now owns a summer nudist camp for senior citizens. Not our top suspect, but she was bitter when her husband died in prison.
Michelle smiled. "It may seem melodramatic, but we're new at this. We hope it will give you a place to start."
"What happened to Mrs. Avery's husband?" Eric asked.
"Ah, the local legend," Mike spoke now. "The story is that about twenty years ago Charlie Avery took part in an armored car heist. The robbers took a large, undisclosed amount of money. It's speculated to be over 100 thousand, but no one knows for sure. During the robbery a security guard was shot. Eventually, Mr. Avery and two other men were arrested and convicted. The money is still missing. Every summer we have treasure hunters looking for the stash. Most people think Charlie hid the money on the mountain before he went to prison. We'll probably never know. All three men died in prison and Mrs. Avery has always insisted her husband was innocent."
"She's really a very nice woman," Michelle added. "We hated to add her to the list, but bitterness has a way of changing people. And, if she isn't involved, it's possible someone else who knows about the heist could be our vandal. Leslie and her group have a private pool session at the lodge every week during the winter," she grinned. "We have to post a CLOSED sign on the pool door, or our guests would see more than they ever wanted. A pool full of nude seniors isn't most people's idea of fun. In the summer they use their own pool. There's a large group of local members who stay in touch through the winter. It's like a Red Hat Society... without the hats, and without the clothes."
"I think CJ and Harry should investigate that lead," Matt smirked. "How far are you from being a senior citizen, CJ?"
"If you make another remark like that you won't live long enough to become one yourself," CJ warned.
"Just trying to be practical, boss," he replied shamelessly.
"Maybe he needs a five finger fondle," Sady suggested to CJ.
"That sounds obscene! How long have you practiced that one?" Matt asked.
"Ever since I saw CJ drop you in less than three seconds with those lethal digits of hers. Maybe I should go with pressure point poke instead."
"That's not any better," he laughed.
"Are you finished with the word games?" CJ asked. "Some of us would like to get to work, if you don't mind."
"Sady, stop getting me in trouble," Matt accused. She glared, and he winked. She stuck out her tongue, and CJ growled. They both turned their attention to her.
"Sorry, but the kids are restless and need play time," CJ told the Hills. "I guess I'll have to let them out to make snowmen and snow angels."
"Ooh, can we?" Sady asked eagerly.
"She was being sarcastic," Matt snorted.
Sady’s face fell, and Harry said, "Sady, we'll go out as soon as we're done here." Matt ignored the arch sniff Sady sent his way.
"Okay, but if Amanda falls and gets stuck in the snow you're pulling her out," Matt warned Harry.
"Hey, Stubbles! I heard that and let me tell you something. If I fall it's gonna to be on top of you."
Eric looked at CJ. "Are they always like this?"
"Pretty much," she nodded. The Hills appeared amused, and CJ shook her head with a frown.
Harry urged, "Aw, come on, CJ! You know you want to play outside too." Her mouth twitched, and he smiled. "Busted."
Turning to the Hills, he said, "Don't worry about the kids. Once they get it out of their system, they're good workers. I promise we'll start tonight. Right after playtime!"
They rushed to put on outdoor gear and enjoy the abundant snow. Sady made tall, skinny snow angels. Amanda's snow angels resembled chubby cherubs, with pointed hats. Her imprint in the snow only told part of the story- she was short and full figured. But she was also beautiful, with perfect mocha skin that even former beauty queen Sady envied.
The women became friends the first time they met. That friendship grew even though Amanda’s mouth could power a small city. She had an attitude the size of a small city as well.
The snow was too powdery to make a snowman, much to Sady's disappointment. She settled for a snowball fight instead. CJ showed no mercy but became a one woman sniper, both fast and accurate.
Twenty minutes later Sady was ready to get out of the cold. She and Amanda made their way to the lodge, dripping and shivering. Sady nudged Amanda when she saw the men following. "CJ won the snowball fight," she whispered. "The guys just don't want to admit it."
"I'm writing this in my journal, for future reference," Amanda replied. "You never know when this kind of information will come in handy."
It grew dark, and the outdoor floodlights came on as they entered the lodge. "It seems like an endless winter," Sady said. "I hate that it's still so early and getting dark."
"Look on the bright side," Matt advised.
"Why are you so happy? You just got owned in the snowball fight by the smallest person in our group," she replied.
