Snowmen are Murder - Part #2

Cozy Mystery

Recap: We jumped right into the story with Paisley & Ellie in danger! They’re at an Italian ski resort and trigger an avalanche… but we’re gonna take a step back and see how they got to this point.

This book is the 5th in the cozy mystery series, which means four other mysteries with Paisley & Ellie are out! You can find them on Amazon. They are fun, fast short reads. I write them under my pen name, Ann Audree. You can read about the series ON MY WEBSITE.

If you’re new to Snowmen are Murder, start at Part #1.

Fit Girls: Snowmen are Murder - Part #2

33 Hours Before the Avalanche or in Fit Girls’ time…

… it equals seven Winter Sports Prep classes, one snowshoe hike, a thousand squats, a thousand box jumps, forty thousand steps, one avalanche, and two dead bodies.

“Now, this is what I call… a natural high!”

Paisley Summerhill held her arms out wide in a slow spin, taking in the Italian countryside.

Standing by her side, Ellie Cruz was equally impressed. “Okay, the twelve-hour plane ride was worth it.” She also breathed deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp alpine air.

Northern Italy was home to great wine, friendly people, stunning views, and Paisley’s next fitness job—which officially included Ellie! The specific request had surprised both women in the very best way.

“Pinch me,” Ellie mumbled. “How did this happen?” It was a question she kept asking herself ever since they’d gotten the job offer to drop everything, fly to the Italian Alps, stay at a charming lodge, and get the resort’s skiing clientele in shape.

“People talk,” Paisley said. “It’s kinda how I get all my unique fitness jobs. Someone says something good to the right person. We’ve certainly generated a lot of talk with our little adventures.”

Ellie grinned. They’d solved a few murders, so it was a bit of an understatement. “Sure, but how did they know I could ski?” Ellie wondered. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Paisley had no idea, but her last job created some media coverage. Murder on a vintage train makes for good news. It could have reached ears in Italy, plus Ellie had become an asset. It only made sense that anyone recommending Paisley for a job would include her younger friend.

“We’re a team,” Paisley said. “Might not have planned it that way, but it’s a good thing, don’t you think?”

Ellie agreed. “Getting paid to hang out at an exclusive ski resort? Works for me.”

It helped that Ellie started skiing at six and could navigate the challenging black diamond runs. Paisley knew she could rely on her friend even without her athletic skills. “I’ve been depending on you more and more,” she admitted. “It’s past time we were officially working together.”

The compliment made Ellie put a hand on her heart, genuinely touched by the compliment. While she felt a little like an imposter, she wanted to do a good job. She owed Paisley for getting her over a rough spot. Having to leave college—dropping out—had been a particularly low point, but she’d hit a wall with her celiac disease. The gluten intolerance had done a number on her body, along with a little too much stress mid-semester at college. Ellie couldn’t cope.

Feeling sick all the time had caught up to her. It wasn’t all about her body, though; she’d also had a nasty experience at school. It was all just too much, and taking a break to travel with Paisley was the perfect way to restore her spirit. Plus, her healthy friend had gotten her back in shape and eating right.

Frankly, Ellie didn’t know if she wanted to go back to college. It was a question hanging over her head. One she’d have to face when she returned home. Her parents wanted an answer. They’d have to wait, though. Traveling to Italy came first. When they’d bowed out of seeing family for the holidays, the plan had been to finally go home in the new year—until Itlay happened. The benefits outweighed the negatives.

“What about Dolan?” Ellie asked. She knew her brother had been disappointed when their plans changed and a little annoyed at having to take care of the girls’ Schnauzer puppy, Milo, but it couldn’t be helped. They’d spent a drama-free Christmas with him in Manhattan. The new job, however, spoiled plans to relax all of January. “Dolan sent me a pic of Milo sleeping. I miss him.”

“You miss Dolan?”

“Milo!” Ellie loved the gray, fluffy bundle of energy. “He better not grow up while we’re away.”

Paisley didn’t want to admit that she missed the puppy, too. Milo had a way of making bad days better and good days great. He’d wormed his way into her heart pretty fast, just like he had when a Pet Show job pulled them into a murder investigation. Taking Milo to Italy, however, wasn’t possible due to his age.

“Have you contacted Dolan since we landed?” Ellie asked.

Paisley shook her head, no. “The time change is making it hard.”

