Page 34 of Deadly Peril

Thaddeus got a text and took a second to read it.

“Anything important?” Jana said.

“That was the office. I had a further check done on Rakel to see what would turn up,” Thaddeus said. “But so far, nothing new.”

Jana wasn’t surprised that her ex was being investigated. She assumed that anyone she was connected to would be the subject of a background check. It made her feel like a fish in a goldfish bowl; privacy didn’t exist.

After the sobering talk about the stability of her ski shop, Jana was glad to listen to Coley chat about work and other topics. It was reassuring that her friend’s life was normal. Thaddeus even offered a comment or two, and Coley’s lively interaction with him showed that she liked him.

Then Coley glanced at her phone. “Gotta go,” she said. “I’m picking Michael up at the airport.” She hugged Jana. “I can’t wait to see him. He’s been gone so long.” She lifted a hand. “Catch you later, Thaddeus.”

After Coley left, it seemed quiet, so Jana sipped her coffee. She wasn’t looking forward to going to the shop and facing her partner. He was one man she trusted, so she didn’t want to think he’d let her down. But the figures didn’t lie.

*****

Thaddeus ate the last bite of eggs, then swigged his coffee. He disliked seeing Jana under pressure. With her life hanging in the balance, she had to confront the finances at her shop. And she might find out more than she anticipated.

Last night had been a blip on the radar, a few hours he wouldn’t soon forget. But he couldn’t let emotion undermine duty. He’d resumed his responsibility for Jana, minus any personal feeling. That would only get in the way.

Jana was dressed in a sharp-looking jacket and wool pants with boots. He hadn’t seen her dressed for business before and he approved. The tailored outfit was as attractive as her ski wear. She’d look good in anything…or nothing.

Thaddeus studied his coffee cup. “We should talk.”

Jana looked at him.

“I mean about your business partner. The situation concerns me.”

“You’re worried about the ski shop?” Jana said.

“Not that,” Thaddeus said. “What I’m interested in is whether Alton is a threat.”

Jana stared at him.

Thaddeus stared back. “If something happens to you, who gains control of the business?”

“The way my grandfather set it up was that the business goes to Alton. He’s the one capable of running it,” Jana said. “My grandmother wouldn’t take it on, but she’d be taken care of.”

Thaddeus hesitated. He didn’t want to outright accuse the man of wrongdoing, but anyone Jana knew had to be considered a suspect. “So your death would benefit your business partner?”

Jana’s jaw stiffened, but she didn’t say anything.

“What would happen to your invention?”

“It is part of the business, included in the corporation.” Jana frowned. “If I died, then Alton…”

Thaddeus gave her a moment to consider the possibility.

Jana squeezed the bridge of her nose. “I have to think about this.”

“Have you seen anything that made you suspicious?”

For a moment, Jana didn’t respond. Then she bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I don’t know for sure. A while ago, I read a few emails that Alton didn’t intend for me to see.”

“What were they about?”

“He was communicating with a competitor, and I kind of freaked out. I had the idea that he was discussing our business with someone he shouldn’t.”

“Was he?”

---