Page 10 of Silent Road

"One of our best," Michael said."Been here almost as long as I have.She's on our management team, too, but teaching is her real passion.Those are her lucky ski pants—says they helped her win the '98 regionals."He frowned at the screen."But I've never seen her that angry before."

Sheila studied the footage."What were they arguing about?"

"Hard to tell from this angle," Michael said."But look at Greenwald's body language—he's pointing up the slope.Maybe something about his skiing?"

"Can we get audio?"

Michael shook his head."These cameras are video only."

"Where's Pierce now?"Sheila asked.

"Should be teaching.She has an advanced class at ten."Michael checked his watch."They'll be finishing up soon on Lower Horizon."

Sheila straightened."Tommy, you're with me.Michael, get me everything you have on Diana Pierce—employment records, incident reports, anything."

"You think she's involved?"Tommy asked as they headed for the door.

"I think someone who knows skiing well enough to teach it would know exactly how to position a body in perfect form."

"But why?Over an argument?"

"That's what we're going to find out."

CHAPTER FOUR

The waiting room outside Mountain Peak Resort's employee lounge felt like a time capsule from the 1980s.Wood-paneled walls displayed faded photos of grinning skiers in neon jumpsuits, their hairstyles as dated as the decor.Sheila shifted in the orange plastic chair, acutely aware of every creak and pop from the aging furniture.

"Diana's in a staff meeting," Michael had told them."Should be done in fifteen minutes."That had been twenty minutes ago.

Tommy paced near the window, pausing occasionally to watch snowflakes drift past the glass.His earlier eagerness had mellowed into something more contemplative.

"You ski?"she asked, partly to break the silence, partly because she'd noticed how his eyes kept tracking the falling snow.

He turned from the window, looking almost startled by the question."Used to.My dad taught me when I was little.We'd drive up from Salt Lake every weekend during the season."A shadow crossed his face."Feels like a lifetime ago now."

"Is he still around?"

Tommy shook his head."He's alive, sure, but he's out of the picture.Left me as the man of the house at a young age."His hand went to his badge, a gesture she recognized—touching it for reassurance, the way others might finger a lucky charm.

"Is that why you joined?"she asked."To take care of your family?"

"Partly.And partly to prove I'm not the man he was, I guess.I'd do anything to look after my family, unlike him."His eyes took on a far-away look.Watching him, Sheila sensed there was much more to this young man than met the eye.

"So what brought you here, to Coldwater?"she asked.

He looked directly at her."You did."

"Me?"

"Your reputation...people say you care about the victims, not just closing cases.You stand for something.That's the kind of person I want to work for."

Sheila felt her face warm."I try," she said."Sometimes caring too much makes the job harder, though."

"Like with Deputy Mercer?"Tommy asked, then immediately looked sheepish."Sorry, that was out of line."

"No, it's okay."Sheila surprised herself by meaning it."Finn and I...it complicates things sometimes.Having feelings for your partner."

"But worth it?"

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