For the first time in a long time, Paisley wasn’t worried about Dolan. They’d done some healing, too. Healing from a failed wedding. The couple had almost made it to the altar, but the timing was off. Luckily, life had thrown them together again—well, a dead body did—and they’d been able to re-ignite their relationship, albeit long distance. They were at that stage where they didn’t have to label it, just dating. It was a step backward, but it might spark forward progress one day.

Paisley sighed. Traveling for work and solving a few murders had been the perfect distraction. She wasn’t ready to face the problems she’d left behind. Unfortunately, she knew the past had a way of catching up to the present.

“You’ve got that frown again,” Ellie warned.

“We should meet Dolan and Milo somewhere fun again and not go home. I’m not ready to face my family and justify my choices,” Paisley admitted. “Or your family. Geez, what does your mother think?”

“Oh, she doesn’t care about you and Dolan,” Ellie sounded confident, almost like the topic had already been discussed. “She’s gonna blame you for keeping me out of college.”

Paisley gulped for air, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

“But how did we get so lucky?” Ellie asked. “We’re avoiding all those problems at home to be here!”

Recovering her composure, Paisley turned toward the resort’s entrance. Its arched doors fronted a stone turret, which was once part of a medieval castle, now turned into a high-end pensione (Italian for hotel). The structure perched on a split mountain ridge, facing a private ski slope. A twisting road of switchbacks connected the resort to a little village at the base of the mountain range.

Paisley couldn’t help but smile at their new home for three weeks. It was part fairy tale. “Let’s just have fun this time.”

“What, no dead bodies?” Ellie joked.

Paisley quickly looked around. Luckily, no one was near enough to hear the comment. The private car from the airport had dropped them off and departed. “Let’s downplay some details of our last jobs,” she advised.

“You act like I’ve had any control over finding those kinda details,” Ellie laughed. “That’s all you.”

“Oh look,” Paisley interrupted her friend, obviously shifting subjects to point at a tall man, “that’s Ziggy, the innkeeper. His picture’s on the website.”

“He’s cute,” Ellie said, “for someone your age.”

Paisley jerked her head at the pointed jab to her triple decades. “When you’re my age, you’ll see how young it really is.” She squinted in the innkeeper’s direction, thinking he had a young face. His online picture made him look older, and she couldn’t help but think it was on purpose. “How old do you think he is?”

Ellie bit her lip. “You know I’m just joking. You almost look younger than me!”

“No, I’m serious,” Paisley asked, lowering her voice as she studied the man in question. “How old do you think he is?”

“Who cares?” Ellie asked.

The robust Italian in question greeted them with a welcoming smile that went all the way to his dark eyes. Ziggy gave them a little wave, and they struggled over, managing to move two heavy suitcases and four carry-on-sized bags.

“Welcome, welcome,” Ziggy said in a heavy Italian accent. He was able to speak without lessening the intensity of his smile. It shone brighter than the natural highlights in his ginger hair. “We are so much happy to see you with us!”

He greeted them with a curt bow and then a bear hug, instantly making them feel at home. “All family here, I warn you.”

Ellie took a minute to catch her breath. The innkeeper towered over the girls by a foot, in physical terms, but by a mile in personality. “Hi, there,” she gulped.

“Your resort is magnificent,” Paisley said, warmed by the welcome. “You are really tucked into a gorge here. Only those invited would know where to find you.”

She looked back over her shoulder at the nearby mountain range. It seemed close enough to touch, offering hiking and skiing opportunities. The access road between the two stunning ridges had to be the only way in or out.

“Indeed, yes, we cater to a select few,” Ziggy smiled, making it seem like an asset. “This week, even more so. You shall see. Many unique requests, and we shall honor all.”

Paisley had her share of unique requests in the past. She wasn’t looking forward to more, but that came with working on the elite end of her business. The wealthy paid well, but it came with more eccentricities. In the not-so-distant past, those had led to murder. Not this time, Paisley told herself.

“Of course,” Paisley said, keeping any worries to herself. “We’d love to store our stuff, then see what we’re working with. Perhaps meet some of the guests? How do we check in?”

“Oh, please forgive me,” Ziggy cocked his head to the side, watching her face. “My English is only so good. You, both of you lovely ladies, are of the guests.”

“What?” Ellie asked, certain his English was excellent, but maybe he just had a few words wrong.

Paisley raised a finger. “We’re here to help your guests prepare for the ski slopes. Right?”

