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left the office. Nancy wouldhave preferred to ask Alex about the men at the diner, since he knew about her investigation, but Logan would probably know who the men were, too. “Hey, Logan,” she began, “could I ask you a question?”
    â€œSure,” he answered. “What’s up?”
    â€œDoes Alpine Adventures have any serious competition here in town?” she asked.
    â€œStill thinking about Wednesday night’s break-in, eh?” he responded. “I guess we’ve all got our theories as to who did it.”
    â€œI suppose we do,” Nancy agreed. “Who do you think was responsible?”
    â€œHank Moody,” Logan said, not hesitating for an instant.
    â€œWho’s Hank Moody?” Nancy asked, sliding into one of the two visitors’ chairs across from the desk and unzipping her jacket.
    â€œOh, sorry,” Logan said. “I’m not used to having to explain who people are. Hank Moody owns Outrageous Adventure, the other guide service in town.”
    â€œReally?” Nancy raised an eyebrow in interest.
    â€œYes,” Logan continued. “Only his company is going down the tubes. Hank knows Rainier like the back of his hand, but that’s the problem. He leads the same trips over and over, in exactly thesame way. People don’t want that. They want new experiences. A lot of his clients have come to us.”
    â€œSo you think he could be responsible for the break-in?” Ned asked from the doorway.
    Logan nodded. “He’s the only person I know who has a motive.”
    â€œDoes Alex know you feel this way?” Nancy asked.
    â€œI told him last night,” Logan answered. “But he doesn’t think it’s Moody.”
    â€œI guess you don’t disagree very often,” Nancy said.
    â€œWe usually see eye to eye on almost everything,” Logan answered, a fondness in his voice. “We were roommates in college—and always said we’d go into business together when we graduated six years ago.”
    â€œIt’s great that it worked out,” Ned put in.
    â€œWell, it didn’t work out at first,” Logan responded. “When we got our diplomas, I became a mountaineer and Alex became a ski instructor. Then two years ago, Alex called and wanted to know if I’d help him open a guide service. Kara had had a baby the year before, and he needed someone to help him out for a while.
    â€œI was on the U.S. climbing circuit, just starting to get sponsors to climb in Europe. But Alex talked me into it. He said we’d be just outside Rainier National Park. Rainier’s the most respected mountain in the Lower Forty-eight, he said, and a volcano to boot. Alex had studied geology in college and has always had a thing for volcanoes. He’d even put in a bid on this office space. How could I refuse?”
    â€œThat was quite a sacrifice,” Nancy commented.
    â€œNot really.” Logan shook his head. “I was ready for a break from heavy competition. Now that things have settled in here, I’m going back to climbing. I’ve just had an offer from Recreational Gear, a company that specializes in climbing equipment, to sponsor me, and I’ve accepted.” Logan’s face lit up with excitement as he spoke. “I’ll be leaving in about a month.”
    Just then they heard the front door open and Tsu speak to someone. A man in his midtwenties poked his head in the office. He was fairly short, with olive skin, slicked back hair, and dark eyes.
    â€œCan I help you?” Logan asked, getting up to assist him.
    â€œWe’ll see,” the man replied gruffly, pulling off his shearling gloves. “I’m Eladio Martinez, from Great Outdoors magazine.”
    Logan extended his hand to Eladio. “Of course, Eladio,” he said. When Eladio shot him a nasty look, Logan added, “You don’t mind if I call you Eladio, do you?”
    â€œI suppose