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Lunch was a chilly affair. Matt couldn't tell the Knights why Sady was mad, or he'd have to admit his part in breaking into Jenna's room. They looked puzzled, but put it down to Jenna's pool antics.
"We talked with Leslie about the man with the tattoos. His name is Bruce. She was reluctant at first, but I think she's relieved someone knows the story. I'm sure she's afraid of him," Harry told them.
"Bruce's former cell-mate was the last survivor of the three robbers. He must have believed Charlie hid the money on the mountain. Bruce scared Leslie, so she gave him an old map of the mountain. The map shows the locations of the emergency shelters the state had in place at the time. Most of them are gone now, and I'm sure any left have been searched, but I guess Bruce has other ideas. Leslie said he didn't threaten her, but I can tell she's worried. Their conversation at the bar was about the map. I think we'd better keep an eye on her, for her own safety," CJ said.
"I'm sure we could get George to help us with that," Harry said with a smile.
"George wouldn't abandon a lady in distress," Sady told them. "I like him." The implication was unspoken. Harry sent a sympathetic look in Matt's direction.
"I guess we'll check into Bruce," Harry told Matt. "He may be responsible for the other problems here at the lodge."
"Michelle told me that a winter storm is expected to come through the area," CJ reported. "If you want to enjoy the outdoors, you should do so today. If the storm is bad, the outdoor activities will be canceled tomorrow. By the way, Eric and Amanda made it home and her mom is doing well."
"I'm glad," Sady said. "And since this might be my only chance I'm going to build my snowman today," Sady said. "Even if he's only a pile of powder."
She dressed for the cold and went out to build her snowman. When Matt came over and lingered, she said, "I don't need your help. You're loitering."
"I'm just here to watch," he insisted.
"Huh! I bet," she muttered. The temperature had risen enough to make the snow good for rolling. Sady's snowman ended up larger than she planned. She turned to Matt, placing her hands on her hips. "Make yourself useful and lift his head," she told him.
She used two sticks for the arms and rocks for the eyes. Then she stood back and looked at it critically. "He's wrong," she announced. Matt handed her a carrot from his pocket.
"I took it from the kitchen," he admitted.
She smiled and poked it into the snowman's head. "Go find something to make his smile. I'm making him a hat." He returned with radishes and handed them to her. She finished her snowman with a smile of her own. "Wait!" She took Matt's scarf and wrapped it around the snowman. "Now take my picture." He used his phone and took her picture, then took one of them both with the snowman.
"Now I'm taking my scarf back," he announced.
"First go get him a few buttons so he can at least pretend he has on a jacket," she insisted. "Otherwise, he'll look cold."
"You're nuts, Sady," he said with a smile.
"I know, thank you very much! Now go find buttons." He returned with popcorn. "That's the best you could do?" she asked.
"The kitchen staff wouldn't let me in again, so I had to beg the bartender. At least he's got a coat." Sady admired their handiwork enthusiastically. "Can I take my scarf now?" She nodded, happy she built her snowman.
Instead of wrapping the scarf around his own neck, Matt slipped it over Sady's shoulders and pulled her close. "You're not still mad, are you?" he asked, his blue eyes close to her brown eyes.
"Arty and I forgive you," she said with a hug.
"Arty?"
"Short for Arctic," she explained.
"Any chance you'd model that bikini for me again?" he asked hopefully.
"That suit wasn't for your benefit."
"Well, I can attest to the personal benefits from my viewpoint," he replied.
"Which viewpoint was that? From the pool or from the hall you were supposed to be watching?" she asked. “What happened?'
“I only talked with those two girls for...” His eyes flicked to the side to gauge her expression. “This is one of those subjects it's better to drop, isn't it?"
She bared her teeth, and he sighed. "Are you going to tell me to look on the bright side?" he asked.
"No, I'm just going to let you suffer," she laughed. "You brought that all down on yourself."
"Uh, huh. And now I'm letting it drop. See how wise I'm becoming in my old age?" he inquired.
