Death Knell In The Alps (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) by Peggy A. Edelheit Page B

and needed some aspirin.”
    Hmm… “And why did you have a key to my room?”
    Clay winced in pain, saying, “…For your protection.”
    “Let me get that aspirin,” I said, considering his answer.
    Was he wincing for sympathy or deflection? Ah, trust…
    After swallowing the pills, Clay followed me back into the bedroom, but abruptly took my wrists and pinned me up against the door and kissed me. “Now, where were we?”
    “Uh-uh. You have too much to answer for.”
    I felt the door handle against my spine wiggle a little. I smiled thinking it was some playful move of Clay’s as he gave me a wicked smile in return.
    “I’m about to, right now,” he whispered leaning way in.
    “Stop! You know I can’t think straight when we kiss.”
    “That’s the whole point,” he said, not letting me go.
    I swear I was balancing on one foot, raising my one knee, about to nail him to get his attention to stop. But then the door was shoved open and we both lost our balance, and fell to the floor: me landing on top. I looked back up.
    “What the…? Tell me I’m not seeing this,” said Betty.
    Hazel went scarlet. “Oh, my!” she said, looking away.
    “It’s not what you think,” I said, trying to get up.
    Clay’s face, obscured by my body, lay beneath me as I attempted to untangle us. He was chuckling.
    I finally got to my feet, glaring down at him.
    “Ladies,” Clay said, as he got up off the floor.
    Hazel and Betty drew closer, but before they could ask what was going on, I quickly ushered them inside the room, shut the door and announced, “Clay’s been here the whole time and knows everything.”
    Bunched by the door, everyone began talking. The door flew open again. We all turned to look. It was Martha.
    “What’s this, a skier’s anonymous meeting?” she asked.
    Hazel and Betty parted. Clay smiled. I was tucking my shirt in and straightening my hair from our kissing episode.
    “Should I ask about Clay’s swollen and bruised eye, or leave?” Martha asked me.
    Clay pointed at me. “She threw a perfect fast ball.”
    I grinned at her. “Hey, Martha, where’d you buy that face cream? It really works.”

 
     
     
    Chapter 30
    And Then There Were Two
     
     
    Antsy to get back on the slopes after lunch, the others left to retrieve their skis. Mona had not joined us to eat. The ladies said she was taking a walk. Clay and I headed to the bar and ended up at the same table where Peter and I had sat. It was my invite. I needed to talk to Clay alone.
    “You have some explaining to do, mister.”
    “You sound just like Martha,” said Clay laughing.
    I smiled at his intentional snarky compliment. “No nonsense, straightforward, that’s me, now spill the beans.”
    “Ah, another Martha euphemism.”
    “They do come in handy. And I’m still waiting…”
    Already knowing my stubborn streak and that I wasn’t about to be put off any longer, Clay sighed his usual sigh of being forced to admit some truths .
    If I wasn’t so confident with the new me, I’d be hanging on his every word. Trust me, those days were long gone. Now I mostly ignored his advice and went with instinct.
    But he didn’t really need to know that now, did he?
    “I gather you’d like to know exactly why you’re here.”
    “That would help,” I said, eyeing him warily.
    “After all this time, and you are still suspicious of me.”
    I went on glaring at him, saying nothing.
    He laughed. “I guess I would be too.”
    “So?”
    “I was asked to guard Kraus. I hired Peter as backup.”
    “That much I know. Tell me something I don’t know.”
    “Like what?”
    I wanted to wring Clay’s neck. “Like, why would Kraus ask you of all people? Why not someone local?”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “Then give me the short version.”
    He looked at me steadily. “I haven’t told anyone this.”
    I bit my impatience back, saying, “Told anyone what?”
    His smile faded. “What I’m about to confide in you.”
    Then I realized