"Wrong. That was strategic maneuvering. It's always a good idea to let the boss win. It keeps her happy. Besides, a month ago it was getting dark a lot earlier. Michigan winters and daylight savings time changes- there's a combination guaranteed to cause depression."
"Oh, I'm writing that one down as well- about you letting CJ win," Amanda said. "Anything else I can quote to use against you at a later date?" she asked Matt.
Matt made a snide suggestion, and Amanda huffed, "Please. My journal doesn't need that language to hold the reader's attention. It's not a cheap novel. Someday it's going to be a best seller."
"What's the title? 'The Midwest Bar Crawler's Guide'?" he mocked.
"No, the title is Famous Quotes From Stupid People," Amanda retorted.
"Hey!" CJ’s voice of authority spoke from behind. "Meeting in our room in a half hour. We're ordering room service so we can look over the notes and come up with a plan while we eat."
"How come you get the biggest room?" Matt asked when they met in the Knight’s room.
"We have the most equipment," Harry explained. "We brought our laptops and printer."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't say you brought the most baggage, because I'd have to argue that one goes to Sady and Amanda," Matt said.
"That's why we have the second biggest room," Sady replied with a satisfied grin. "We have two queen-size beds. What do you and Eric have?"
The men frowned and refused to answer. "A pull-out couch and one queen-size bed," CJ announced. "Are you boys flipping to see who gets dibs on the bed, or are you sharing it?"
"We're taking turns," Eric replied. "How did we get on this subject?"
"Blame it on your room-mate," Amanda told him. "He's always the one causing the trouble." Matt made a vocal protest.
"CJ, I don't know if we can handle four of them," Harry said over the noisy arguing.
CJ tilted her head at Harry before marching to her brother. She took him by the ear and pulled him to stand near Matt. Then she grabbed Matt’s ear. "You just need to know how to get their attention, Harry."
To Matt and Eric, she said, "You're being rude. There's a time to speak and a time to listen. When Harry and I are in the room, it's time to listen." She twisted their ears. "Understand?" They nodded the best they could with their ears in her death pinch. "Good! See, Harry? They're ready to behave." She let go, and they rubbed their sore ears.
"She was an evil teacher in another life," Matt muttered to Eric. "I'm surprised you survived childhood."
"I nearly didn't," Eric said with a black look at his sister. "And I have the scars to prove it."
"Ladies, did those two just lie to me?" CJ asked the women. "Because I thought they agreed to shut up! Do we need lesson number two?" she asked. They shook their heads obediently.
Then grab some food and find a place to sit," CJ said. "Harry and I have been talking about the list of suspects. And while you were being a smartass Matt, Harry and I are looking into Leslie Avery.
With the laptops we’ll check her past, and her husband's involvement with the robbery."
"As much as it pains me to say this, you and Eric will investigate Jenna. She's young, and more likely to open up to you than the women. Which leaves you," she nodded at Sady and Amanda, "with George."
Harry said, "It won't be as difficult as you might imagine. The Hill's have offered them a complimentary week's stay. The real reason is so they will be close for us to question. George and Jenna go straight to the top of our list because they both have stayed here previously. It seems odd they would pay to stay in a place they consider the enemy camp. Also, some employees here used to work for George, while others grew up with Jenna. It's possible either might use those connections to access restricted areas."
"As far as we know, the employees aren't involved directly. But they may have been careless with their keys, locking doors, and things like that," CJ continued. "I'd suggest starting out with casual conversations to feel them out. We have the rest of the week to work on them."
"The employees may have information without knowing. If they will talk about any of the incidents then pay attention," Harry concluded. "We'll have an evening session every night after supper for updates. If anything important arises before that, send us a text. Any questions?"
Sady shook her head. Matt asked, "How late is the pub open?" CJ sighed and Amanda answered, "Nine on Sunday, Blue Eyes. You wanna buy me a drink?"
"Well, that blew my evening plans all to hell," Matt complained. CJ herded them to the door. As they left Matt told Amanda, "No, I don't want to buy you a drink. I can't afford it!"
"That's because you're cheap. Now, the sugar cookie won't turn me down, will you?" CJ closed the door before she heard Eric’s response.
"Harry, remind me to never allow you to do this again. Three is all we can handle," she told him.
Harry smiled and promised even though CJ invited her brother... Harry let it go.