Gold Fire

by Starr Ambrose

  Behind that panicked realization, questions began forming. He needed to think.

  Russ grabbed his arm. “There must have been a dozen of ’em,” he whispered hoarsely. As if it was a secret. “Maybe more.” He turned a stunned expression on the inspector, who was busy writing. “The Rusty Wire doesn’t have mice. Ever.”

  The guy looked up. “Those weren’t elephants.”

  Russ glared at the man so hard Jase stepped between them. Arguing was useless. His mind sorted through possibilities, automatically narrowing it down. Defining the problem to find the solution. Competitive mode.

  The inspector didn’t matter, that ship had sailed. “We know they weren’t in here before today,” he told Russ.

  “No shit! They were never in here before.” He craned his neck to stare around Jase. “Never,” he repeated. “Someone put them there to make us look bad.”

  “It worked,” the inspector commented without looking up.

  “You can’t blame us!” He waved his arms in frustration, the most he could do since Jase had a hand on his chest, holding him back. “I run a clean place, damn it! I’m telling you, those mice weren’t here yesterday.”

  The man stopped writing. “Look, I don’t care if they’ve been living there for six months, or if Scotty beamed ’em in from Mars this morning. It doesn’t matter. Either way, you got rodents in your food.”

  Russ looked like he was set to explode, and the reporter looked poised to record the event. “Forget it,” he ordered Russ, giving him a firm nudge backward.

  Russ turned his anger on Jase. “What’s the matter with you? Are you gonna just stand there and let him write us up for that?”

  “There’s nothing we can do about it now.” He was a little surprised himself by how quickly his anger had turned into clear priorities. Discover how and who, then who put them up to it. Keep the goal in mind and don’t get distracted. Compete. Win.

  “Russ, listen. You’re right, someone did this. I want to know who. If we figure out how, it’ll narrow the possibilities. How did someone get back here? Who had access?”

  Russ frowned. “Employees.” He glanced at the three guys working in the kitchen who were now watching, openmouthed.

  “Waitstaff, too,” Jase said. “And you, me, and Jennifer.” They couldn’t leave anyone out.

  “Hell, Jase, anyone could have slipped back here. Even a customer. You know how it is once it gets busy. There must be at least twenty customers out there, and more who already came and went.”

  “Not anymore.” The inspector walked over and slapped a piece of paper in Jase’s hands. “You’re closed.”

  Chapter

  Sixteen

  The Alpine Sky’s annual Beer and Bratwurst Festival was an awkward place for a breakup. Or maybe it was a brush-off. She and Matt hadn’t officially been a couple.

  They hadn’t officially been anything. That should have made it easier. But Zoe still felt jumpy standing next to Matt on the fringes of the crowd in the Alpine Village plaza. Surrounded by charming souvenir shops and clothing boutiques, the plaza was a picturesque setting for small outdoor events like ice carving in the winter and street concerts in the summer. Tonight it was a rollicking festival of oompah bands, lederhosen-clad dancers, and a hundred or so beer-drinking, brat-eating guests.

  Streetlamps and decorative strings of lights held back the night, so Zoe had to blame the noise for not spotting Matt until he suddenly appeared at her elbow. Too late to avoid him.

  “Bratwurst?” He held out a bun topped with sauerkraut, a fat sausage poking out at each end.

  “No thanks.” She smiled, as if her stomach hadn’t developed a sudden case of nervous flips. Telling your boss you were no longer romantically interested in him was a delicate situation, especially when he was so obviously in a lighthearted mood.

  “How about a beer?”

  She shook her head.

  He didn’t seem interested in either one himself, setting the brat down on a sidewalk table. He stood beside her, watching the dancers lock arms and whirl in circles. “If I asked you for a date, would that also be a no?”

  She looked at him, relieved he was so perceptive. “Yes. I’m sorry, Matt.”

  She expected a cross look, or at least a disappointed sigh. He nodded. “Okay.”

  For someone who’d tried to get her into bed on their last date, it was surprisingly offhand. She drew her brows together. “You’re not mad?”

