Page 40 of K-9 Prime Target

Connor frowned. “Did he have any kind of weapon?”

“No. He didn’t say or do anything. I think he just wanted to let me know he was here.” That he could do something if he wanted.

“Renee, stay with Nina,” Connor said. “From now on, you’re not working alone.”

She wanted to protest that she didn’t need special accommodations, but the truth was, she did. “I don’t want to endanger anyone else,” she said instead.

“He’s the one who needs to be afraid, with the two of us after him,” Renee said. “I have three older brothers. I know how to defend myself.”

Nina didn’t protest that it was tough to defend yourself against someone with a razor-sharp knife. It was enough that Renee would work with her today. She still believed Nicholson was a coward. He would wait until she was alone before he tried again.

Chapter Eleven

Liam had arranged to meet Nina at the end of her shift to have dinner. He was going to suggest checking out a bar with live music and dancing. If anyone deserved to cut loose a little, it was her.

But he wasn’t prepared for how agitated she appeared when she rushed up to him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, taking in her flushed cheeks and distressed expression.

“The black-helmeted man came right up to me this morning at the terrain park,” she said. “It was early and there weren’t many people around. He blocked my way and refused to move.”

He touched her shoulder, as much to reassure himself as to offer her comfort. “Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“He didn’t touch me. And he didn’t say anything. He just stared.” She shuddered. “I’m sure it was Nicholson. He had an air of such…malice.”

“What did you do?” Liam asked.

“I called for help on my radio. Renee and Connor said they’d be right over. But the man left before they arrived.” She shook her head. “I should have done something to keep him there. Instead, I just let him go.”

“He could have been armed,” Liam said. “There was nothing you could do.”

“Connor radioed for the lift techs and patrollers to be on the lookout for the guy, but it’s like he disappeared.”

“Do you think it could have been Derek?” he asked.

If the question surprised her, she gave no indication. “I don’t think so. I would have recognized him.”

“Would you? In a different context like that?”

“I’m sure it was Nicholson.”

“Then at least we know he’s still here,” Liam said. “We’ll talk to Doug tomorrow about doing a bigger search for him.”

“I’m not waiting until tomorrow,” she said. “I’m going to start searching for him tonight.”

Liam’s first instinct was to protest. But he waited to hear her out. “What are you going to do?”

“Raz has a friend who works in the resort offices. She offered to search the database of pass holders and condo and hotel rentals for Nicholson’s name.”

“Why didn’t we think of that before? Why didn’t Doug or Marlena think of it?”

“It may not work. There’s no guarantee he’s using his real name.”

“Fake IDs are expensive, and he just got out of prison,” Liam said. “And there’s no law against him coming here, as long as he stays away from you. Which he hasn’t.”

“I have to go back to my place, change and drop off Sky,” she said. “I promised I’d meet Raz at six.”

“I’d like to come, too,” he said.

“I was counting on it. You can come to the house with me, and Angel can keep Sky company while we’re gone.”