Death Knell In The Alps (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

Peter?
    He must’ve realized I wasn’t behind him by now, right? Could Peter ski back uphill to get me? I stared at the trail as it sloped downward, feeling disoriented. I knew the village was down below, but how far, and which way? All the trees surrounding me now obscured any distant views.
    I couldn’t stand there and wait any longer. I had to get moving and take my chances before the sun set. Skiing in the dark was not exactly a specialty of mine. Come to think of it, skiing in daylight wasn’t either. I adjusted my goggles, dug my poles in, and… bam. I was struck hard.
    The wind knocked out of me, I collapsed to the ground.
    I lay in the snow on my back, too stunned to move from the hit and the sudden pain, trying to catch my breath. After a minute, I finally opened my eyes expecting to see a skier standing over me, apologizing to see if I was all right.
    But no one stood there.
    I raised my head a little and glanced around. Zip. Then I slowly sat up. I still had my skis on, which were positioned awkwardly in the air. Somehow I managed to get them flat on the ground, grabbed my pole, and stood up, then bent to grab the other. Then I took stock of my surroundings and a much-needed calming deep breath.
    I couldn’t believe someone would hit me and not stop to see if I was okay. Of course, I was in the middle of the trail. Perhaps with all the trees obscuring long distance views, the skier hadn’t seen me until the last minute.
    But still, it didn’t excuse their actions. Would someone else come along? I hadn’t seen anyone for a while: which was a good and a bad thing. The good thing: I wouldn’t get another surprise hit. The bad thing: there would be no one to direct me back to town. I had to get out of there, after having visions of me wandering aimlessly and spending the night slowly freezing to death or, maybe injust hours .
    Then my crazy mind kicked in. Did I have identification on me? I frantically searched and came up with my wallet. Good. At least if they found me in a frozen lump they could identify the body. I stood there visualizing that.
    Uh-uh. Not in my book. I’d ski downhill in the dark first, rather than freeze to death. There’s no way…
    Then an idea hit. That chalet I’d passed. I could go back there for help. I turned around. It wasn’t that far and the trail looked almost flat.
    It’d be like cross-country skiing…

 
     
     
    Chapter 17
    What Was I Thinking?
     
     
    I half skied, slid, limped and finally dragged myself to the clearing where the picturesque chalet stood. Now I felt like I was in the postcard from hell. I was panting heavily, making a mental note to never, and I mean never, go cross-country skiing. I was born to drive not ski. Scratch sports.
    I was panting and dripping with perspiration: so much for freezing to death. I’d probably have a heart attack first. That would have been preferable at that point. I could barely stand. My thighs were screaming bloody murder.
    If Clay suddenly appeared I would have committed one.
    I tried to focus on my mission: ask for directions. I stuck my poles in the snow and unsnapped my skis, propped them against the fence of the chalet and tore off my scarf. Then I unlatched the gate and approached the front door.
    I found a pull chain attached to a bell and rang it.
    Nothing.
    I started knocking on the door. Then I pounded.
    Nothing .
    I stepped back from the door and surveyed the whole chalet. It was shuttered tight. No one was there. I tried the doorknob, but it was locked. Then I started walking the perimeter. It was the same everywhere: locked up tight. My eyes drifted over to a horse in an enclosed corral. He was leaning over the fence post and just staring at me.
    Okay, I was desperate.
    I walked over and called out, “Hey, fella.”
    He sniffed my outstretched hand.
    “Sorry, buddy. No snacks. Not for you or me. Here I am stuck in the middle of nowhere, tired, cold, and with no one to talk to.” I looked around. “It’s