“Righty.” Ziggy nodded his head, but his eyebrows rose upward, quickly being hidden by his long amber bangs. “And you are guests.”

Ellie shot a worried look at her friend. “We’re being paid, aren’t we?” she whispered.

“Yes, yes, assolutament!” Ziggy smiled again. “That is absolutely!”

With a shrug, Paisley accepted the answer. “I’m sure it will all make sense when we meet the owner.” She indicated the resort.

“I’m not,” Ellie mumbled.

“I’ve been communicating with Mr. Pietro Ricci,” Paisley added. “We’ll meet him today, si?”

Her use of the Italian word for “yes” didn’t prompt a response. Instead, Ziggy picked up their two large suitcases and headed up the resort steps. He didn’t even look back at them, assuming all was settled and they’d follow him inside.

Paisley put a finger over her lips. “I’m sure Mr. Ricci’s last email said he’d see us tonight.”

Scrunching up her nose but dutifully following the innkeeper, Ellie had a bad feeling. So many of their jobs started with something a little bit off, which never seemed like a big thing—until it became one.

“Just remember that I told you so,” Ellie hissed through her teeth to Paisley.

“You told me what?”

“Oh, no,” Ellie stopped on the steps. “You’re not making me say it out loud. I’m staying positive. It’s bad enough that I’m thinking it.”

“Thinking what?”

“You know what I’m thinking.” Ellie rolled her eyes and picked up her pace, hurrying to catch the entrance door before it closed. She bumped it with her hip. “Age before beauty,” she grinned, letting Paisley go through first, giving her a big wink. “Isn’t that what they say?”

“Only bratty little kids.”

Of course, Paisley knew what her friend was thinking. She was, too, and mentally wondering how much it would cost if their perfect Italian gig wasn’t so perfect and they needed to hightail it home.

“We’re fine,” Paisley said, smiling broadly as she turned to the side to get through the door. Her messenger bag had an awkward way of catching on to things.

The lobby, however, took away some of the worry. Dominated by the original castle turret, the stonework had stood for centuries. It had to have seen worse than any present-day dilemmas. Not that we have any, Paisley thought. She marveled at how the old had been incorporated into the newer parts of the lodge. The soft yellow and white tones mixed well with the modern, minimalist furniture in the reception and lobby area. It all flowed together in one big space as if that had been the plan centuries ago.

Paisley spotted Ziggy waiting for them, gauging their reaction to the resort. For a brief moment, he looked concerned. Perhaps he’d overheard part of their conversation. “No worries, eh?” Ziggy’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline again, adding emphasis to his question. “You will never want to leave.”

Ellie couldn’t help but turn her head away and, in a low voice, whispered, “That didn’t sound creepy at all.”

Ziggy led the way to a reception desk, where he set their luggage down and grabbed a room key. Surprisingly, it was an actual metal key, not a plastic card. He held it up like a trophy. “You will rest. You will dress. You will join us for the evening reception.”

With a frown at the key, Ellie muttered, “I thought those were extinct.”

“Hmm?” Ziggy asked, missing the aside.

“Evening reception?” Paisley pursed her lips together, realizing an agenda must exist. She just wasn’t privy to it. “Shouldn’t we see the facilities and discuss classes and schedules?”

Ziggy frowned, taking a moment to translate what she said. “Ah, no, later. For now, you soak up.” He waved a hand at the surroundings, making the key jiggle from the room number tag. “One of our bestest rooms awaits!”

“Wonderful,” Paisley said, winching from the total lack of control. “Right behind you!” She paused a moment to get a better grip on her messenger bag and stalled for a few seconds to shoot Ellie a withering look.

Ellie shrugged one shoulder in response. It was her go-to move and could mean anything from “What did you expect?” to “I’m hungry.”

Ziggy happily headed them toward a stone staircase. Also part of the old ruins, it dominated one end of the lobby with a wide, elegant curve leading to the second floor. “Come, come,” he sang, whistling to himself. Nothing current or popular, but it sounded happy.

“Charming,” Paisley said, vowing to discover more about the building’s history. “Lots of stuff must have happened here.”

Ellie sniffed, muttering, “Lots of creepy stuff.”

Paisley caught Ellie’s eyes with hers. “You’re the one that’s making it creepy,” she warned. “Please stop using that word. Nothing’s wrong. We’re perfectly fine. Every job doesn’t have to take a wicked turn.”

Famous last words.

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