“Who, as far as I know, is very much single.”
“I’m living vicariously through my happily involved friends. They give me hope that maybe true love is possible.”
If someone like Nina—a famous athlete and model—couldn’t find “true love,” that didn’t leave much hope for the ordinary rest of the population. “Right now, all I’m worried about is turning in the monthly report,” he said.
“I guess that’s my cue to get back to work.” She slid off the desk, rubbed Farley behind the ears and left.
Connor sat back and sighed. In spite of his protests that he didn’t care where Stacy was right now, he couldn’t get her out of his thoughts. What was she up to? Had she found out anything more about the protest group’s plans? Who was Shane, and what did he want from Connor?
A knock on the door distracted him, and he looked up to see Doug, in ski jacket and helmet. “Let’s take in a few runs together,” the resort manager said.
“Farley needs some exercise,” Connor said.
“Bring him, too.”
Connor locked up, retrieved his skis, and they headed for the ski lift.
“I needed to get out of the office for a while,” Doug said when they were on the lift.
“Everything okay?” Connor asked. He scanned the runs spread out below them, alert for any sign of trouble.
“You wouldn’t believe the hoops we have to jump through with this expansion request. The Forest Service wants a new form or document or study every day, and now the feds have come in with this talk of possible terrorists. Corporate is riding me hard to make it all go away.”
And that’s why they pay you the big bucks, Connor thought. “Sounds intense,” he said.
“Has Stacy learned anything more about the stolen explosives?” Doug asked.
“She hasn’t said anything to me.”
“You two have been spending a lot of time together.”
“You’ve been keeping track?”
“Of her. Not you. You know, the resort comped her a place at CrestView Condos. A premium unit. The thinking was she would be impressed enough to keep us more in the loop. I need her to tell me this is all resolved so I can get corporate off my back. What is taking her so long? It’s six days since the theft, and as far as I know, she hasn’t even identified a suspect.”
Connor thought of Shane. “I don’t know,” he said. “Why don’t you ask her?”
Doug looked away. “I have. She won’t tell me anything.”
“I don’t think that’s unusual for law enforcement. You probably won’t know anything about her investigation until it’s over. None of us will.”
“Keep me posted.”
I’m not your spy.But again, discretion curbed his tongue. “I’m sure if there’s anything you need to know, Stacy will tell you.”
They reached the top of the lift just as Doug’s phone rang. He swore under his breath. “I have to take this,” he said and stopped to one side of the lift. “Go on without me.”
“Come on, Farley.” The dog raced alongside as Connor cut down one side of an ungroomed blue run named Wildcat. Fewer people braved the thick, choppy snow here, but it was also the kind of run where less experienced skiers could get into trouble. Connor had the run to himself right now and let Farley race ahead, stretching out his legs after a morning in the kennel.
He called the dog back to him when Wildcat intersected a more popular, groomed run. He slowed and steered through crowds of skiers.
“It’s Farley!” a teenage girl called and waved.
The dog glanced over to her but kept pace with Connor.
“Connor! Wait up!”
He slid to a stop and looked around to see George skiing toward him.
