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The next morning, Amanda complained throughout breakfast. "Tough," Sady told her. "We're taking the short cross-country ski trail. It's less than an hour from start to finish."
"It's a waste of an hour, if you want my opinion," Amanda sniffed. "I need to question more people here in the lounge."
"You can do that this afternoon and evening," Sady said firmly. "Now finish up so we can get our equipment."
The man at the rental shop looked at them doubtfully and Amanda took exception. "Listen, buddy, times a wasting- now hop to it and get our stuff so I can get this over with." He gaped at Amanda's bright orange outfit one too many times for her liking. She grasped the front of his shirt. "I'm not going to be the target of one of you hillbilly poachers. I know how you mountain people live, and I won't be the main course at your Deliverance festival next summer," she said, while Sady gestured for him to ignore her. "Now get us those leg breakers and show us how to use them."
As they prepared to leave with their ski equipment, the man approached Sady and handed her an item. "What's this?"
"A GPS tracker." Amanda overheard and glared. "It's just a precaution, but there's no way you can get lost," he said defensively.
Sady shoved it into her pocket before Amanda reached the poor guy. "Come on, Amanda. This will be fun." She dragged Amanda out and they soon got the hang of it.
Amanda’s howl of disdain echoed across the quiet landscape. "Yeah, you keep saying that. Be sure to let me know when the fun starts because I'm not feeling it yet."
They skied for a while, then Amanda stopped. "Where's that map? I thought this was supposed to be easy. Are we lost?"
Sady looked at the trail markers. "We can't be lost. See those blue signs? Those are for the short trail. We're on the right track, but it does seem a little more difficult than I imagined." She showed Amanda the map.
"I think whoever placed these markers was color blind," she complained. "No way this is the short trail."
"Well, we have to be closer to the finish than the start, so let's keep going," Sady suggested. They kept going... and going.
"Are we having fun yet?" Amanda asked sarcastically. Sady stopped and laughed. "What's so funny?"
"I think we're lost," Sady giggled.
"And that's funny?" Amanda asked.
"No, but I don't know what else to do," she said with a helpless shrug.
"Use that GPS thing and call someone," Amanda suggested.
"Hang on, let me get it from my pocket." Sady pressed the panic button and put it back in her pocket.
"Great. What time are they coming? That rescue vehicle better have a well-upholstered seat and heat because I'm gonna need something comfortable."
"Amanda, I think we have a problem," Sady said.
"We've been shuffling these slabs for how many hours and you're just figuring that out? What's the problem?"
"We can't stand still, or we'll freeze. But if we keep moving, it will take them longer to find us."
"Someone's gonna pay for this," Amanda assured Sady. "Which direction should we take?"
"I don't think it matters," Sady shivered. "It's been a while since we passed a blue sign. It's like they just stopped."
"Uh, huh. Don't listen to the smart woman. She knew better than strap slats to her feet and go for a stroll in the snow. Snow is for throwing, or shoveling, if necessary. It shouldn't be recreational," Amanda stated. She pointed. "Look, there're some tracks. Why don't we follow them?"
"Those are snowmobile tracks, Amanda. Who knows where they'll lead?"
"Are you worried we'll get lost?" Amanda asked in a snippy voice.
Sady giggled, and soon they both laughed in near hysteria. "I can't feel my toes," Sady confessed.
"That does it. We're going this way." Amanda pointed to the snowmobile tracks, and they moved in that direction. After a distance Amanda held up her hand. "Do you hear that? Someone's finally coming to save us." She waved her arms as a snowmobile flew over a ridge and nearly ran over them.
"I don't think he came for us, Amanda!" They jumped out of the way and lay in the snow when the angry driver came back and cut his engine.
"Are you stupid?" he yelled. "What are you doing out here, trying to get killed? You're hell and gone from the ski trail!"
"I think we're lost," Sady explained apologetically, as they got to their feet.
"You think? Bunny, you and the Safety Zone are not just lost, you're crazy! Don't you know you're not supposed to be on the snowmobile range? The ski trail ended miles back."
Sady waited for Amanda to let loose on the guy. She didn't, and Sady knew Amanda was too tired and cold to complain. They huddled together, shivering.
The driver calmed down and asked, "How long have you been wandering out here?"
With chattering teeth she shrugged. "I don't know. A couple hours? What time is it?"
"It's after one," he replied.
