Murder, She Slopes

by Rachael Stapleton

  “And don’t scream, either. They’d never get here in time.” His eyes were glued to my face as he limped closer to me.

  I returned his look, all the time scanning the path for a weapon. I could fight him if he got close. But how strong was he? His upper body was powerful but so was mine.

  “Who are you?”

  “I told you, I’m a gaucho.”

  That first day on the porch, Mateo had even told me that he had spent time in Argentina. Now I realized that was the reason that all the victims had twisted legs, from the boleadora.

  “Remember, Gauchos use boleadoras to capture cattle and game,” Mateo mused. “I couldn’t exactly take just anyone down with my bum leg so I had to get creative. The bimbo, for example, was a challenge. But I handled her.”

  He smiled as he explained. “See, it’s all in the wrist.” He gave a mock throw with his spare bola, then laughed. A trickle of sweat ran into my eyes.

  “What about Noel?” I asked.

  He smiled broadly. “I thought he would be a challenge. So I waited till he was on that monstrosity. Then I took aim, and he crashed himself clean into a tree. Thought they might think it was an accident.”

  I shivered and sweated some more. Couldn’t someone hear us out here? But I didn’t dare look up at the porch to see.

  I raised my voice slightly to ask the next question, hoping that Cody or one of Eve’s spies would hear me. “How d'you get Amélie?”

  “Easy enough,” he answered ruefully. He shook his head. “She was always staring out over that mountain. I just waited until she was alone. The bola wrapped around her legs and threw her off balance—I wasn’t expecting it to be that easy but she just fell forward. I didn’t realize there was a ledge there.”

  I remembered Amélie’s twisted legs. Mateo was peering into my face now.

  “It’s unfortunate that you found her but she’ll never identify me.”

  I nodded my head slowly, carefully.

  “She’s still alive though, isn’t she?”

  “Yes,” I answered. Then I spoke with more bravado than I felt. “And she will remember you once the shock wears off.”

  “Not likely,” answered Mateo. He cocked his head as if considering the possibility. “First of all, I got her from behind. And her glasses flew right off.”

  Mateo eyed me seriously. “The bola would have been a problem but that foolish woman must have knocked it loose when she was wriggling around. It must have fallen clean off that ledge. So, basically, you’re the only one I have to worry about,” he said. His voice had a hint of regret. He jiggled the rope lightly. I thought up another question fast.

  “Why?” I asked. I wasn’t just playing for time. Afraid as I was, I was still curious. “Why did you kill them? What is the connection?”

  He looked down. Then he brought his eyes back to my face. “Ah, the million-dollar question,” His eyes were out of focus now. “I heard you going over all of your theories in the woods. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell you about my family. No wonder you quit the force. You’re slow for a detective.”

  I felt my eyes bulge, but I swallowed back my anger, instead balling my hands into little fists at my sides. I’d use them when the chance presented itself.

  “Two years ago, we were headed to the mountains on vacation,” Mateo started.

  I knew this story. Cody had mentioned it, but I stayed quiet. Biding my time until someone came along to distract him.

  “My son had become an emotional basket case—some silly little hotshot actress was toying with his heart and his wallet. She spent all his money and then broke up with him while we were en route. When we got to the lodge, he took off up the mountain and I went after him. Next thing I know we were being taken down by an avalanche.” He focused his eyes on mine momentarily. Then he looked through me and went back to his story.

  His voice was hard as he spoke. “The doctors kept us both doped to the gills at first. Eventually, I figured out my legs were paralyzed.” His bark of harsh laughter rang out like a shot in the silent air.

  “My son never forgave himself for what happened to me but he got a little better when the actress came back around. She said she felt bad for what had happened but I knew the truth. She wanted more money. Of course, she left him once she realized I wasn’t going to die, and there wouldn’t be any inheritance.” He paused and swallowed. His eyes were shining, either with rage or insanity, or both. “He couldn’t bear to live after that.” Then a trace of a smile twisted his lips. “But I found a reason to survive. A reason to go through the torture they call ‘physical therapy.’ A reason to learn to walk with a cane.”

