Page 25 of K-9 Prime Target

The sheriff glanced down the silent street. “We’ll talk to your neighbors, see if any of them saw anything we can follow up on.”

“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

“If you see Nicholson around, you let us know and we’ll bring him in for questioning.” The sheriff straightened. “Unless someone saw the person who did this, we don’t have any evidence that he’s behind these pranks.” He signaled to his deputy, who headed for his cruiser. The sheriff touched the brim of his hat. “You have a nice night.”

“What about my garage door?” she asked.

“You’ll need to hire somebody to clean that off.” He turned and walked away.

Nina stared after him. “He really doesn’t believe me,” she said.

“Let’s go inside,” Liam said. “It’s freezing out here.”

She raised the window, then hesitated only a moment before hitting the button to lift the garage door. She parked the car, then they got out. The dogs followed them into the house. She dropped her pack and shed her parka, letting the warmth of the room surround her. Sky got a long drink of water, then curled up at the end of the sofa. Angel settled next to her.

Nina hugged her arms across her chest and began to pace. “We can’t count on law enforcement to help us,” she said. “Not unless something drastic happens to make them pay attention.”

“We don’t want the situation to get that far,” Liam said. “We have to stop Nicholson before he hurts you, or anyone else.” He sat next to the dogs.

“We can’t depend on Doug or Marlena or resort security, either,” she said.

“But you think your ski patrol friends will help?”

“I know they will.” She stopped pacing. “We’re like family. If one of us needs something, the others will do everything they can.”

“Good,” Liam said. “Then we just have to come up with a plan.”

She started to sit in the chair across from him, then changed her mind and shoved Sky over so that she could sit next to him. He was a warm, comforting presence, and she fought the urge to lean against him. “How do you deal with someone who hides in the crowds and strikes when you’re away from home, or in the middle of the night?” she asked.

“I think it would help if you told me what happened last time,” he said. “If you’re able to do that. You said he left notes before. What else happened? Maybe we can anticipate his next move and set a trap.”

She hadn’t talked to many people about that horrible time—law enforcement and lawyers initially, and later, a therapist. But her friends and family didn’t know the details. It wasn’t something she cared to relive. But Liam was right. If he was going to help her protect herself, she needed to trust him.

Chapter Seven

That day four years ago had started out great. One of Nina’s best. Training in the morning, a massage in the afternoon, a press conference with the rest of the team. Tomorrow was an easy day—a light workout, a strategy session with her coach, a few leisurely runs at the resort, then rehearsal for the charity exhibition the next day.

That night, she went out with friends—fellow skiers, a couple of coaches and technicians, and romantic partners. It was a glitzy place, where people dressed to the nines and gathered in the glow of soft light and gleaming glass and steel. Photographers had been there, as they always were in those days. They had taken pictures of her on the dance floor, in a short, sparkly dress, a drink in one hand, head thrown back, a huge smile on her lips. She remembered the sensation of moving to throbbing music, surrounded by people she loved, bathed in the adoration of the public. She was beautiful, talented, famous.

And she was in love. Liam was there that night. Off to one side, talking with friends, sipping his own drink and smiling at her. She had been buzzing from the alcohol but also from sheer happiness. All those lonely years, away from her family, training hard, enduring the pain of injury and traveling constantly, had brought her to this. It had all been worth it.

Later—early morning, really—she and Liam parted outside the club. He had to leave in a few hours to catch a flight to somewhere exotic—Cairo? Or some city in Argentina? Some magazine assignment that would take him away for a few weeks. He held her tightly, their bodies pressed together, mouths locked in a passionate kiss that had left her breathless and giddy.

“I’ll call when I get to my hotel,” he said.

She walked back to her hotel room alone, humming one of the songs she had danced to at the club. She would pay for the night’s revelry tomorrow. Her trainer would scold. But even tired and slightly hungover, her body always responded once she was on her skis, out on the snow. She would surrender to that flying, reckless sensation of launching herself down the mountain, confident in her ability to remain in control. To succeed. To win.

She slipped her key card into the lock and pushed open the door, then arms came around her, hugging her close. She thought at first it might be Liam. Maybe he had changed his mind about spending the night with her.

But no—this wasn’t Liam. This man was shorter, and he smelled of stale sweat and an overly-perfumed aftershave. He held her much too tightly, crushing her. She dropped the key card and struggled against him.

“Don’t fight me, darling,” he said, his breath hot in her ear. “I’d hate to have to cut you.”

That single word—darling—sent ice through her. “Who—”

A stab of pain in her side surprised a cry from her. “Quiet!” he barked, then he shoved her into the room and kicked the door shut behind them. He kept one arm around her as he locked the door. Then he flicked on the light.

She recognized him right away—her ardent fan. The one who had started showing up at all her races and events. The man who had previously cornered her in the hallway. He released her but flashed a wicked looking blade. “Don’t try anything,” he said. “I could kill you in a second.”