  He flashed his combination magnetic smile and piercing gaze. “Why would I be mad? All’s fair in love, right? You’re entitled to your choice. I assume you’ve made it.”

  “Uh, thanks for understanding.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’ve been afraid to say anything after you were so nice to me.”

  “Nice?”

  “You know, the flowers, that lovely dinner, and . . .” She hesitated, then decided to say it because he deserved credit for being a decent guy. “And the things you said about not caring about my past. It meant something. It meant a lot.”

  He chuckled dismissively. “Whatever.”

  “Really, Matt. Don’t blow it off. Not everyone is so forgiving.”

  He gave her a puzzled look. “Zoe, any guy would be happy to be seen with you. Face it, you’re a hot chick. It doesn’t hurt my reputation if people think I sleep with a sexually uninhibited woman.”

  Zoe blinked, momentarily stunned. He grabbed a beer from a passing waitress and gave her a wink. “Charge it to the resort, honey.” The woman bit back a comment, then headed back to replace the beer he’d taken as he kept talking. “It’s not going to hurt the next guy you go out with, or the one after that. I’d think you’d know that by now. Men aren’t embarrassed by your history. That was your choice, and personally, I’m glad you made it. Or I was, until you decided to turn into a tease. Fortunately, I know a woman in Juniper who’s available on short notice.” He blew some foam off the beer and took a sip. “If you ever change your mind, let me know. This beer isn’t bad, you should try it.”

  He made it his parting line. She stood staring at his back as he disappeared into the crowded sidewalk. Heat flooded her cheeks, a combination of humiliation and anger. “Bastard!” she muttered. “Goddamn son of a bitch bastard!”

  She spun on her heel and marched back to the hotel. The five-minute walk was a good thing since she needed that and more to cool off. Needed time to wonder, too, if she’d responded to a subliminal suspicion when she’d rejected Matt, or just been incredibly lucky, in time to make up for being incredibly stupid for going out with him in the first place.

  Now she had to find a way to keep working with Matt without spitting in his face. But just until she found the evidence that tied David and Ruth Ann to the incidents at the Rusty Wire. After that, a new job would be in order. She made a mental note to talk to Tammy at the Greystone Lodge about an assistant manager position.

  • • •

  Zoe was online, scrolling through old phone records, when the phone rang. She huffed with annoyance and picked it up, hoping it wasn’t another problem. She wasn’t in the mood. “Zoe Larkin.”

  “Zoe, I want you to leave town.”

  The tension eased a bit. Interesting, because his voice used to have the opposite effect. “Hi, Jase.”

  “Did you hear me?”

  “Yes. What happened with the inspection?”

  “We’re closed. There are mice in the food storage pantry.”

  “Oh, no! I’m sorry.”

  “Zoe, we don’t have mice. Someone put them there.”

  A week ago she would have laughed in his face. Now she believed him. “I’m looking on this end. So far I can’t find anything suspicious.”

  “Forget it. I don’t need a name, except to know who they bribed to do their actual dirty work. If he works for me, he’s fired. What I need is for you to get out of the war zone, because I’m going after your employer.”

  “No. We discussed this.”

  “We discussed it when they were pl
aying dirty and I was stupidly waiting them out. Now I’m going to fight back, and I don’t want you involved.”

  “Too late. I want to find out who’s responsible, too, and I will.”

  “Zoe, you can’t. You’re right in the middle—”

  “Jase, you’re wasting your breath.”

  He exhaled, the sound laced with irritation. “This could end badly. It could ruin your reputation.”

  She gave a cynical snort. “Wouldn’t be the first time. At least this time I’d be standing up for something more important than my right to throw a public tantrum. Do you know how you’re going to do it?”

  He paused, no doubt adjusting to the fact that he couldn’t shake her. “I’m not sure yet. They want the Rusty Wire. All I can do is make them not want it.”

  “Jase, you could burn it down and they wouldn’t care. It’s the land they want.”

  “I know, and they have the zoning commission on their side. Probably city council, too. They’re several steps ahead of me, and I don’t know how to fight in that arena. I may need to see an attorney.”

