Snow Place to Die : A Bed-and-breakfast Mystery

turned down a couple of other offers this past year.”

“I suppose we can’t rule out Max, if only because he has

a hot temper and a lot of resentment,” said Judith.

“He’s strong, too,” Renie noted.

“Which Nadia isn’t. Could we skip her?” Judith’s tone was

hopeful.

“She’s thin, but wiry. Like me, before I got fat. I’d never

trust me. I can be vicious when aroused.” Renie finished

clearing off the counter. “Nadia’s another one who’s very

loyal to Frank. I could see her committing a crime not for

herself, but for him.”

Judith stared at Renie. “Is she in love with Frank?”

“I don’t know. Naturally, there have been rumors. A man

and a woman don’t work that closely together without having

people talk about them.”

“There’s Gene,” Judith said disconsolately. “Too prudent,

too cautious, right?”

“Precisely the kind that can snap,” Renie said. “Pressure—you don’t understand what it can do at the executive

level.”

“So we’re left with Frank Killegrew.” Judith picked up a

dish towel, gave it a frustrated yank, and tossed it onto the

counter. “He founded OTIOSE. Why would he ruin it by

killing off his employees?”

“Good question. To be honest, I can’t think of an answer.

He is OTIOSE. The perfect solution is that someone is out

to get him, indirectly. If there was an outsider in this bunch,

everything would make sense. But that’s not the case, and

we’re up a stump.” Renie heaved a big sigh just as Max and

Ward entered the kitchen.

144 / Mary Daheim

“We’re looking for shovels,” Max announced. “Crazy as it

sounds, we’re going to try to tunnel our way out.”

“The snow stopped,” Ward said on a note of optimism.

“We may get a thaw.” The two men headed for the basement.

Judith and Renie exchanged curious glances. “Tunnel?”

said Judith.

“Thaw?” said Renie. “Don’t count on it.”

“They can’t tunnel for a mile,” said Judith. “That’s crazy.”

“They’re desperate,” Renie responded.

Judith gave a slight shake of her head. “Aren’t we all?”

ELEVEN

MAX AND WARD had decided to go out through the front

entrance because it faced west and the snow might not be

as deep. Judith and Renie joined the others in the lobby as

Gene and Russell attempted to open the big double doors.

“One at a time!” Killegrew shouted. “We don’t want an

avalanche in here!”

The knotty pine door on the left slowly swung inward. As

feared, the snow came with it, spilling onto the flagstones