Epilogue
Snow Plaza.
The only dedicated ski resort immediately adjacent to Missoula.
Four full-time lifts. Three black diamond runs. Enough greens and blues to make everybody else happy.
The Zoo Crew knew it was still too early in the season to actually get up on the mountain. None of them had even bothered to bring their equipment with them.
But it was the first day the lodge was open.
And one thing the Zoo Crew never missed was opening day at the lodge.
Be bad luck to even consider it.
In the wintertime, Drake and Kade were the only two to drive. The road up the hill was too steep, too icy, to make without a truck.
Drake led the way. Always did. Up the winding three mile road. Past the handful of homes owned by local ski bums. Over the aging bridge that spanned the ravines separating the peaks.
The road had a fresh dusting of snow on it. Definitely nothing approaching requisite snowpack yet.
A few tracks striped the road. Heavy tires. Wide tread.
Most likely the result of the plow trucks.
To be expected. They were usually one of the first groups to make an appearance on opening day. Certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Drake kept the heat in the truck on high. Neither he nor Ajax was dressed for extended outdoor weather. It was one of the few days a year when a Zoo Crew gathering precipitated nothing but gluttony.
They were going to enjoy it.
The mini-caravan pulled into the open gravel expanse that served as a parking lot at seven sharp. Fell in beside a pair of oversized trucks. A couple of snowmobiles.
Climbed out to be greeted by a gust of cold mountain air.
“Remind me again why we look forward to this every year?” Ajax grumbled.
Drake snorted. “You do realize it’s not even that cold up here yet, right?”
Kade and Sage climbed from their truck. Formed a line four across.
“We have a new record,” Drake announced. “Four seconds and Ajax was already complaining about the cold.”
“Dammit,” Kade said. “I had ten in the betting pool.”
“I was giving him at least fifteen,” Sage added.
“I hate you all,” Ajax said. Shoved his hands further down into his pockets.
The rest of the group exchanged chuckles. Walked up the wide wooden staircase leading into the lodge.
Above them stretched a high A-frame structure three stories in height. Nearly the entire thing done in windows.
Matching arms extended out to either side. Both two stories tall. Windows dominating the entire façade.
As they ascended Drake threw a glance over to the side. The base lift was already working for the day. A team of maintenance men were assembled around it.
The season was getting close.
Kade and Ajax reached the enormous double doors at the top of the staircase first. Pulled them open. Stepped to the side and let Drake and Sage lead the way.
In front of them opened up an expansive great room. Round tables dominated the floor space. Padded benches lined the outsides.
A stone fireplace extended up the rear wall, already blazing with a fire.
Heat engulfed them as they entered.
A bar and kitchen extended off to the right. Private tables facing the mountain to the left.
A handful of employees ran to and fro across the floor.
Even fewer guests were already scattered about.
The Crew stepped in a few paces. Stopped. Smiled.
“The usual?” Sage asked.
Kade snorted. “What a stupid question. Of course the usual.”
“Hey, I was just asking. Thought maybe we’d want to switch it up this year.”
“Absolutely not,” Ajax said. Cut a path through the room. Chose the table in the far back corner. The chair that put his backside just a few feet away from the fireplace.
Drake, Kade and Sage were a little slower in claiming their seats. Meandered from table to table.
Stopped to say hello to Lewis and Cynthia Hill. Retired couple that were as well-known at the lodge as the Zoo Crew.
Hugs and handshakes. Promises to enjoy a run down the mountain together soon.
A quick visit with Barrett Toews, a forty-something that set his watch by the start of ski season.
Even a brief swing by the table of George Hervin resident lodge curmudgeon. Nearing his seventieth birthday, he hadn’t skied in almost twenty years. Still insisted on being there every day it was open.
By the time they reached their table, all three were sweating. Began to peel off clothes. Waved enthusiastically to each new person that filed in behind them.
“That time of year again, isn’t it?” Kade said. Settled into his seat. Threw an arm over his chair back.
“Sure is,” Sage said. Cast a glance around. “Place looks good.”
“Yeah, cause it’s empty,” Drake added.
The others laughed. Gave their breakfast orders to the waitress without even glancing at a menu.
Bacon and eggs for Kade and Ajax.
Denver omelets for Drake and Sage.
“So Alice told me you stopped by to see her yesterday,” Sage said. No voice inflection.
No hint of how Drake had seen her without really meaning to.
“I did,” Drake said. “It’s going to take a while, but I think she’ll be okay.”
“Does that mean everything is wrapped up?” Kade asked.
“Not even close. But the heavy lifting for us is done at least. My guess is they’ll be begging to settle by the end of the week.”
“Got them right where you want them huh?” Ajax asked.
Drake nodded. “Couldn’t have done it without you.” Looked around. “All of you.”
The group nodded. Said nothing.
“Speaking of which,” Drake said. “I’ve been thinking. I still don’t know how sold I am on this whole practicing law thing. If I am going to do it though, I could use a good investigator.”
“That’s true,” Ajax said. “I did ferret out that whole insurance thing in a hurry.”
“That you did,” Drake agreed. “But I was actually thinking more along the lines of a boots-on-the-ground investigator. Someone licensed, that can really do some snooping.”
Drake let it end there. Joined with Sage and Ajax as they gazed across the table.
“What, you mean me?” Kade asked. Surprise on his face. In his voice. “I’ve got a job, remember?”
“True,” Drake said. “But only five months out of the year. This would help you fill the months in between.”
“You’re shitting me, right?”
“I already looked into it,” Drake explained. “Your years of firefighting service count towards your experience requirement. You’d take a short course, pass a test, done.”
“You could even carry a gun,” Sage said.
“Think how far you could run with calling yourself a PI to the ladies around town,” Ajax added.
Kade raised his palms to the table. Shook them twice at them. “Hey, not the both of you too.”
The group laughed.
“I’m just saying, roll it around,” Drake said. “It might end up being a moot point anyway. Just something to keep in mind.”
“Alright,” Kade said. Nodded slowly. Tipped his water glass in Drake’s direction.
“You really thinking about it?” Sage said. “I remember when you got back here two months ago, you hated everything about the law.”
Drake made a non-committal twist of his head. Raised his eyebrows.
“I did hate what I was doing this summer. No denying that. But these past couple cases. Ella, now Alice. Feel like I’m really helping them.”
“Even if you are getting yourself and your partner into tight jams every time,” Kade said.
Drake nodded. Said nothing.
There was nothing to say. Kade was absolutely right.
Drake felt his phone vibr
ate against his hip. He fished it out and dropped it on the table in front of him.
Ava.
“Speak of the devil,” he said. “She’s never up this early.”
Clicked the message open.
We need to talk.
Dead Peasants (Zoo Crew series Book 2) Page 22