"Yes, your mother would be proud of you. If you keep it up, you'll soon qualify for the nudist colony. But I'm not sure she'd approve of that."
"She'd approve of you," he said as he pulled the scarf tighter. "Your nose is cold, Sassafras. How about those lips?" A minute later he drew back. "Your lips are definitely hot," he smiled.
"The rest of me is cold," Sady shivered.
"I know how to take care of that," he said eagerly.
"So do I! It's called hot chocolate and a warm fire."
"Spoil sport," he accused her.
"Just making sure we're staying mother approved," she assured him.
As they headed to the lodge Sady pointed to the snowmobiles and said, "If the weather's not bad tomorrow, I'm renting one of those."
"Do you know how to drive a snowmobile, Sady?"
"No, but Amanda says it's easy. Like riding a bike," she told him with a bright smile.
"I see. And has Amanda ever ridden a bike?"
"Probably not, but she's been on a jet-ski, and she says it's the same thing," Sady assured him.
"Sady?"
"Hmm?"
"There are no trees in a lake. Also no ditches, or fence rows, or rocks, or ridges."
"Well, that's not my fault. If you don't like it, then take it up with Amanda."
Matt rubbed his forehead. "Promise me you won't take one of those out by yourself, Sady."
She scowled, but he held his ground. "Fine. I won't take one out by myself. Are you happy now?"
"Not really, but at least if you wrap yourself around a tree there will be a witness to let your uncle know what happened. Hopefully, a witness that's still alive."
"Just for that I want extra marshmallows in my hot chocolate."
"You're lying. You wanted those extra marshmallows anyway," he told her.
"Yes, but now I expect the little ones in different colors!"
***
“There's nothing to report on Bruce,” CJ announced that night. “Other than his contact with Leslie we can't tie him to anything that happened here. We still have George keeping an eye on her though, just in case.”
"The Hills have decided not to press charges against Jenna," Harry told them, ignoring Sady's snort. "It will need a judge's approval, but as long as she pays for the damages and performs community service they're satisfied."
"I hope making her shave is part of the community service," Matt mumbled to Sady. She smiled and tucked her arm around his. Harry looked sideways at CJ with a small grin. It was good when the kids played nice.
The snowstorm started late that night. It still raged when they awakened in the morning. Sady opened one eye and told CJ, "Wake me when it's over." But she couldn't go back to sleep, so she got ready for the day.
By mid-afternoon she'd had all the puzzles and games she could stand. "I'm going out for a walk around the lodge," she announced.
"You can't go out in this. You'll get lost," Matt cautioned.
"I'm not likely going to lose sight of the lodge if I walk around it, dummy! Go back to cheating at Scrabble with another patsy." Matt grinned because he beat Sady three games in a row. She left to change into her outdoor gear.
Leslie and George talked with the Knights for a while. Bruce hovered nearby and Matt watched him with suspicion. Eventually Leslie and George wandered off, and Matt relaxed. Bruce lingered for a while, then he got up and left.
Matt went to sit with Harry and CJ. "Everyone's getting cabin fever," Harry said. "George and Leslie have stepped out for fresh air. Maybe that's not a bad idea."
They turned at the commotion coming from the doorway. George yelled, trying to get their attention. "Matt, you'd better grab your coat," Harry said as CJ made her way to George.
Harry met Matt in the hall as Matt returned to the great room. "Bruce grabbed Leslie while she was out walking with George. George said Bruce had a snowmobile ready to go, but he didn't know where they were going." Matt raced for the door before Harry finished speaking.
Sady waited for him outside, sitting on an idling snowmobile.
"We agreed you wouldn't take one of these out by yourself," Matt hollered when he saw her.
"I didn't take one out," she replied. "I've been driving this thing around in circles waiting for some action. I just saw Bruce haul tail on one of these, and he had Leslie with him. She didn't look like a willing passenger!" She pointed to the tracks, quickly covered by the snowstorm. "Those are his."
"Well, get off so I can follow them," Matt shouted.
"Oh, no! This thing is rented in my name and I agreed I wouldn't let anyone else drive," she insisted.
