Murder On Ice Read Online Free PDF

defensive the minute any of us says a word about Luke. Besides, she’s already mad at me.”
    â€œShe’s flipped over him,” Bess said bluntly.
    â€œAnd I don’t like it.” Nancy’s eyes darkened. “Bess, keep an eye on her, will you?”
    Bess nodded as she chose a new outfit. “You can count on it.”
    Nancy and Bess met Ned outside. “I have to wait for Gunther,” Bess said. “He’s going to give me my first downhill ski lesson.”
    â€œOkay,” Nancy said with a smile. “Have fun! Ned and I are going to take the chair lift up to Big Birch.”
    â€œRemember,” Ned added wickedly, “that is your left ski. This is your right ski. This is a pole . . .”
    â€œHow can you stand him?” Bess complained to Nancy.
    Nancy laughed. “Oh, I manage—but just barely!”
    Bess shook her head and went back inside to look for Gunther.
    Ned looked at Nancy in mock anger. “You just barely manage, huh?”
    â€œWell, a little more than barely,” Nancy conceded, laughing. “Come on, let’s go.” She started toward the lift.
    The chair-lift ride to Big Birch was so beautiful that Nancy almost felt sad. It would have been so much fun for her and Ned to be at Webb Cove without a mystery hanging over them!
    The lift neared the top of the mountain, and traveled smoothly over one of Big Birch’s expert slopes.
    â€œHey, look over there,” Ned cried, pointing. “Luke seems to be holding a private little advanced technique class down there. Very exclusive.”
    Nancy glanced down at the slope. There were George and Luke, obviously as engrossed in each other as they were in skiing. “Terrific,” she muttered, squinting. “We’ll have to move fast to catch them. Think you can keep up with me, Ned? This is one of the toughest trails,” she teased.
    â€œDon’t get cute!” Ned retorted. “Remember, I beat you the last time we raced!”
    â€œThe only time we raced,” Nancy answered.
    â€œThen how about a rematch?” Ned said promptly. “Since you’re feeling so cocky. I think I can handle the trail.”
    â€œIf that’s a challenge, you’re on!”
    The chair lift reached the top of the mountain,and Nancy and Ned got off. The slopes were growing crowded as the morning sun turned the hills a dazzling white.
    Ned skied over to the side of the slope and adjusted his boot buckles. “How do you like Luke’s ski equipment?” Nancy asked. “It’s really top quality.”
    â€œIt feels good to me. I just might end up buying it from him.”
    â€œIsn’t it a little unusual for a ski bum to have not one, but two pairs of first-rate professional skis?” Nancy asked.
    Ned laughed. “Clickety-click,” he said, tapping Nancy’s forehead with his index finger. “Your wheels are always turning.”
    Nancy smiled, batting away Ned’s arm. “Well, don’t you think so?” she persisted. “I mean, Luke’s obviously a terrific skier, but I’ve watched him and his movements are kind of quirky. I think he favors his right leg a little.”
    Ned nodded. “I noticed that, too. Could be from an old ski accident.”
    â€œNed, think about this picture for a moment and see if it fits Luke. A guy loves skiing, but an injury keeps him from becoming a real pro. He doesn’t want to admit it, though, so he keeps himself supplied with the best ski equipment available and acts like a big cheese.”
    â€œMakes sense,” Ned admitted. “And George is falling for his delusions of grandeur. You’d think she had more sense than that.”
    â€œLove sure is blind sometimes,” Nancy murmured.
    â€œNow what does that mean?” Ned demanded teasingly.
    â€œOh . . . nothing! Hey, slowpoke, better ski fast if you want to catch me!” And with that,