Then the raucous notes of a new song startled them apart. He moved away, and she shivered with a sudden chill. “I’ll get us a drink,” he said and headed toward the bar.
She stood along one wall, watching the door. No more dancing. She had forgotten herself for a moment there. Forgotten her purpose. She didn’t like that out-of-control sensation.
A rise in conversation near the door heralded new arrivals. Jace Dennison entered with Nate Lee and two women Stacy didn’t recognize.
“Hope beer is okay.” Connor returned to her side and pressed a glass into her hand.
“Oh sure. Thanks.” She nodded toward the door. “Look who’s here.”
“Hmm.” Connor sipped his beer. “I saw Jace at the ski resort this afternoon,” he said. “He seemed upset about something. He ran off before I could say much.”
“Let’s go talk to him and his friend.” She led the way toward where the quartet had crowded around a small table. “Hey, Jace.”
“Oh hey.” Jace didn’t look particularly happy to see them.
“And I remember your friend.” Connor nodded to Nate. “But I didn’t get your name.”
“It’s Nate.”
“Hi, Nate. I’m Connor.”
“The ski patroller. I remember.”
“Did Shane find anyone to take care of those fireworks for him?” Connor asked.
Nate choked on his beer. He coughed and set the glass aside. “How did you know about the fireworks?”
“Shane asked me to help him with them,” Connor said. “I had to turn him down. I know a lot about blowing things up but nothing about putting on fireworks displays.”
“Hey, keep your voice down,” Jace said. “Somebody might hear.”
Connor sipped his beer. “Nothing illegal about fireworks,” he said. “Or the stuff we use to set off avalanches. Not if you have the right permits.”
“I’d rather talk about something else.” Jace took the hand of the woman beside him. “Let’s dance.”
“Jace has been a little jumpy since his accident,” Nate said when the couple had left. “I heard you were the one who pulled him out of that tree well.”
Connor nodded. “I guess that kind of thing would shake up anyone.”
“I know you said fireworks aren’t your thing, but you should reconsider helping us,” Nate said. “I’m sure your specialized knowledge would come in handy.”
His date, a curvy dark beauty, leaned in closer. “Nate, we came to dance,” she said.
“We can talk later,” Nate said and allowed the woman to lead him to the dance floor.
Stacy and Connor sat at the vacated table. “What do you think?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Jace is upset about something, but it might not have anything to do with the protests. Nate seems to be hinting at something, but it’s easy to read too much into what people say simply because I want something to be there.” She massaged the knot in the side of her neck. “Everything about this case is frustrating.”
“Are your bosses pressuring you?”
She shook her head. “They haven’t said a thing. But that’s worrying, too. Maybe Dad is right, and they sent me here to get rid of me.”
“Because of your dad?”
“I don’t know.”
“What happened with him? What did he do to get on the wrong side of his bosses? You said he was a rebel, but is that all there is to it?”
