Death Takes a Holiday Read Online Free PDF Page B

train created to ferry special guests of the Crystal Palace Ski Resort up snow-capped mountains and lush forests to their destination, a five-star resort hidden far away from the bustling cities and small towns of Colorado.
    Grace glanced down at the brochure in her hand. She turned to the outline of the train’s interior. In addition to the locomotive up fr ont, the train consisted of four separate cars, each joined together by an enclosed vestibule. According to the brochure, the first car nearest the locomotive was an elegant, but comfortable lounge car reminiscent of the lounge cars from the heyday of train travel. Next in line was a gourmet dining car with its own five-star rated Michelin chef. It was followed by an observation car with a glass-topped roof designed to offer a panoramic view of the mountain. And following up the rear was the sleeping car which was by far the largest of the four cars. Within the sleeping car, were ten opulent and spacious single and double suites that would make any five-star hotel envious. The brochure ended by saying that every need would be attended to by the high-quality professional staff employed by the Palace. In addition to the chef, was a conductor with more than twenty years’ experience on the rails and two highly trained attendants. Grace placed the brochure back into her purse and looked around the train station.
    She bit her lip nervously, as she alternately admired the train before her and anxiously checked her watch. Standing on her tiptoes, she surveyed the almost empty platform. Besides herself, the only other person on the platform was a man in a blue uniform with a bushy gray mustache standing near the front of the train. He glanced at his watch as he waited near one of the train’s side doors. Must be the conductor, she thought, as she dropped back down.
    Where w as Kyle? she asked herself again. Shivering against the cold, she drew her white wool coat closer to her. He had disappeared with all, but one piece of her luggage thirty minutes ago. He had insisted on taking her luggage and putting it away in her room himself, determined to have everything perfect before she boarded the train. Grace had been surprised and pleased at this sudden burst of romantic attention.
    She mentally chided herself. She shouldn’t have been as shocked as she was. Kyle was often spontaneous and unpredictable; it should have come as no surprise that he was the same in his private life, as well.
    But now worry was gnawing at her. They should be sitting on the train right now, she thought nervously, standing on her tiptoes once again.
    Seconds later , Grace heard the sound of heavy footsteps pounding against the wooden floor. She turned to find a thin young man in a red winter coat running towards the train dragging a battered suitcase. A tattered blue backpack hung from one shoulder.
    Panting with effort, the man stopped next to Grace. Bending over slightly, he took several deep breaths. “I thought I was going to miss it.”
    Grace smiled. “You ’re fine. We don’t leave for another twenty minutes.” Grace glanced back at the station. Still no sign of Kyle.
    Straightening, he looked at her curiously. A little too curiously for Grace’s comfort. She took a step back as he leaned closer to her and peered at her from behind his glasses. “Are you going to the Crystal Palace, too?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
    Grace shrugged her shoulders restlessly. “That was the plan. I’m looking forward to it. I hear it’s absolutely beautiful.”
    “ It is,” he said, still staring at her intently.
    “You’ve been there before?”
    “Yep.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. “It’s a nice relaxing place to think.” To Grace’s relief, he suddenly seemed to lose interest in her. He backed up a few steps as his gaze flew over to the train.
    “How was the train ride up there?” Grace asked.
    “Long.”
    “I’m looking forward to it. A majestic ride through snow-capped