"Sady, we're going to lose them if we don't get moving."
"Then you'd better hop on, because I'm following them," she replied. "With or without you."
"My will's not up to date. I can't let you drive!"
"You don't have a choice. Aren't you glad I didn't get the model with only a half seat?" she asked, patting the empty spot behind her. She looked at the tracks. "If we lose them it's your fault."
Matt mumbled under his breath, then climbed onto the snowmobile. "Are you sure you know... hell on a half shell, Sady!" She nearly launched him off the back when she gave it the full throttle. He grabbed her waist and buried his face into her back. "If you're going to kill us I'd rather not see it coming," he shouted.
He let loose with a stream of obscenities when she shot over a ridge and the snowmobile left the ground. "Did Jenna hire a hit on me?" he yelled.
"Don't be paranoid! I'm just following the tracks Bruce left with his machine. You don't want me to lose them, do you?" Matt buried his head and prayed for the storm to wipe out Bruce's tracks.
No such luck. "I think we're gaining on them," Sady shouted. "The tracks are really clear now."
"Maybe you should slow down then," he suggested.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to get there too late?" she asked, suddenly swerving to avoid a tree. That maneuver nearly threw both of them off the machine. "It's a good thing I got the fast one, huh?"
Matt said something uncomplimentary, but Sady didn't hear him. "We're in the woods, Sady! I think it's safe to slow down... please!" he begged.
"Shut up! Do you want him to hear us coming?" she yelled as the machine screamed through the woods.
Matt ignored the irony of that question and prayed for patience. "Why didn't you bring Harry?"
"Only two of us will fit on this thing, Matt, no matter how hard you try! Next time I can check for a three seater if it's that important to you." Matt was now laughing as hard as he was praying... until Sady stopped so fast he almost flipped off the machine.
She jabbed him with her elbow and pointed ahead, to where Bruce parked his machine outside a small shelter. "They must be in there," she whispered after she cut the power to her snowmobile.
"You think?" he asked sarcastically.
"There's no need to be snotty because I wouldn't let you drive, Matt."
"Sady, stay here and let me take a closer look, please? There's no way Bruce didn't hear us approach." He pushed her head down when the door of the shack opened.
"Who's out there?" Bruce yelled.
Chapter
Sady patted Matt's arm and said, "I've got this. You sneak up and take him out while I distract him." Before he could stop her, Sady yelled to Bruce. "Excuse me, sir. Is this your place?"
Matt closed his eyes. "That's your plan? Asking him stupid questions?" he whispered. Sady kicked at him and told him to quiet down before Bruce suspected something.
"Hey," Bruce yelled. "I've got my pistol pointed straight at your head. Tell your friend to quit hiding and both of you get in here."
"Now look what you did," Sady hissed. "You ruined my whole plan."
"Plan?" Matt asked. "Was I supposed to leap through the non-existent window and knock him out? Or should I shoot him with my pretend gun?"
"Use your imagination, for Pete's sake," she scolded.
"Imagination is no defense against a real bullet, Sady."
"Well, if you had shut up and kept down, we wouldn't be in trouble," she grumbled.
"Are you kidding me? Like no one heard us arrive? Even the wildlife moved to higher ground. Any that didn't escape are probably still riding the shock waves you created."
"Are you two done?" Bruce asked impatiently. "I've seen divorces move faster than you two!" Sady and Matt reluctantly walked toward Bruce. He waved them into the shack with his gun. He had an electric lantern, and they could see Leslie in the corner with her hands and feet bound.
"I really didn't need a bigger party," Bruce complained. Looking at Sady he said, "Grab that rope, and tie up your friend."
She gave him a defiant look. "Do it yourself."
"What are you doing?" Matt hissed.
"He's going to kill us, anyway. Why should I do his dirty work for him?" she asked with a glare. "Besides, my fingers are cold and cramped." Sady took off her gloves and rubbed her hands together. She turned to Bruce, "Well, are you stupid, deaf, or both? Do you really think I'd do a good job tying him? You should have brought duct tape. It's easier."