  She bit her lip. “It’s possible I know someone who could help.”

  “Who?”

  “Can you go to the commune tomorrow?”

  • • •

  Jase tossed the two sleeping bags in the bed of Brandon’s truck. They landed next to the nylon bag that held his tent. Stepping back, he dusted off his hands. “Okay, you’re all set. You guys have a good time, and tell your nephew hello from me.”

  “I will. You have time to go get some breakfast?”

  “Can’t, sorry. I have to pick up Zoe in twenty minutes.”

  Brandon paused with his hand on the door handle. “Isn’t seven-thirty in the morning a bit early for a date?”

  “It’s not a date. We’re going up to the People’s Free Earth Commune.”

  His eyebrows went up. “That place where she grew up?”

  “She thinks someone there might be able to help me fight the zoning board and town council. I doubt it, but I kinda wanted an excuse to talk with one of the old guys there I met in town. He does a lot of trout fishing.”

  “Old guy?”

  “Older. Sort of a father figure for Zoe, I gather. Sounds like they all helped raise the kids together.”

  Brandon’s mouth twitched up at the corner. “Oh.”

  “What are you smirking at?”

  “At how fast that happened.”

  “What happened?”

  “She’s taking you home to meet the parents.”

  “It’s not like that.” When Brandon’s smile grew bigger, Jase shook his head. “You’re off base. She doesn’t even want a relationship with me.”

  “Right. And what do you want?”

  He opened his mouth to say, “Sex,” just to shut Brandon up, but that sounded too crude and temporary. He considered saying, “A good time with an interesting girl,” but that sounded too casual and impersonal for what he felt with Zoe. Good times came and went without affecting your heart, and it already felt like she’d moved into a sizable corner of his. If she walked away, he knew there’d be a loud ripping sound inside him.

  Well, damn, what did he want?

  Brandon laughed as he got in the truck. “You think about it, buddy.”

  Jase watched him drive off, still musing over the new realization. He wanted Zoe to stay. Not just overnight. He wanted it badly enough to work for it.

  He could almost feel his center shift as it found a new balance. He would fight to keep the Rusty Wire. And he would fight to keep Zoe. It looked like his days of kicking back and doing nothing with his life were over.

  He stood still, waiting to see if his stomach would knot or his brain start to throb. Nothing. Well, no, that wasn’t true. He felt a spurt of adrenaline, the old, familiar jolt of his body jumping over the starting line, flying toward the goal.

  It felt good.

  • • •

  Jase figured the trip to the commune was worth the time, even if it accomplished nothing. It was an opportunity to see Zoe in shorts and a stretchy tank top. As sexy as she was in business suits, less was better, and the nicely stretched top and those long, shapely legs were tough competition for the spectacular scenery.

  The road snaked back and forth up Two Bears, alternately putting steep, wooded drop-offs on Zoe’s side of the truck, then his. He was familiar with the route. Everyone who lived in B-Pass eventually got curious enough to take a drive past the hippie commune. Most were disappointed when they didn’t see topless women cavorting among the trees to the accompaniment of blaring psychedelic rock, like some sort of perpetual Woodstock. They saw nothing but meadows and rocks and a long, twisting private road that led into a stand of trees.

  Jase turned onto the dirt drive, following the switchback past outcroppings and boulders three times the size of his truck. When the trees closed in, he asked, “How do they keep curious kids from sneaking up here?”

  “They don’t. Anyone is welcome, but few actually bother to come, and no one sneaks up on them.”

  He glanced into the trees, remembering what she’d said about them being comfortable with technology. “Hidden electronic security?”

  “Dogs.”

  He saw what she meant as he rounded the last corner. A pack of dogs of all sizes and no particular breed dashed toward the truck, providing an excited, barking escort for the final two hundred yards. Jase parked near the house and stared. The large wood and stone house looked more like one of the modern ski lodges than a family home.

  “I was picturing a dilapidated old farmhouse.”

  “It’s a prosperous commune. They have a pottery business and a jewelry line that they sell to the high-end retail market.”

  She’d mentioned the items. He’d been thinking braided leather bracelets and novelty coffee cups, but it looked like he might be wrong.

