Page 58 of Deadly Peril

“We don’t either,” Jana said. “But Thaddeus is with me every second. I didn’t want to upset you.”

Eva looked at Thaddeus and narrowed her eyes. “You were hired to protect my granddaughter.”

Thaddeus looked back. “And you can count on me to do that.”

Eva stared at him for a long moment, then nodded and got up to clear the dishes. Jana and Thaddeus finished eating then helped her clean up the kitchen. No more was spoken about the incident, but a shadow had settled over an otherwise pleasant breakfast.

*****

The roads had been cleared but the snow had piled up along the sides. Heavy drifts had fallen late the night before, buffeted by high-speed winds. The sky was dark, and the weather report predicted more heavy snow.

Jana was used to snow, plus the truck had snow tires and chains. Wind whipped through the trees as Thaddeus navigated the way to the ski shop. He focused on the traffic ahead. “I checked in with the office while you were getting ready this morning.”

“Anything helpful?”

Thaddeus shook his head. “There is no new information that’s turned up. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that your safety was assured. There are no indications that you’d be under threat.”

“Yet I am.”

“Digging into the background and activities of those who know you is limited. It can be fruitful, but in your case, it’s been a dead end.”

“If someone I know is after me, they haven’t left a trail. Is that what you’re saying?”

“You could put it that way.”

The rest of the way, Jana tried not to think about it. She was going to drive herself crazy. There weren’t many cars in the lot at the ski shop. The locals would venture out later, used to the inclement weather. But tourists tended to stay in when bad weather conditions loomed.

Thaddeus parked and followed her inside. Two clerks were on shift, rearranging the ski gear and clothes to prepare for business. Jana greeted her staff. “Is Alton in yet?”

“He’s going to be late,” a clerk said.

Jana motioned for Thaddeus to follow her. “It would be a little silly, at this point, for you to linger at the door. You can come to my office with me.” She walked through the back and unlocked her door. “I want to show you something, anyway.”

Thaddeus sat across from the desk, while Jana booted up her computer. “Come around here. I’d like for you to see this.” It was confirmation of the patent.

“That is a big deal,” Thaddeus said.

“You got that right. I’m nearly home free. After Coley’s rave about the device, I can smell success.”

Thaddeus rubbed his palm over her shoulder, then sat across from her, apparently content to watch her work for a bit. It wasn’t long before Alton arrived. The noise from the other office alerted Jana to his presence.

“I suppose it’s time to have that confrontation,” Jana said, wishing she didn’t have to.

“You’ve delayed it, but I don’t think you should just forget about it.”

Thaddeus was right. Days before, Jana had been alarmed over the financial condition of the shop. She’d trusted her partner to run operations, and it seemed right to expect that he’d keep her advised about the situation.

“You should go with me,” Jana said. “I’d like your feedback on how it goes.”

Thaddeus followed her to Alton’s office. The door was open, but she knocked anyway. “Good morning.”

“Ah, Jana…Thad…sorry I was late. I had to make a call to the doctor.” Alton leaned back in his chair. “Did you wish to talk about something?”

Jana sat in a chair across the desk, and Thaddeus took the one next to her. “How is your wife doing?” she said, then glanced at Thaddeus. “It’s all right to talk in front of my bodyguard. I don’t have secrets from him.”

Alton sighed. “It’s rough, you know. It breaks my heart to see her so weakened.” He clasped his hands together. “But the doctors have agreed on some new medications. The prescriptions are expensive, but if they help…”

“That’s one thing I wanted to speak to you about,” Jana said. “I am deeply sorry that your wife is having such a tough time. I truly am.”

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