"Is she always this much of a pain?" Bruce turned to ask Matt. Before Matt could reply Sady launched herself at Bruce and clung to his back.
"She's crazy!" Bruce yelled. "Lady, this gun is loaded." He pointed it at Matt. Matt ducked and avoided the shot Bruce fired at him.
"That wasn't nice," Sady screamed in Bruce's ear. She used one hand to stab him in the eye with a finger. Bruce howled in pain as he tried to shake her off.
Matt lunged, and he grappled with Bruce for the weapon. The gun discharged again, this time hitting a side wall. Bruce pulled the gun away from Matt and shook off Sady. He kicked her. "Crazy bit..." Matt tackled Bruce, and the gun came loose, landing near the front door.
Sady ran for the gun while the men fought. "Quit fighting or I'm going to shoot you, graffiti jackass," Sady yelled. Bruce ignored her and punched Matt in the jaw. Sady waved the gun at the Bruce.
Matt saw her point the gun, and he dropped to the floor. Sady aimed at Bruce and fired... right through the roof of the shack. A piece of rotting wood broke loose and hit Bruce on the head. He dropped to the floor while tiny pieces of shredded paper fell like confetti in a ticker tape parade. Sady tossed the gun and ran to see if Matt was okay.
"Get me the rope and don't touch that gun again!" he yelled at her.
"So, that's the thanks I get for saving your life," she steamed as she handed him the rope, then went to untie Leslie. "Next time you're on your own."
"Thank you!" he replied rudely. "I'll have a better chance for survival." While he tied Bruce, the women looked at the confetti dropping from the ceiling.
Sady took the lantern and held it closer to the roof. "There's a hidden space below the roof," she said. "Whatever's up there is now animal bedding."
She stopped when no one replied. Leslie looked stunned. "What's wrong?" Sady asked Matt.
"Look, Sady! It's the hidden money!" He held out a couple of the larger shreds.
Sady glared at him and slapped it from his hand. "Stop being mean." She hugged Leslie, who wiped a tear from her cheek.
"It's okay," she said. "I always knew Charlie was involved. I just never wanted to believe it. This is one of the few remaining original storm shelters. Charlie must have built a small space to hide the money. From down here it looks like the original roof."
Bruce moaned from the floor. "After all that work the only thing left is rodent shreds?"
Sady kicked him and said, "It serves you right! You look like a walking menu with all your tattoos!"
"Harsh words, Sady," Matt teased.
Bruce still glared at Sady. “I should sue you for personal injury. I think you broke my back! How much do you weigh?”
Matt turned with interest and grinned at Sady. “Aren't you going to answer the man? It's the least you can do after ruining his life.”
Sady scowled and told them a number, adding “give or take.”
Bruce grunted in disbelief. “I'd say give. There's no way you're only a buck thirty five! I'd say you're pushing at least one and a half C's.”
Sady narrowed her eyes. "Don't make me use that gun again!"
Matt interrupted. "You can't. I emptied it for the safety of everyone here! You could have killed someone."
She sniffed. "Don't be ridiculous. I wasn't aiming it at you."
"That's what scares me." Before she continued arguing he suggested they take the sleds back to the lodge. "Everyone's bound to be worried about us."
"I'll lead the way back," Sady offered.
"Oh, no! Leslie can do that if she's up to driving." In a not-so-quiet-tone he said, "Leslie, if you have an ounce of self-preservation you'll want to drive." Sady rumbled, and Leslie asked how long they'd been a couple.
"Leslie, I thought you were a wise woman until that last comment," Matt said insultingly, while Sady protested, "We're not!"
Matt pulled Bruce to his feet and guided him out the door. He put him on a snowmobile and tied his hands to the back. When Bruce complained Matt threatened to let Sady drive.
"I'd rather walk," Bruce said. "She's insane!"
"No one appreciates a woman with balls," Sady griped as she sat behind Leslie.
"You'll get no argument from me," Matt said before he started the machine. Sady's response was lost in the noise.