Read Online To Hell in a Handbasket by Beth Groundwater - Free Book Online

woods and meeting up with Stephanie’s right before hers veered off. You said the skier was dressed all in black. Can you be more specific?”
    â€œBlack skis, those skinny graphite black poles, black gloves, and Spyder pants and jacket.”
    â€œSpider?”
    â€œIt’s not what you’re thinking, Mom,” Judy said. “It’s S-P-Y-D-E-R, a brand of ski clothing, with a big logo of a spider on the pieces.”
    â€œWhat about his head?” Claire asked Naylor. “Could you see his face or hair?”
    â€œHe wore sunglasses, but no hat. His hair was kinda gray, or a mix of black and gray. I was surprised an old dude could ski that fast.”
    â€œWas he heavy?” Roger patted his own paunch.
    â€œNope. Thin.”
    Judy leaned forward. “I think I saw the man. He rode up the T-bar a few positions behind Stephanie and me. I remember him because he shoved past a couple of guys adjusting their gear at the top of Ptarmigan like he was in a big hurry. I thought he was rude.”
    â€œCan you add anything to the description Boyd gave us?” Claire asked.
    Naylor winced.
    Claire caught the movement. “Sorry. Nail-It.”
    â€œThe man was on the other side of the slope from us,” Judy said, “so I didn’t get a look at his face. I asked Stephanie if she’d seen how rude he was.” Judy’s voice caught, and she grabbed her cocoa cup to take a sip.
    Claire rubbed Judy’s shoulder. “Did she see him?”
    Judy shook her head. “She was fixing her gloves and didn’t see him at all.”
    Tapping his plastic fork on his empty paper plate, Naylor seemed to formulate some decision. “I drew a picture of him.”
    â€œThe skier?” Roger asked.
    â€œYeah, I’m majoring in art.”
    â€œMe, too,” Judy said.
    â€œCool.” Naylor looked at Judy, as if assessing her with a fresh eye, but when she showed no return interest, he sucked on his fork and focused on Claire. “I couldn’t get to sleep last night. I kept seeing the dude in my head. So I decided if I drew him, maybe he’d leave my dreams and live on paper, you know?”
    Claire didn’t know, but she nodded.
    â€œAnyway, it worked.”
    â€œWe’ll need to get that drawing.” Claire reviewed what they knew. An older man, dressed in black Spyder ski clothes, who was an excellent skier, had deliberately killed Stephanie. “I want to take the information you gave us to Detective Silverstone at the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.”
    Naylor shook his head and sat back, his palms pushing against the table, as if ready to bolt. “You promised you wouldn’t go to the cops.”
    Claire spoke quietly, but firmly, “No, I said we wouldn’t tell a soul unless you approve it first. I’m asking for your approval. You’re in danger, Boyd. Look how easily we found you. Not only will the police have no trouble tracking you down, but this skier-in-black could do the same and come after you.”
    â€œI can take care of myself,” Naylor said.
    â€œNot if he has a gun,” Claire replied. “Detective Silverstone needs to hear how the skier chased you, so he knows how dangerous this man is. This isn’t only about your safety. What if the skier gets his kicks from crashing into people on the slope? What if he kills someone else? Do you want that on your conscience?”
    Naylor tucked his hands under his armpits, hugging himself. His gaze shifted up and down the street, searching once more. “What if the cops can’t find him, and he gets to me in the meantime?”
    â€œHow about this? I’ll tell Detective Silverstone your concerns and see if he can offer protection.”
    â€œI don’t want cops hanging around my place.”
    â€œSo you live here?” Roger asked.
    â€œFor the season, at least.”
    â€œLet me see what the detective has to say,”