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possible. I spotted Peter sitting at a secluded corner table off to the side and waved, walked over and sat down, carefully .
    He laughed. “Sore?”
    “Was it that obvious?” I said, pulling out my Advil.
    “Here is some water for you and a bowl of snacks.”
    After gobbling up a handful and washing down the pills, I sat back and sighed. “So, why did you want to see me?”
    Having already ordered his drink, Peter took a quick sip.
    “First, I wanted to caution you about getting too friendly with Olaf. He’s a lady-killer: loves them and leaves them.”
    “Don’t worry. I already have one of my own.”
    He gave a slight grin. “I assume you mean Clay.”
    “ The one and only.”
    He chuckled. “Did Clay tell you when he was arriving?”
    I smirked. “As if you didn’t know.”
    “Clay did mention your wit…and your past.”
    He knew. “One helps me deal with the other.”
    “It must have been a shock how your husband died.”
    “Yes, it was a complex puzzle that I finally solved.”
    “I wanted to be up front in my knowing about your dead husband, Stephen.”
    “I appreciate that. Then you should understand why I have an extremely suspicious nature and still have trust issues, which also includes the always elusive Clay.”
    Peter laughed. “Smart. You will be safer that way.”
    I grabbed a cracker. “What’s this meet-up really about?”
    “I spoke to Olaf. Tell me what happened on the slope.”
    I explained about the anonymous hit after I lost him on the trail and the elderly gentleman, Hans, behind the chalet.
    “What did he look like?” he asked.
    I gave Peter precise details: exactly as I remembered.
    “Good observations,” said Peter. “Anything else?”
    “I didn’t like how he appeared out of nowhere. Peter, what’s going on? You’re working with Clay, aren’t you?”
    “…Yes. Clay needs you to mix, mingle and observe.”
    “I didn’t think I was here for the ski lessons.”
    “Keep your eyes open. Clay trusts your instincts.”
    “My instincts are telling me there’s more, much more.”
    He hesitated. “…I’m sure Clay wouldn’t mind me at least confiding we’re here as bodyguards to Herr Kraus.”

 
     
     
    Chapter 21
    Whatever For?
     
     
    “About time someone told me.” Why hadn’t Clay?
    “Herr Kraus hired Clay then he hired me. Clay figured with you and the ladies here, you would be able to mingle with guests to note any suspicious activity or conversations without drawing too much attention to yourselves.”
    I grabbed a pretzel. “Well it might be a little too late.”
    “Why is that?”
    I explained about my Spanx .
    “Could be something, could be random.”
    “…But in this hotel? Why me? Why protect Kraus?”
    “Why you? I don’t know. The other? I can’t tell you.”
    I didn’t buy any of it.
    “And Clay telling me to take ski lessons until he arrived? That sounded a little suspicious the way he dismissed the whole Spanx incident.”
    He hesitated. “…So I could protect you during the day.”
    “Eventually that’s what I figured was going on.”
    “Still, it sounds unlikely that someone would target you so soon after you arrived. Your room is in your own name.”
    “I think I’ve been linked to Clay,” I said. “But it doesn’t explain who would know Clay was involved with anything related to the owner of this exclusive hotel. Could someone have overheard Herr Kraus talking on the phone to Clay?”
    “It’s possible.”
    “Then I arrive and am given a not-so-subtle message.”
    Peter carefully checked out the other bar patrons then said, “If Kraus was somehow overheard at some point…”
    “I could also be way off-base on this,” I countered.
    “Until we’re sure, take in what you see and hear.”
    I was about to ask Peter about him being seen with Nick, but caution stepped in and I said nothing. I’d mention it to Clay when I caught up with him. Until then, I’d run today’s incidents by my crew for their take.
    I