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“Right.” He nodded. “Which is why we’re here. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Just thinking. They call out names of the snowboarders before they go down, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then,” she said, “we’ll just watch and see who leaves when they skip his name.”
“That’s actually a great idea.” He pointed. “The parkinglot is at the base of the run. If I were Kevin, I’d be down at the bottom so when Michael finished, I’d have a better chance of having access to him.”
“So we just watch the people at the base of the run.”
“It’s just a guess, but an educated one.”
“A smart one. Let’s go.” She made sure the comms unit was tucked into her ear, then grabbed the heavy coat, gloves, and hat Penny had provided, and Vince did the same.
They headed for the door, and Vince let her take the lead while he glanced at his watch. “They’re getting ready to start.”
They made it out of the condo and onto the slope. Steps led to the base of the run and they hurried down them.
“All right, everyone, the countdown is on!” The voice boomed from the speakers and Vince flinched and stopped.
He grabbed her hand. “Raina. Hold up.”
With a frown, she turned. “What is it?”
“Let’s just stand here and watch a second. It’s a good view. Some of the spectators aren’t wearing hats. Focus on them.”
She stood beside him, scanning faces, while the voice over the speaker continued. “Are you ready to say hello to your Olympic team?” A deafening cheer rose from the crowd. “All right, here we go. First up, the superpipe...”
“I don’t see anyone that could be Kevin.” Raina pointed to the schedule on the board. “Michael is still listed as doing the halfpipe. I don’t think Kevin would be here at this event. He’d be at the other run, waiting. Which is...” She turned, looking. “Over there.”
Vince nodded. “Yeah. I can see that. Let’s get to the other slope and you can scope it out. It won’t be long before they’re done with this one.”
While the announcer continued, Vince let his gaze roam the crowd. The first athlete swooped down the slope, impressive with his skill and awe-inspiring stunts. Vince shook his head.He’d never be able to judge them, as they all looked amazing to him. “All right, let’s go.”
With Raina’s hand still in his, he led her through the crowd toward the other halfpipe. Thankfully, they reached it ahead of the mass of bodies, and Vince edged closer to a security officer on the other side of the fencing. He showed him his badge and introduced himself and Raina. “We’re looking for someone who may be a threat to one of the snowboarders.” He didn’t mention that the kid wasn’t there. “Do you mind if we stand on the platform so we can get a good look at the other side as well? We’re working with Sheriff Helms.” Vince gave him their information and the man studied the badges for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, after a verbal check with the sheriff, he nodded and opened the gate to let them through.
Vince led Raina to a set of steps that took them up to a covered area. And a perfect view of the slope once again and all of the people converging on it. “It’s incredible,” Vince murmured.
He’d done his homework. The twenty-two-foot-high U-shaped walls were sixty-four feet apart from lip to lip and towered over the onlookers. It was a six-hundred-foot-long run at an eighteen-degree pitch. Perfect for maintaining the speed needed for the tricks the participants would do.
“Awe inspiring,” Raina agreed.
“Next up, we have the halfpipe,” the announcer said. “We’ll give everyone a moment to get settled, then our contestants will start their show.”
“He’s last,” Raina murmured. “Or he would be if he was here.”
“Yeah. Take note of the crowd. You watch for Kevin. I’ll watch for someone moving out of the ordinary.”
Raina tapped an impatient toe through the performances, and finally, the announcer’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “And now, what you’ve all been waiting for. The seemingly overnight snowboarding sensation, the youngest American toever earn enough points that, should he be old enough to go, he’d be heading for the Olympics, Michael Harrison!”
Cheers erupted and Vince spied the movement at the top of the run.
Raina gasped and her hand shot out to clasp his bicep. “He announced him? He’s here? Vince, he’s not supposed to be participating!”
“I know.” But he was, and just like all the other competitors, he balanced himself on the board, waved, and shot down the slope into the halfpipe.
“There’s that puff of snow at the takeoff, folks. Perfect conditions today for this event. Look at that boy go! Right into a Method air. This kid has got mad skills, people.”
