Page 1 of Deadly Peril

Chapter 1

Jana Tomasson crumpled the threatening letter and pressed it to her chest, then gazed at the pine trees outside her window. The recent snow covered the ground, turning it into a white blanket. Another inch was predicted, which was common for early November in Soda Springs, along with the rest of the Lake Tahoe resort areas.

The outdoors was breathtakingly beautiful. Although Jana had lived there most of her life, the scene captured her senses. Snow sports were her passion, with the biathlon at the top of her list. Cross-country skiing was more of a thrill when combined with rifle shooting.

The winter sport had captured her heart from a young age, when she’d learned to use a rifle. She’d conquered the skill, then participated in local biathlons. The event took strength and skill. It was a cross-country race with periodic interruptions to shoot a .22-caliber rifle at a target.

From her upstairs bedroom, the snow beckoned. Since it was her day off from her ski equipment shop, there was no reason not to give in. Her best friend was on the way to pick her up for a cross-country workout on one of the many trails.

But Jana was worried, and not about the brisk temperatures on the mountainside. It was more personal. The letter in her closed fist wasn’t the first she’d received. Surely, it was a prank, because no one was out to get her. That was a ridiculous notion.

Yet there had been a few texts, also. That meant someone who knew her phone number got a kick out of harassing her, which was annoying. Why couldn’t the person face her? Whatever had incited their antagonism could surely be handled.

Jana turned to look at her messy bed. She hadn’t slept well. It was difficult to put aside the intimidation of the threats. But that made her madder. She was fit and athletic, plus a sharpshooter. Whoever it was had better think twice before continuing the unacceptable behavior.

Forgetting about the unmade bed, Jana padded across the warm wood floor in bare feet. She loved the elaborate ski chalet she called home—if over four thousand square feet of space could be called a chalet.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she needed to eat breakfast. Cross-country burned huge amounts of calories, even when she wasn’t preparing for a competition. She changed into her ski pants and sweater, then grabbed a scarf. Her boots and parka were downstairs.

She took the stairs two at a time. The kitchen was on the lower floor, so the smell of bacon wafted up to her. Add some pancakes with blueberries and syrup to that and she’d have the energy to attack the snowy mountain.

The walls of the wooden house were lined with windows that let the outside in. Wherever Jana looked, she saw pine trees rising from the bank of snow. She itched to get out into it. A fire crackled in the stone fireplace, but there was no time to plop on the sofa to enjoy its warmth.

Rounding the corner, Jana saw her grandmother at the long table. “Good morning, Amma,” Jana said, calling her by the Icelandic term. She loved Eva, who’d raised her from the age of four, and her dear grandfather Kristofer.

But five years before, her grandfather had passed away from a heart condition. Jana still missed him, and the empty chair at the table made her heart ache.

Now it was just her grandmother, a woman who seemed like she’d live forever. She was tough, smart, and capable—everything that Jana aspired to be. Leaning over, she gave her grandmother a hug.

“I made your favorite pancakes,” her grandmother said.

Jana sat in the closest chair and began to consume the pancakes. “Mmm, I’m hungry.” She glanced up to see her grandmother smiling at her.

Eva Tomasson was over the age of seventy but looked much younger. Her blond hair and green eyes were as lovely as ever. She dressed well and exercised to stay in shape. Her many friends in the community kept her busy, and in her spare time she read or cooked.

“How did you sleep?” she said.

Jana shrugged. “Uh…fine.” She wasn’t about to share her distress, because there was another thing about her grandmother: she was bossy and tended to take charge. Usually, it wasn’t an issue, since Jana was an adult with her own life.

Fortunately, Eva lived in the suite of rooms on the lower level. In effect, she lived on her own. Although they met for meals when Jana was at home. But it was wise to keep some things to herself.

Eva was protective of her granddaughter, overly so, in Jana’s estimation. It was understandable, since she’d raised Jana and now they were on their own, without even Grandfather to look after them. But it was important to draw the line somewhere.

If Jana confided about the letters and texts—or worse, shared her fear—Eva would take extreme measures. More extreme than Jana was prepared for. She tried to convince herself that the whole thing was harmless. Since that was all that made sense, she’d stick with it.

Her grandmother wouldn’t see it that way. Rest assured, she’d make a big deal about it, which would compound Jana’s anxiety. It was best to keep quiet. The issue would pass soon, then Jana could forget about it.

But it wasn’t going to be that simple; it usually wasn’t. “You have circles under your eyes,” her grandmother said. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Jana rolled her eyes.

“I’m just asking.”

“You worry too much.” Jana patted her arm.

“I don’t worry enough.” Her grandmother sipped her tea. “You’re a headstrong one, you always have been. Someone has to worry about you.”

“Okay, you worry, then.” Jana stood and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “I’m going skiing.”