  He bent forward, peering into my eyes. “Do you want to know what I found to live for?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “Revenge,” he whispered. His smile broadened. I shivered; the pain was intensifying in my legs. I reached down to rub at them.

  Mateo snarled. “Don’t move.”

  I took a big breath. “Was Holly the actress that hurt your son?” I asked.

  He smiled. “I thought you’d figure it out for sure,” he teased. “You were on the right track for a while.”

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  “No, it was her roommate.” He stomped his foot. “Holly was the one who introduced them and then she was the one who encouraged the girl to break up with him.”

  “And you killed Holly for that?” I asked in disbelief. I shouldn’t have spoken.

  “Isn’t that enough?” Mateo snarled. He looked into my eyes angrily as if it had been my fault.

  “When I first got moving, the first thing I did was kill that two-bit hussy actress. But before I beat her head in, she told me all about her little boy-toy games. She could have been lying to save her own skin—not that it would have.” He laughed. “Anyway, she blamed her roommate, Holly—said it was her idea. They had a little scam going to pay for their outlandish lifestyle. They started out blackmailing married men, but they found most of the wives knew what was going on and didn’t care so instead they decided to target their sons—the trust fund babies. They researched the boys ahead of time and pretended to have all the same interests and then they’d bleed them dry and move on.”

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured. I really was. I wasn’t sure if Mateo heard me though. He jerked his eyes away from mine and stared out into the darkness over my head.

  I listened to the sound of my own heartbeat in the silence. Then I thought I heard another sound. Something in the trees. My eyes wanted to look, but I knew that would be a mistake. I strained my ears, but the sound wasn’t repeated. Had Mateo heard it? He was still staring past me.

  “I don’t know why she went after my son. We were well off, but we weren’t ridiculously rich like the others.”

  “Did you come here specifically to kill Holly?” I asked. If there was anyone moving out there, I wanted to cover the sound.

  Mateo turned his eyes back to me slowly. “Did I come here to slay Holly?” He chuckled to himself. “Well, it would be an awfully big coincidence if I hadn’t,” he replied.

  “Mind you, it was a coincidence that they came to a place where I was recognized. That was sort of inconvenient. I never in a million years thought Noel would recognize me.”

  “I knew it.” I blurted. “You said you didn’t know Noel, but you worked together on a ranch out west, didn’t you?”

  “Well, imagine that, Miss Trubble. A killer who will lie.”

  I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t wait to shut this guy up.

  “But no, you’re wrong. Noel worked at the hospital where my son was kept. He and I use to run into each other in the halls or in the visitors area and we’d occasionally chat about hunting and roping cattle. I didn’t think he even remembered me until the other day.” He laughed harshly again. “Then he looked at me in the dining hall and I knew he’d suddenly remembered my son and how I’d once told him what happened.”

  I flexed the muscles in my legs, trying to loosen the contrapti
on.

  He looked up at me, eyes focused now. “He confronted me later and made the connection between Holly and her roommate so I had no choice—couldn’t have him blabbing to that detective, now.” He smiled sadly. “It was a shame. I really liked him.”

  Then he dropped his eyes to the ground and scowled. “I should have gone after that Eleanor, though. It was probably her fault that Holly turned out the way she did. Goddamn actresses and their games!” He spit the last words out.

  I heard another rustle. This time I was sure of it. I just hoped it was human. Mateo lifted his head and glanced at the trees.

  “Why Amélie?” I asked quickly.

  “Why Amélie?” he snapped, jerking his head back. “You heard her. Always spouting off about the mentally ill! Like she knows what it’s like. How many patients did she treat that probably went on to commit suicide after—just like my son? I hate actresses and I hate doctors even more—all they do is lock people up and drug them. Talk them into boredom and submission.”

  Mateo let go of his bola and dropped it to the ground. I scuffled my bum back a few inches, hoping Mateo wouldn’t notice.

  “I ought to get an award for ridding the world of the scum,” he muttered, unseeing. “Call me the Crippled Avenger!” He took a breath.

