Heart of Ice Read Online Free Page B

food had arrived.
    â€œSo how was your talk with Tsu?” Ned asked, biting into his sandwich.
    â€œNot so great. I mean, she’s nice, but I don’t think she knows anything. I want to find Anne Bolle. From what Kara tells me, she just might be my prime suspect.”
    â€œRight,” Ned nodded. “But how can we track her down?”
    Nancy gave Ned a sly grin, then concentrated again on the case. “Kara thinks she’s staying inSeattle—with some climbing friends named Joshua and Sarah Jones,” Nancy said, dipping her spoon into the piping-hot soup. As she raised the spoon to her mouth, the conversation at the next booth caught her attention.
    â€œI won’t have that little know-it-all climber and his wife run us out of town. We were here first, and we’ll get our business back on track—no matter what it takes!”

Chapter

Four
    I NSTINCTIVELY N ANCY PUT A finger to her lips, signaling for Ned to be quiet. She turned her head so she could hear more of the conversation, but the two men had lowered their voices. Thinking fast, Nancy dropped her fork and gazed up at the men as she picked it up. One was fairly stocky, with gray hair and an unshaven face. He appeared to be in his midfifties. The other was younger, clean-cut, and of average build.
    As Nancy sat up again, the waitress came by to ask if the food was all right.
    â€œIt’s delicious,” Ned responded.
    When the waitress left, Nancy turned her headto listen in on more of the men’s conversation. When she didn’t hear anything, she turned and saw that the two men were walking out the restaurant door.
    â€œShoot,” Nancy murmured, exasperated. “I was hoping they’d stick around a little longer so I could hear a little more.”
    â€œI’m sure Alex or Kara will know who they are,” Ned offered. “It sounded as if they’re a competing company. How many other guide companies can there be in Enumclaw?”
    â€œYou’re right,” Nancy answered, sitting up straighter. “I’ll ask Alex as soon as he gets back from Tacoma.”
    After finishing off their lunch with slices of pie, Nancy and Ned headed back to Alpine Adventures. There was no sign of life in the waiting room, but from the noise coming out of the office, Nancy guessed that Logan and Tsu were working there. As she approached the door, Nancy heard that they were in the middle of an intense discussion.
    â€œThere’ll be lots of other trips,” Logan was saying. “You’ll have plenty of chances to get your certification. But when I take that new job, I’ll be leaving for good. This is one of my last chances to climb with Alex and Kara.”
    â€œI know,” Tsu agreed. “But I’ve worked hard for this, and getting my certification on the Rainier trip will make it special.”
    There were several moments of silence, then Logan spoke. “I didn’t know it meant so much to you,” he said, “or I wouldn’t have asked.”
    â€œI know that it means a lot to you, too. But I really want to go,” Tsu answered.
    Realizing that the conversation was about to end, Nancy signaled for Ned to step away from the door quietly, then acted as if she had just come into the office. “Anybody here?” she called.
    â€œWe’re back here,” Logan called back.
    â€œOh, hi,” Nancy said casually as she stuck her head into the office doorway. “We just came from lunch.”
    â€œThe Kitchen has great food, Logan,” Ned said as he leaned on the doorframe. “Thanks for recommending it.”
    â€œI’m glad you liked it,” Logan answered with a smile. “It’s one of my favorites.”
    Nancy stepped into the office. “Is Alex back yet?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” Logan responded, checking his watch. “He said about three.”
    â€œHmmm,” Nancy said, pausing as Tsu excused herself and