Jeff put his arms around her as Rachel burst into tears.
There were no direct flights from Washington, D.C., to Aspen. Dana boarded a Delta Airlines flight to Denver, where she changed to a United Express plane. Later, she had no memory of the journey. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Rachel and the torment she must be going through. I’m glad that Jeff will be there to make it easier for her. And Dana was worried about Kemal. What if Mrs. Daley quits before I come back? I have—
The flight attendant’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “We will be landing in Aspen in just a few minutes. Please see that your seat belt is fastened and return your seat back to the upright position.”
Dana began to concentrate on what lay ahead of her.
Elliot Cromwell walked into Matt Baker’s office.
“I understand Dana’s not doing the broadcasts tonight.”
“That’s right. She’s in Aspen.”
“Following up on her Taylor Winthrop theory?”
“Yeah.”
“I want you to keep me informed.”
“Right.” Matt watched Cromwell leave and thought, He’s really taken an interest in Dana.
When Dana disembarked, she headed for the car-rental counter. Inside the terminal, Dr. Carl Ramsey was saying to the clerk behind the counter, “But I reserved a car a week ago.”
The clerk said apologetically, “I know, Dr. Ramsey, but I’m afraid there’s been a mix-up. We don’t have a single car available. There’s an airport bus outside, or I can call a taxi for—”
“Never mind,” the doctor said, and stormed out.
Dana entered the airport lobby and walked up to the rental desk. “I have a reservation,” she said. “Dana Evans.”
The clerk smiled. “Yes, Miss Evans. We’ve been expecting you.” He gave her a form to sign and handed her some keys. “It’s a white Lexus in parking space one.”
“Thank you. Can you tell me how to get to the Little Nell Hotel?”
“You can’t miss it. It’s right in the middle of town. Six-seventy-five East Durant Avenue. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Thank you,” Dana said.
The clerk watched her walk out the door. What the hell is going on? he wondered.
The Little Nell Hotel was built in an elegant chalet style, nestled at the base of the picturesque Aspen mountains. The lobby had a floor-to-ceiling fireplace with a cheery fire constantly burning in the winter, and large windows with views of the snowcapped Rockies. Guests in ski clothes were sitting around on couches and oversize chairs, relaxing. Dana looked around and thought, Jeff would love this. Maybe we’ll come up here…
When Dana had finished signing in, she said to the clerk, “Do you happen to know where the Taylor Winthrop home is?”
He looked at her strangely. “The Taylor Winthrop home? It’s not there anymore. It burned to the ground.”
Dana said, “I know. I just wanted to see—”
“There’s nothing up there now but a lot of ashes, but if you want to see it, you go out east to Conundrum Creek Valley. That’s about six miles from here.”
“Thank you,” Dana said. “Would you have my bags taken to my room, please?”
“Certainly, Miss Evans.”
Dana headed back to the car.
The site of the Taylor Winthrop home in Conundrum Creek Valley was surrounded by National Forest lands. The house had been a one-story dwelling made of native stone and redwood, set in a lovely, secluded location with a large beaver pond and a creek running through the property. The view was spectacular. And in the midst of all that beauty, like an obscene scar, were the burned-out remnants of the house in which two people had died.
Dana strolled around the grounds, visualizing what had once been there. It had obviously been a very large one-story house. There must have been many doors and windows at ground level.
And yet the Winthrops had not been able to escape through any of them. I think I’d better visit the fire department.
As Dana walked into the fire station, a man approached her. He was in his thirties, tall, tan, and athletic looking. He probably lives on the ski slopes, Dana thought.
“Can I help you, ma’am?”