  I heard something scuff the gravel on my right. But Mateo didn’t seem to hear it. He was too wrapped up in his own words. I kept my eyes on him. He smiled again.

  “I covered myself well. Burned my clothes and erased my tracks with a branch. But you,” he whispered. “You just wouldn’t leave well enough alone. Why did you and your friends have to get involved?”

  Good question, I thought. A drop of sweat trickled into my eye. I didn’t reach up to wipe it. I blinked. And heard the crunch of gravel on my left. Mateo kept his eyes on me. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t heard the sounds.

  “Listen,” I said loudly. “I get it. I know you’re really a good guy. That’s why you didn’t want the boy, Felix taking the wrap for you. That’s why you steered me away from him. He reminds you of your son, doesn’t he?”

  “Don’t try to manipulate me!” he shouted at me. “Don’t talk about my son!”

  I breathed deeply and collected myself. I put a little weight on my leg to see if I would be able to stand, pain shot through me.

  “I said—” he began.

  “Hold it right there, slime ball,” Eve’s gruff voice warned at my left.

  “We’ve got you covered,” another voice chirped at my right.

  Gloria and Eve flanked us—the ballsy old broads. I glanced quickly back and forth. Where was Denise? Had she used her long legs to run for the cops? She was the largest of the three women, it would have made more sense to have her here. Eve had something clenched in her upraised fist, but it didn’t look like a gun. I looked back at Mateo. He had turned his head away from me to stare at Eve. I inched my hands toward my legs.

  Mateo turned to Gloria next. After one look at her frail form, he leaned his head back and roared with laughter.

  His mouth was still open when Eve drew back her arm and heaved the contents of her fist at him. Her aim was good. Ice and gravel bounced off his hat and face, some of it even making it into his mouth. Startled, Mateo spit and pulled up his arm to shield his eyes.

  Gloria screamed as she fired a handful of icicles, and Eve used the distraction to scurry forward.

  She bent and lifted me up, taking the brunt of my body weight in an attempt to get me standing. He was two feet away from us now. I looked into his eyes and saw murder there.

  Gloria was scooping up another handful when Mateo lunged toward us.

  Twenty-Five

  _____________

  T hankfully Cody had also been there. He’d been moving into position while the women distracted Mateo, and Denise went for help. But all that was history. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. It was Saturday afternoon, and I still felt pretty shaky. Cody and I had slept through the remaining morning hours huddled in each other’s arms. Now we were back in the dining hall, enjoying one last mug of Marie-Angelique’s delicious walking in a winter wonderlatte while waiting on Eve to roll out of bed. Christmas Eve was tomorrow, and we needed to get back home to Bohemian Lake to have dinner and exchange presents with Dad and Guinness.

  The main doors to the dining hall flew open and in trotted Eve and Felix, covered head to toe in winter gear. Eve was smiling, snow dusted her hair and gloves, and when she turned around, I noticed even her bum was damp with melting snow. Not to mention her face was flushed cherry red.

  “And just what have you two been up to?” I asked.

  “Oh, Penelope,” she bubbled. “That was so much fun. You have to come with us next time.”

  “Were you—” I turned to Felix, “Did you… take her snowboarding?”

  Felix dropped his gaze. “Umm… no?”

  “Did you just answer me with a question?”

  “Oh, leave the poor boy alone. I dragged him out. Besides, it was your idea. Remember?”

  Cody started howling with laughter.

  I was mildly annoyed now. This woman needed a full-time babysitter. “You could have broken a hip. You don’t just start a sport like this on a whim at your age.”

  “Pfft. At my age—must you be such a fuddy-duddy? Honestly, Cody, I don’t know what you see in her. She’s such a wet blanket, sometimes.”

  I was about to defend myself when Marie-Angelique trotted to our table, wiping her hands on her apron as she came. She was smiling, flour dusted her hair and her soft face was shadowed with fatigue.

  “Oh, good,” she bubbled. “You’re back. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all. Especially you, Penny, you are such a great investigator. I’m so impressed that you found our murderer.”