"Then I guess we've been wandering around for four hours... on the short trail," Sady tried not to laugh. "Is there any way we could catch a ride back to the lodge with you?" she asked hopefully.
"Does it look like we'll all fit?"
"If we squeeze in tight?" Sady suggested with a smile. Amanda hadn't said a word, and it worried Sady.
The man laughed. "My buddies will be along in a few minutes. We'll take you back to the lodge. And a word of advice- stay off the trails. All of them!"
When his buddies arrived on snowmobiles, she and Amanda each got on one. A third driver took their equipment. As they approached the lodge Sady saw the rescue team coming toward them.
The machines all stopped, and that's when Amanda started. Everything she'd been holding in spilled out of her mouth. "I'm gonna hunt down that little twerp from the rental shop," she threatened. "That short one hour trail, and he's just sending in the troops, five hours later? Wait until I get my hands on him!"
She already moved to the rescue team's snowmobile while Sady shivered and hugged each of their rescuers. "You guys are heroes today," she told them, making them smile.
“Yeah. What she said,” Amanda yelled.
One driver spoke to the rescue team leader. "Hey, buddy, these ladies didn't get lost on their own. Someone moved the trail markers. I've skied here before, and those markers are all messed up. At one point they completely disappear. This wasn't an accident."
"Thanks," the leader said. "We'll close it down until we figure out what happened. You guys come by anytime for a free weekend pass." Their rescuers drove off and the lodge crew took Sady and Amanda back to the lodge.
The Knights were pacing when the two tired women came through the door. Everyone hugged them, including CJ, which made Sady smile. CJ only liked hugging Harry.
The Hills rushed to greet them then insisted, "They need to be checked by the EMTs." So Harry and Eric assisted Amanda to the room while Matt and CJ helped Sady.
The EMT asked everyone except CJ to leave while he examined the women. "No frost bite or hypothermia," he announced. "You two were lucky."
"Lucky would have been avoiding the situation from the start," Amanda told him.
The Hills stopped to check on them and Sady handed the tracker to Mike before he left. Mike grabbed Harry in the hall and showed him the tracker.
"Someone tampered with this," Mike said angrily. "This unit is dead. We use rechargeable batteries and the units stay on the charger until they're signed out. We don't use this brand of batteries." After that he and Michelle left to talk with the employee at the rental shop.
“I have an announcement,” Sady said, when they gathered for their meeting. Everyone looked at her expectantly. “I've officially given up snow skiing, forever. Winter sports for Sady are restricted to snowmen and snow angels.”
"She hasn't lost her sense of humor," Harry said..
"I just don't get it, Sady," Matt remarked. "How can someone with your background be such a disaster when it comes to skiing?"
"I finally figured that one out," Sady replied. "There’s too much equipment. Between the coats, gloves, extra pants, and everything else it throws off my balance."
"If you say so," he teased.
"Are you okay, Amanda?" Harry nudged Matt for being rude.
An indignant noise escaped her lips. "Don't get me started, handsome, because I won't stop. Where's the booze?"
"She's fine," Matt announced. He pretended to joke, but Sady could tell it shook him. They were all upset over the incident.
"And for the record, we didn't get lost," Amanda said. "Someone moved the trail markers."
Harry and CJ exchanged a look. "Eat something hot, then get some rest," CJ told them. She held open the door and waited for Matt and Eric to exit first. Eric left, but Matt lingered. "Hey, Amanda, I'm glad you didn't get lost. And when you're back on your feet, the next round's on me."
A grin split her face. "Why, Stubbles, if I didn't know better I'd think you were worried about me."
"Then it's a good thing you know me better," he replied with a smile.
He stopped next to Sady. "You had me worried too, Snow Bunny. Never do that again." He smoothed her hair back and kissed her forehead before he left.
"Hey, Blue Eyes, you forgot about me," Amanda yelled.
"No, I didn't," he replied from the hall.
"Then send the Swedish brownie back," she called as CJ door closed on her way out.
The server brought their food after everyone left. Amanda took a look and said, "Soup? Who are you kidding? We're starved and traumatized. We need comfort food, like macaroni and cheese. The good stuff, not the chemicals in a box. And a hot cinnamon roll, or warm apple pie for dessert would be fine."
"I'll see what I can do," he promised. A half hour later he returned and Amanda lifted the lid eagerly.
