Page 48 of K-9 Prime Target

“They’re good,” he said. “We’ve doubled the number of training courses we’re able to offer this year, and we signed up a lot of new volunteers.”

“That’s terrific.”

The blast of horns announced the beginning of the parade. A trio of preteen girls squeezed in front of Nina, and other people crowded closer. She looked up the slope and saw the first of the colorfully clad skiers almost dancing down. The performers wove intricate patterns on the snow, weaving back and forth, in and out and around.

The crowd cheered and threw confetti. As the first wave of performers passed, they were followed by a dozen jesters and clowns who tossed candy to the crowd, to the delight of all.

Then came the brass band, with an enthusiastic—and very loud—rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Nina grinned and wished she had thought to have Liam meet her so they could watch the parade together. He was somewhere in this crowd, she was sure, but she had no way of finding him. She could scarcely move, hemmed in by a crush of people on all sides.

Someone bumped into her, pushing her forward, but she caught herself and looked around. Her heart raced as she recognized a dark-clad figure moving away from her. He shoved people aside, sending one woman falling. Then he disappeared into the crowd. “Stop him!” Nina shouted, but few people heard her over the blare of the band and the cheering from the spectators.

“Nina!” Scott grabbed her shoulder. “You’re bleeding.”

She looked down at the blood running down her side. Pain lanced through her, sharp and frightening in its intensity. She stared up into Scott’s concerned face, then swayed and felt herself sinking.

Chapter Thirteen

Liam searched for Nina in the crowd, but with so many people packed along the parade route, it was impossible to find her. He gave up and turned to watch the parade from his position near the bottom of the lift. SkyCrest had gone all out for this entertainment. The costumed skiers were beautifully choreographed, and the band managed to somehow march on skis.

Then he became aware of a commotion across the way, farther up the slopes. The crowd was spilling onto the parade route, forcing the participants to veer around them. Ski patrol, dressed in red jackets, urged people back, even as they worked their way up the slope toward the disturbance. Then the wail of an ambulance sounded above the cacophony of horns and voices.

“What’s going on?” Liam asked, but he was answered only by shaking heads and puzzled looks.

He fought his way uphill, until he reached Raz. “What’s going on?” he asked.

“Nothing you need to worry about, sir,” Raz said, not really looking at him. “Just move back and give us some room to work.”

“Raz, it’s me, Liam,” he said. “Just tell me if Nina is all right.”

Raz turned toward him, her eyes wide. “Oh, Liam,” she said. “Nina’s been stabbed.”

“Stabbed?” He repeated the word, as if he could make it mean something different. He looked up the slope. “Where is she?”

“Up there somewhere. Lily and some of the others are with her. And the ambulance should be here soon.”

He didn’t wait to hear more, but vaulted up the hill, trying to run in the snow while avoiding the still-descending parade participants. People shouted at him to get out of the way, but he ignored them.

He pushed into the cluster of red jackets gathered around someone on the ground and found Nina, face pale as the snow she lay on. Lily and a blond man Liam didn’t recognize were pressing their jackets against Nina’s side, but the snow around her was stained crimson.

“What happened?” Liam demanded.

“Who are you?” the blond man countered.

“This is Liam. Nina’s…friend,” Lily said. “Someone cut Nina,” she told him. “With a knife or maybe a razor.”

“Her clothes were slashed,” the blond said. “I don’t know how deep the wound is. We’re just trying to stop the bleeding and let the paramedics take care of her when they get here.”

Liam moved around them until he could kneel beside Nina’s head. He cradled her face in his hands. “Nina, can you hear me?”

Her eyes fluttered and she looked up at him, her gaze clouded. “What happened?” she whispered.

“Someone cut you. But you’re going to be all right.”

“A man. In black clothes. He shoved me and then…” Her voice trailed away.

“It’s okay,” Liam said. “Save your strength.” The man had to be Aaron Nicholson. Rage surged through him, battling with fear.

“Paramedics. Let us through.”