  “Well… ugh… I didn’t exactly find the murderer,” I said, feeling my face flush again. “He found me. Cody took him down. I just sat there like a lump.”

  “Ahem.” Eve paused from stripping out of her wet snowsuit to clear her throat.

  I glanced up. “You catch a cold there, Evel Knievel?” If looks could kill. I smirked. “And of course, Eve was intricate in the take-down. Without those rocks, I don’t know where I’d be today.”

  “Well, anyway,” Marie-Angelique chattered on happily. “We’re so grateful and we have a little surprise for all of you. Just give me a second.” She rushed back in the direction of the kitchen. I moved closer to Cody, touching my arm to his, assuring myself he was still there.

  Marie-Angelique had no sooner disappeared than Lucas and Eleanor Frost walked in the main doors. She strode across the hall and gave us each a hug. “Amélie sends her love and gratitude.”

  “How is she?” Eve asked.

  “She’s sore, but she’s recovering,” she continued, her eyes softening into those of a moonstruck teenager. “I’m going to stay here until she gets out of the hospital.” She sighed.

  “Hey, so what’s the deal with you two? Are you a couple?” Eve asked, stealing the candy cane out of my latte.

  Eleanor blushed. “I hope so. We had a bit of a fling while Amélie was still married many, many years ago. Her husband found out about it. Well, he didn’t just find out about it. My darling niece attempted to negotiate with me for a starring role in the upcoming production. I refused, and she contacted Amélie’s husband. Naturally, the Belles stopped frequenting the theatre.”

  “You lost touch?” Eve asked.

  “Yes, it was a sad time in my life. I truly loved Amélie.”

  “Was that when Amélie killed her husband?” I prodded. Cody nudged my side. Oops.

  Eleanor looked surprised by the question but she quickly hid the shock. “I had nothing to do with that. Amélie was seeing someone else at the time. It was never proven who killed him, you know.”

  I smiled and took a sip of my latte. Uh-huh.

  “What about you, Lucas?” Eleanor asked. Most likely to stop the interrogation. “What will you do now that Holly is gone
?”

  Lucas turned his puppy-dog eyes on me. “I’ve decided to move home to Bohemian Lake. I put in a call to the realtor this morning.”

  I felt Cody stiffen at my side.

  “What?” I blurted. “I’m sorry. I mean what—?

  Eve giggled. “I think what our tongue-tied friend here means is what about this resort?”

  “Yes, I’m planning to invest here in Sleighs & Slopes but they don’t need me here in the way during the final phase of renovations. There is some unfinished business back home that—”

  The sound of the kitchen doors swinging open once more came as a welcome interruption. Marie-Angelique approached our table, holding a glass cake stand out in front of her. It was stacked full of red and mint green French macaroons. Justin was right behind her carrying a small golden parcel with a big red bow.

  “For our own personal detective squad. Thank you for saving Christmas and for saving our resort,” Marie-Angelique announced formally. I stood up to thank her, but she wasn’t finished yet. “The pastries are chocolate and peppermint. Dig in. And there’s one other thing.” Justin handed the small present to Felix as Marie-Angelique set down the glass case. And then nudged the boy.

  “It’s a certificate for a free two week vacation here at Sleighs & Slopes Adventure Resort,” Felix recited, his eyes on the paper. “Any time you want to use it.” He lifted his eyes to mine and smiled uncertainly.

  Two weeks to be Slayed on the Slopes. Damn. Someone stepped on Jolly Ginger’s tail and she yowled. My sentiments exactly. But I stretched my face into what I hoped was an appreciative smile.

  “I—” I began.

  “Hey, what’s all the fuss? You havin’ an after the murder party without us?” I heard from the dining hall doors. Denise, followed by Gloria, walked through the doorway, smiling. “We just wanted to say goodbye and grab Eve,” Denise said.

  “We don’t want to intrude, though,” chirped Gloria from behind her.

  “Intrude?” I stated loudly, striding toward them. “Never. Eve’s spy network is always welcome around me.”