"That's more like it," she announced. "Add a nice tip to the bill for yourself." He brought everything Amanda requested.
"Just call if you need anything else," the server said as he left.
Sady picked at her food. She felt tired but not hungry so she pushed her tray toward Amanda. Then she fluffed her pillow for a nap. Amanda soon followed Sady in the nap department.
While they napped, the Knights stopped at the rental shop with the Hills, to check the rest of the GPS trackers. They questioned the employee who rented the equipment to Amanda and Sady. He showed them the equipment check-out sheet with his initials showing the tracker worked when he checked for a signal..
They soon learned the remaining GPS units registered a signal, but contained a different brand of batteries than used by the lodge. When the units were pulled from the chargers they died in less than an hour. Mike ran his hand through his hair in frustration, apologizing for the situation. Michelle was distraught.
"This matter will be settled before we leave," Harry promised. "No one messes with our girls." CJ didn't speak, but the look on her face backed Harry's promise.
When Sady awakened, she felt better. Amanda was still sleeping and Sady checked the tray. The ordeal hadn't affected Amanda's appetite. Everyone was probably at supper, but she didn't feel like facing a crowd of people. She went to the bar and sat on a stool, grateful to find it nearly empty.
The bartender laughed when she ordered a hot chocolate. He introduced himself as Jerry. "I've been with the Hills since they opened. Sorry to hear about your mishap this afternoon." He shook his head sympathetically.
Sady didn't reply for a moment, not sure if Jerry knew the reason they stayed at the lodge. "Do you think it was kids playing a prank?" she asked. That seemed a safe question.
Jerry looked her directly in the eye. "No, I don't. That was beyond a prank, and dangerous. I'd like to get my hands on the person responsible for what's going on around here."
Sady knew she was going out on a limb, but she already wasted most of the day and wanted to accomplish something besides making the local news. "Have you heard any interesting conversations lately?" If the Hills trusted him, then he might share information with her that he didn’t tell the police. Since the local law passed the episodes off as pranks, they likely didn’t interview him and it seemed doubtful they would act on what he might consider pertinent.
"Since you asked, I overheard an older gentleman, a skier, talking with a nature nut a few weeks ago. They talked about the ski lodge business and how a single bad season can put it under." He casually wiped the counter in front of Sady.
"Really? Anything else?" Sady smiled encouraging him to continue.
"It gets noisy in here, and sometimes I see more than I hear. Would you like a refill?"
Sady nodded. "Your line of sight must be limited, standing behind that counter."
"Yeah, but I have a good view of those booths. Would you believe just last week there was a guy covered with tattoos, sitting there with an older woman? I think he was recently a guest of the state. I didn't get the impression she wanted his company, but he insisted on talking about old rumors. I think he upset the poor lady."
"Jerry, your powers of observation are admirable," she told him as the door opened. Harry peered in and his face cleared.
"There you are. Let me cancel the APB." He sent a text, then pulled out a stool and sat next to Sady. He ordered a beer and looked at her hot chocolate. "Hitting it hard?" he teased.
"Just trying to relax and avoid the crowd," she admitted.
"Refill?"
"Sorry, two is my limit, or you'll have to peel me off the ceiling tonight. I'll be in full sugar flight. Have you seen Amanda?"
Harry nodded and raised his eyes. "She was entering the dining room as I left. I think she cornered Matt and Eric before they could escape."
"Which means they'll be here soon. Amanda won't forget that free drink Matt promised," Sady smiled.
"How are you feeling, Sady?" he asked, still worried. "We wouldn't have brought you and Amanda if we'd known it would be so dangerous."
She patted his arm, then she smacked it. "I'm fine, thanks for your concern. But I'm also part of the team. I don't want to be left home just because things might get dangerous, and you're worried about me."
"CJ and I have been talking. We'd like to keep you working in the field with us, but with the work we do you must get training, Sady. For your own safety and for our peace of mind."
"You're not going to send me to a military academy, are you?" she asked with a frown.
He laughed. "That would be like sending CJ to beauty school. We had in mind basic survival skills, safety, and personal protection. We all need an update in first aid," he added, when he saw the stubborn look on her face. In the past, Sady refused to carry a gun and take lessons at the shooting range. Harry knew it was time to change the subject.
