There were twin beds, a small fireplace, a bathroom, and
a wet bar. There were also two hooded bathrobes hanging
on wooden pegs. Matching terrycloth slippers sat side by
side on the polished hardwood floor. Judith and Renie both
sighed with relief.
“Nice,” Renie remarked. “Thanks, Nadia. We’re sorry to
impose, but that storm out there is really something.”
Nadia’s smile was tense. “It should blow out in a few
hours. That’s what happened last year when we were at
Mountain Goat.”
“You had a storm just like this one?” Judith asked, setting
her purse down on one of the twin beds.
“Oh, yes,” Nadia replied. “It was terrible. We weren’t sure
if we could get out by Monday afternoon. But it finally broke
that morning, and we were able to leave.”
“Who drove?” Renie had uttered the question from the
fireplace where she was putting a match to the pile of wood
and kindling.
“I did,” Nadia replied. “Barry had driven us up here, but
when he…disappeared, it was up to me to get us back to the
city. Fortunately, we were able to chain up at the summit.”
Judith sat down on the bed with its counterpane woven
in a bright Native American design. “Nadia, weren’t you
worried about what had happened to Barry?”
Nadia hung her head and clasped her hands. “Not terribly,”
she replied in a sheepish tone. “You see, Barry was gay. He
was given to…following his special star.” She paused, her
thin face very earnest. “It had happened before. Two summers
ago at the company picnic, Barry was in
charge of the food. About halfway through, he suddenly
disappeared. He’d met someone on the adjacent tennis
courts. Then at the Christmas party a year ago, he went off
with Santa Claus.”
“I see.” Judith took a deep breath. “So you thought—what?
That he’d met someone outside of the lodge or at the summit
or down in the next town—or what?”
“Any of those things.” Nadia now appeared to be on surer
ground. “Even here at the lodge, there are cross-country skiers
who pass through. Not to mention snow-mobilers and hikers.
It may seem isolated, but it really isn’t, not when the
weather is decent.”
“Except that you had a big storm last January,” Judith
pointed out. “That would have cut down on the sports enthusiasts.”
“Y-e-s,” Nadia said slowly. “I suppose it did.” She glanced
around the room, her practiced mind taking inventory. “I
hope this will do. Everything seems to be in order. Now I
should get back downstairs. I must see what’s happening
with Frank and the police chief.”
Judith locked the door behind Nadia and slid the deadbolt. “We ought to be safe in here,” she said, then gritted
