01 Storm Peak by John Flanagan Read Free Book Online Page B

in the corner of a gondola cabin, eyes staring, hands instinctively clasped to the puncture wound under the chin.
    He was still visibly shaken when Jesse arrived at the gondola station.
    “I thought he was just drunk,” he was saying for the tenth time. “I just thought he was drunk when the doors opened and he didn’t move to get out. So I reached in to shake him just a little …”
    Lee reached out and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. There were tears forming in the old man’s gentle, blue eyes.
    “We know that, John. You didn’t do anything wrong here. We know,” she said in a soothing voice.
    Tom, feeling for the old guy, patted his back awkwardly as well.
    “Just tell us what happened, John,” he urged. Hostetler turned his gaze to the deputy.
    “I just thought he was drunk, Tom. People do that up there on Thunderhead when they go to the restaurants. They drink too much and we have to call the Tipsy Taxi for them. You know that.”
    The Tipsy Taxi was a community service, subscribed to by most of the bars and restaurants in town and on the mountain. When a patron got too far over the odds with his drinking, you could call Alpine Taxis and give them a chit to charge the ride against. A central fund reimbursed the taxi driver for his lost fare.
    “I know that, John,” said Tom. “Just tell us what happened here and I’ll get you home.”
    The old man shook his head, as if trying to rid himself of the picture that had imprinted itself onto his brain.
    “He looked drunk,” he muttered. “The doors opened—they do that automatically—and nobody got out. So I just reached in to see was he all right and when I touched him … he just fell.”
    He shook his head again. “Why would someone do that? Why would someone do a thing like that?”
    Lee heard the door to the office open, felt a brief swirl of cold air from outside. She turned to see Jesse looking inquiringly at her. She gestured for him to wait a moment, then spoke softly to Tom.
    “Get him back to his place, Tom,” she said and the deputy nodded, his concerned gaze on the emotional older man.
    “Maybe I should stay with him a piece?” he suggested. “Make sure he settles down all right?”
    Lee nodded. “Good idea.” Then, as a further thought struck her, “Give Doc Jorgensen a call. We’re going to need him to examine the body anyway. He might as well stop at John’s place on the way and make sure he’s okay.”
    Tom nodded and put his arm under Hostetler’s elbow to help him from his chair. The elderly man went along with him.
    “Come on, John. I’ll get you home and get you settled into bed.”
    Hostetler hesitated a moment, looking at Lee. “You sure you don’t need me here, Sheriff?” he asked. Lee touched his arm gently.
    “We’ll manage fine for tonight, John,” she said. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow but for tonight, you get a good night’s sleep.”
    Still Hostetler was reluctant to leave. “But the gondola,” he protested, “someone’s got to be in charge …”
    “We’ll look after that,” Lee promised him. “I’ve got one of the town cops here to do that. And besides, nothing much can happen till we’ve disconnected that cabin from the cable.”
    Hostetler looked around the office, confused by the rapid turn of events. “Well, I’d better call maintenance for that—” he began.
    Lee made a small movement with her head toward the door. Tom Legros saw it and began ushering the gondola attendant out, reassuring him as he did so.
    “We’ve done all that, John,” he said. “It’s all taken care of. Now you come with me.”
    Finally Hostetler allowed the deputy to lead him from the office. Lee watched him go with a sad look on her face.
    “Poor old guy,” she muttered as the door closed behind him.
    Jesse was about to speak when the phone on the desk shrilled suddenly. It wasn’t the outside line, but a direct line to the gondola station at the top of Thunderhead. Lee motioned for Jesse to