From Here to Paternity

casually passing by out there. Only guests and employees and people from the tribe.“
    And the mysterious skier , Jane said to herself. Then, to them: “The mysterious skier!“
    “What are you talking about?“ Tenny asked.
    “I’ve seen him a couple times. Shelley, you saw him this morning, remember?“
    “I have no idea what you’re going on about,“ Shelley said bluntly.
    “It’s somebody I’ve seen on that slope a few times. No, not on the slope. At the top of the hill a couple times and once coming through the woods. This person, I think it’s a man, or maybe a very tall woman, looked like a nature nut. Binoculars, cameras, a notepad. A couple times I’ve seen him stop and take pictures or look over the resort.“
    “So you’re casting this mystery person as the murderer?“ Shelley asked.
    “No, not necessarily. But as a possible witness.“
    “Oh,“ Shelley said softly. “You could be right. You should tell the sheriff.“
    “I think I’ll mention it to Mel. I’ve talked quite enough to that sheriff for my lifetime.“
    “Thanks for making me sit down and eat, and thanks even more for letting me talk,“ Tenny said, folding her napkin. “I really should get back and see how Aunt Joanna is doing.“
    “Tenny, feel free to drop in on us anytime you want to get away from everything,“ Shelley said. “And I’ll pass what we talked about on to Paul as soon as I hear from him.“
    “You know,“ Tenny mused, “it’s been really therapeutic to talk to someone who didn’t know Uncle Bill well and can speak calmly and listen dispassionately. Thanks again for letting me bend your ears.“ She signaled to the waiter, signed the tab with the notation “House Acct—TG,“ and left.
    “Jane, gulp down the last of your coffee and let’s go watch for the kids out in front,“ Shelley said.
    “Did you get her to tell you about the fistfight?“
    “Yes, but I’d rather scoop up the kids and go back to our cabin to talk.“

Chapter 15

    Shelley and Jane sat down on one of the benches flanking the front doors. It was a sunny afternoon and the benches were warm. Although the women were surrounded by snow, the spot was protected by the wind and was surprisingly comfortable.
    “Tell me what Tenny said about the fight,“ Jane said, as there was nobody else near them at the moment.
    “Tenny said she’d come up here to get some paperwork her aunt had asked for and to tactfully avoid being around while the lawyer was visiting. I’m not sure how much of this was from what she actually saw and how much is what people told her. There were a handful of people waiting for the shuttle. Right here, I assume. Pete and HawkHunter ran into each other—Pete coming out, HawkHunter going in. They talked for a few minutes, then their voices got louder and angrier, and suddenly Pete threw a punch that caught HawkHunter right in the chops. Pete spun around and walked off before HawkHunter could even get up. A couple of the people waiting for the shuttle helped him to his feet and tried to tend to his injuries, but he refused—quite nastily, I believe—to let anyone do anything for him. Some talk about the patronizing charity of whites. He stomped off in the other direction. That’s the gist of it.“
    “Was he hurt badly?“
    Shelley shook her head. “Apparently not. Dr. Lucke was out here and told Tenny that HawkHunter had a tooth knocked out and a bloody lip and that was about all. Dr. Lucke offered to take a look and recommended immediate treatment—well, he is a dentist, after all—but HawkHunter brushed him off and wouldn’t even let him look at his mouth.“
    “What did the argument sound like it was about?“
    A family, all togged out in matching ski outfits and looking like a set of Russian nesting dolls, was approaching so Shelley fell silent until they’d passed with the sort of cheerful greetings people normally employ only while on vacation.
    When they’d gone inside, she answered. “Tenny said it was an all-purpose slanging match. HawkHunter said something critical of Bill, and Pete said couldn’t the family be left alone to grieve in peace, and HawkHunter said something about respecting the Indian dead, and Pete said something else about his uncle dying so recently. Then HawkHunter launched into a tirade about the racism of it all.“
    “Huh?“
    “That all the Indian dead on the top of the hill didn’t matter so long as the greedy white man got his money. That members of the