Under Cold Stone A Constable Molly Smith Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lucky thought, not the father. She pulled up a chair and sat down. “We’ve all changed,” she said, “over the years. It’s nice to see you. Are you living here, in Banff? Still skiing, I hope. Moonlight gave up competition. I was sorry about that, she was very good. Not good enough, she said.”
“She wanted to be the best,” Matt said as a shadow of a smile touched his mouth. “And she usually was. I’ve a job at Sunshine as an instructor soon as the hills open. What’s Moonlight doing?”
“She’s a…uh…still living in Trafalgar. She doesn’t like to be called Moonlight anymore, but Molly, which I must say I do not like.”
Matt nodded. Lucky glanced at Paul. She jerked her head toward the empty chair, indicating that he should sit down. He did so, but his posture was no less aggressive. Hands clenched, back straight, a vein prominent in his neck.
Tracey, the waitress, hovered at Matt’s shoulder, twisting her hands together. Obviously they knew each other. A girlfriend?
“Your father and I are here for the weekend.” Lucky felt like the only living human at a vampire’s wake, chattering away, trying to ignore the currents whirling in the air. “We’re staying at the Banff Springs for a special treat.”
Matt’s eyes flickered toward his father.
Lucky briefly considered suggesting Matt and Tracey have dinner with them tonight. She usually tried to smooth troubled waters whenever she could. But, in the back of her mind, she realized she didn’t want to spend any time with Matt. He might be Paul’s son, but he had been rude and threatening to her. Besides, it wasn’t any of her business, although if her relationship with Paul continued on its course, it might be some day.
She leaned over and picked her bag off the floor. Got to her feet. “I didn’t want breakfast anyway and the tea’s cold now.”
“I’ll get you another,” Tracey said.
“No. Thank you. Paul, why don’t I walk to the hotel? You and Matt have lots of catching up to do.”
Paul pushed his chair back. “We’ve a full day planned, and I intend to enjoy it. If,” he said to his son, “you want to go for a drink or something later, we’re at the Banff Springs until Tuesday morning.” He handed Tracey a green twenty-dollar bill.
Paul stalked out of the restaurant. Lucky followed. She glanced over her shoulder. Tracey was kneeling on the floor beside Matt. The boy’s eyes were on his disappearing father.

Chapter Nine
     
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER RESTAURANT. BANFF, ALBERTA. SATURDAY MORNING.
Tracey rested her hand on Matt’s back. When he didn’t pull away, she dared to slide closer, her knees scraping against the old wood of the floor. “Was that your father?”
Matt didn’t look at her. “Yeah. Great guy, eh? If he hadn’t been with Mrs. Smith he probably woulda sucker-punched me.”
“You know the woman, too?”
He shrugged. “She owns a shop back home.”
“In Calgary?”
“Nah. I grew up in a miserable dump of a town in B.C. The folks moved to Calgary when I was in grade twelve. That’s when I split.”
“Oh.” Tracey didn’t know much about Matt’s life before they met. She knew he didn’t get on with his cop father, rarely saw his mom and his sister. This guy here today, Matt’s dad? He didn’t look so bad. He was angry, but who wouldn’t be the way Barry was hassling his girlfriend? Matt, she thought with a twinge of disloyalty, was far too quick to follow Barry. One day, he’d follow Barry into real trouble, if he didn’t watch out. Barry had the sense to leave as soon as the woman threatened to call the cops and Kevin came out of the back. Kevin, they all knew, was an ex-con and he wasn’t going to allow any trouble in his place. Barry usually had the sense to drop it when things started to get out of control, but not Matt.
“You want something to eat?” Tracey said. “Your dad paid but they didn’t have their breakfast.”
“Nah.” His head was turned away from her, so she couldn’t see his