  They waded through five dogs that became eight by the time they reached the large front porch. Before Zoe could knock, the door opened and she was swept into a hug by a woman in a long, lacy skirt and about a dozen silver bracelets, with a long, faded red braid. He guessed it had once been bright red before it was shot with gray. She held Zoe back. “Baby! You look great!”

  “Thanks. Mom, this is Jase Garrett. Jase, this is my mom, Kate Larkin.”

  He held out his hand. “Ma’am. It’s good to meet you.”

  Her blue eyes danced as she walked past his hand and wrapped him in her arms. “Welcome, Jase! We’re so glad to have you here! Come in!” She ushered them through the door, deftly shutting the dogs outside. “Would you like something to eat? Drink? How about some iced green tea with mint?”

  “Sounds great,” Zoe said. “Is Amber here?”

  “You just missed her. She went to Juniper with Marcy. They’re working on getting another store to carry our pottery.”

  Jase knew Zoe was disappointed, but figured he’d meet Cal’s sister another time. He was more interested in the airy great room they passed through, noting the upright piano, several guitars, and a modern stereo system. No computer, no TV; apparently they weren’t too connected to the outside world. He was introduced to a woman named Feather who was dusting an overloaded bookshelf. She reminded him vaguely of his grandmother, if his grandmother had worn a feather in her hair, a tie-dyed blouse, blue jeans, and a pound of beads.

  Kate led them into a large country kitchen and waved at a long, rectangular table. “I called Pete, he’s on his way. Sit down. Tell me all the news.”

  “Everyone’s fine,” Zoe said, pulling out a chair next to Jase. “The usual—Sophie’s playing with bugs. Maggie’s playing with Cal.”

  Kate set three glasses on the table and sat down, including them both in her bright smile. “Am I supposed to ask who you’re playing with?”

  Jase was amused to see a slight flush of pink on Zoe’s cheeks. “I’m not playing. The Alpine Sky is trying to buy Jase’s land, and things are getting nasty. I’m hoping Pete can help us figure out how to
fight back.”

  “Us?” Kate asked, zeroing in on the part that had caught Jase’s attention, too.

  “Him,” Zoe corrected. She flicked a look at Jase, and shrugged. “Us. I’m not taking my employer’s side in this. They play dirty.”

  Kate nodded. “And you like to stick to the rules.”

  Zoe frowned. “Instead of sticking with vandalism, arson, and slander? Yeah, I’d rather stick to the rules.”

  Kate looked thoughtful and a little worried. Jase had a feeling he knew why. “It’s okay, she’s been bending a few other rules.”

  Kate beamed at him. “Thank you. I do worry.”

  “No need. I’ve pointed out her rigid qualities, and it turns out they’re not set in stone.”

  “You must be a good influence.”

  Zoe shot him a what-the-hell look. “Yes, he’s leading me down a path of sin and corruption,” Zoe said. “You’d be so proud.”

  Kate patted her hand. “You needed a little sin in your life, honey.” While Zoe rolled her eyes, Kate looked up with a smile. “Here’s Pete.”

  They went through another round of greetings, with a bear hug for each of them. Jase was taken aback, but figured the hug meant he’d moved up to friend status.

  “Hey, man, good to see you,” Pete said. “Zoe said you had some questions for me.”

  “If you know anything about land use and zoning laws, I do.”

  Pete laughed, a deep, generous sound that made Jase think of Santa Claus, if Santa wore denim overalls and had a long ponytail. “Know more about them than those establishment fools running B-Pass. Good thing, too, ’cause they’d like to legislate our asses out of here. You gotta keep your eye on the Man, ya know?” He took a chair across from them. “So tell me the problem.”

  Jase did, leaning his arms on the table as he told Pete about the Alpine Sky’s offer to buy the Rusty Wire, followed by the vandalism on his truck, the fire, and the accusations that led to closing the place down. “I think Matt Flemming is behind it, but I can’t prove it. He’d buy me out if he could, but I’m not selling, so I need to find a way to make him forget about the land.”