As the pub filled, he asked if she'd eaten. He gave her a sideways look when she said no. "Go get something to eat before you drop. You see why you need training? Do you think CJ or I would let our energy reserves get low?" He pushed her toward the door. "If you're up to it, we can have a brief update in a half hour." She nodded as she left the pub.
Sady found the kitchen, and the staff fixed her something special. "Tell your boss I said you do outstanding work," she complimented as she left, taking her plate to the Knight's room for the evening update.
"Hey, we didn't get that for supper," Matt said as he looked at Sady's plate. He tried to snag a piece of fried chicken and she slapped his hand.
"Oh, no! I haven't eaten since breakfast," she scolded.
"Park it," CJ told Matt.
"How about a double digit drop?" Sady suggested to CJ.
"I might if the boys haven't come up with anything useful today," she threatened.
"Keep those fingers to yourself," Eric replied. "We have something useful to contribute. It just so happens that our hirsute environmentalist is an avid deer hunter."
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?" Sady asked.
"Not necessarily," Harry spoke. "The whitetail deer overpopulation in Michigan causes suffering and starvation of the herd. Hunters help keep the numbers under control. Responsible hunters take down the game mercifully. In many areas families count on the venison to supplement their food supply."
Matt glared and said, "Thank you, Ranger Harry."
"Well, what's the big deal?" Amanda asked. "She probably throws pop cans out the window of her car when no one is looking. So what?"
"She's really into hunting- she has a tree stand, a deer blind, camouflage clothing, a feeding station... and skunk oil to prevent deer from picking up human scent," Eric finished.
"We think she's responsible for the laundry room. With Amanda's information from the kitchen staff it looks like she's responsible for the freezer, as well," Matt said. "But, I can't see her putting someone's life in danger. Whoever moved those trail markers went beyond a prank. That's a different level of attack than candy bars in the pool." He looked at Eric, and they shared a burst of laughter.
"Would you like to share with the rest of the class?" CJ asked.
"Did you take a look at the final report on the pool?" Matt asked, still chuckling.
"No. But I'm guessing you geniuses did. What's so funny?"
"Our vandal has a sense of humor," Eric told her. "Do you know what kind of candy was thrown in the pool?"
"Enlighten us," she replied in exasperation.
"Mounds, Goobers, and Chunky bars," he howled.
"What, no Snickers or Bun Bars?" she asked sarcastically.
"Good, one, Sis!" he sputtered. CJ rubbed her forehead and turned to Harry.
"I agree with Matt. The indoor episodes are on a different level than the rental shop and ski trail incidents," Harry said. "I wonder if we are dealing with more than one vandal."
Sady shared what Jerry, the bartender, told her. "I think the tattoo guy was in the pool the other night," she said.
"We spent a while talking with Leslie, but she didn't mention him," CJ said. "She volunteered the story of her husband's arrest and prison sentence after we told her the reason for our stay. When we asked if she'd ever looked for the money she seemed rather ashamed to say no. We think she doesn't want proof her husband took part in the robbery although deep down I'm sure she knows the truth."
"Which brings us to her relationship with George. At the time Leslie wanted to open her business, George was doing well financially, and he loaned her the money. She insisted he be there for the grand opening. That's how he ended up in the newspaper photo," Harry continued.
"Now that the financial situation is reversed, George is shy around Leslie. He really is a gentleman and doesn't want her to think he is after her money. It's all a circle of irony, since Leslie and George seem sweet on each other," CJ finished.
"The girls are getting gooey eyed," Matt said in disgust to Eric.
"I'm not gooey eyed, stupid! George is a sweet man, and he deserves to be happy!" Sady said defensively. "He is also a gentleman! That makes a total of two I now know." She tucked her arm around Harry's and stuck out her tongue at the other two men.
"If we're done, I'm ready for a drink," Matt said.
"Well, it's about time! I'm dying of thirst over here. I hope you brought your credit card, because I have some make up drinking to do," Amanda declared as she pulled him to the door.
"Go have fun but remember Vegas," CJ cautioned That reminder was all Sady needed to veto the invitation. Eric joined Matt and Amanda at the bar.
Before Sady left the Knight's room she reminded Harry and CJ about her conversation with the bartender. "We'll look into the guy with the tattoos," CJ assured her.
Sady was still awake when Amanda returned. "Stubbles cheaped out after a couple rounds," she complained. "Said he and Eric needed a good night's sleep. That's okay. I'll get him to pay up when we get home."