Page 61 of K-9 Prime Target

“Are you surprised?” Brian accepted his mug of light draft. “All those people who were skiing today end up here. It was nonstop calls all day.” He took a long drink of beer. “Has Doug said when we’re going to get more help?”

“You know Doug,” Connor said. “Lots of positive talk, but he only acts when he’s ready.”

“I miss Nina,” Renee said. “We really need her right now. And you know she’d rather be working than sitting at home.”

“Except she’s not sitting at home today,” Raz said.

“Oh?” Brian asked. “Where is she?”

“She and Liam skied up to one of the huts,” Raz said. “I loaned them some of my gear, since she lost a lot of hers when that maniac attacked her house.”

“What an awful thing to happen,” Renee said. “I can’t even imagine.”

“It’ll be good for her to get away for a few days,” Connor said.

“Which hut?” Brian asked.

“The same one she and Renee and I visited last year, on the edge of Primrose Bowl.”

“Number five, isn’t it?” Connor said.

“That’s right,” Raz said. “It’s not the closest to a parking area, so it doesn’t get used as much as some of the others, but there’s a gorgeous view up there. When the three of us went, we spent most of one day skiing the bowl, then hiking back up to do it again.”

The jukebox switched to a popular upbeat song, and Renee shoved back her chair. “I love this song. Dance with me, Brian?”

“You want to dance with me?” he asked.

“Raz won’t dance.”

“Sure.” The two left the table.

“You really don’t dance?” Connor asked.

“Nope. I’ve got two left feet. Except when I’m on skis. But I like to watch Renee dance.” She turned toward the dance floor.

Connor swore under his breath and half rose from his chair. “What is it?” Raz asked, startled by this uncharacteristic outburst.

“I just caught a glimpse of a guy in a black ski helmet with a Mt. Hood Meadows sticker on it.”

“The guy who’s been after Nina?” Raz stood also. “Where is he?”

“Through there.” Connor was already moving away from the table. Raz followed him. They had to push past a rowdy group by the door. Finally they reached the door and rushed out onto the sidewalk.

“Do you still see him?” Raz asked.

“No.” Connor continued to scan the street on either side. He swore again. “That had to be him.” He turned to her. “Did you see him?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, I didn’t.”

“Let’s go back inside.”

Coming back in, they collided with someone going out. “Oh, hey, Derek.” Connor greeted the young man.

“I saw you two heading out in a hurry,” Derek said. He glanced at Raz. “False alarm?”

“We thought we spotted a guy in a black helmet with a Mt. Hood Meadows sticker,” Raz said. “Did you see him?”

Derek shook his head. “That’s the guy who’s been hassling Nina, isn’t it?” he asked.