Cambridge English Readers

...............................................................
Level 2

Series editor: Philip Prowse

Dead Cold
Sue Leather

Contents

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

A body
Pine Crest
The Mountain Hotel
A talk with Jeff
Looking for reasons
A movie star
A visit to Redridge
Dangerous days
A lot to lose
The Big Boss

People in the story

Flick Laine: a detective in the Denver Police
Leo Cohn: Chief of Denver Police Flicks boss
Bill Gershon: Chief of Pine Crest Police
Teresa Douglas and Jeff Mason: students from Texas
Susan Hunter: a movie star

6
10
16
20
27
31
36
40
43
46

Chapter 1

A body

Capitulo1

Un Cuerpo

In January they found the girls body.

En enero encontraron el cuerpo de la chica.

They found it in Pine Crest. Pine Crest is a small town

Lo encontraron en Pine Crest. Pine Crest es una pequea ciudad

about 90 miles from Denver, in the Rocky Mountains. In the

a unos 90 kilmetros de Denver, en las Montaas Rocosas. En el

past it was famous for silver and gold. But now its a place
pasado era famosa por la plata y el oro. Pero ahora es un lugar

where people go on vacation; they ski there in the winter

donde la gente va de vacaciones; ellos esquan all en invierno

and walk in the mountains in the summer. Movie stars

y caminan en las montaas en el verano. Las estrellas de cine

have homes there. Its beautiful and its quiet when the snow
tienen casas all. Es hermoso y tranquilo cuando la nieve

falls. And the snow falls a lot in the winter. Pine Crest isnt
cae. Y la nieve cae mucho en el invierno. Pine Crest normalmente

usually the kind of place you find a dead body. Denvers the
no es el tipo de lugar en el que encuentres un cadver. Denver es el

place for that, not Pine Crest.

el lugar para eso, no Pine Crest.

Oh, of course sometimes there are skiing accidents, like in all ski
Oh, por supuesto, a veces hay accidentes de esqu, como en todas las estaciones

resorts. I remember that a young man died about three years ago. He
de esqu. Recuerdo que un joven muri hace unos tres aos. El estaba

was skiing too fast and he went into a tree. Its sad, but it happens.
esquiando demasiado rpido y se meti en un rbol. Es triste, pero ocurre.

But murder killing someone well, thats different.

Pero el asesinato- matar a alguien - bueno, eso es diferente.

So that January morning my boss, Leo Cohn, Chief of the Denver

As que en la maana de enero mi jefe, Leo Cohn, Jefe de la Polica de Denver

Police, called me into his office.

me llam a su oficina.

Girls body in Pine Crest, Flick, said Leo. Leo was thin and
"El cuerpo de la chica en Pine Crest, Flick," dijo Leo. Leo era delgado

worked too much. He never sat down. Now, he was standing

y trabajo demasiado. l nunca se sent. Ahora, l estaba de pie

near his desk. They found her yesterday.

cerca de su escritorio. "encontraron su ayer.''

Oh? I said.
'Oh?', me dijo.

It looks like someone killed her, he said. I didnt say

"Parece que alguien la mat", dijo. Yo no dije

anything. Murder, he said, as if I didnt understand. I waited. He

nada. "asesinato", afirm, como si yo no entendiera. He esperado. l

didnt look at me. Then he said, I want you to go to Pine Crest.

l no me mira. Entonces l dijo, "Quiero que vayas a Pine Crest.'

Ha! I said. So thats what you want. But Leo, why me? Its too
"Ha!" dije. "Eso es lo que quieres. Pero Leo, por qu yo? es demasiado

soon. It was just two months ago I cant! Flick, youre the best,
pronto. Fue hace slo dos meses ... No puedo!' 'Flick, eres el mejor",

he said, and you need to get out of Denver its the best thing.
dijo, "y necesitas salir de Denver ... es lo mejor."

Listen, Leo I started, but I stopped. Leo looked me in the eyes.

"Escucha, Leo ..." Comenc, pero me detuve. Leo me mir a los ojos.

Come on, Flick. Bill Gershon, the Chief of Police there, is an old
"Venga, Flick. Bill Gershon, el Jefe de la polica all, es un viejo

friend of mine. Hes not happy. If its murder, its bad for business.
viejo amigo mo. l no est feliz. Si es asesinato, es malo para los negocios.

No-one wants to ski when theres a killer about.

Nadie quiere esquiar cuando hay un asesino alrededor.'

Well, yeah, I thought, as I looked out of Leos window at the city, a

Pues bien, s, yo pens, mientras miraba por la ventana de Leo a la ciudad, un

dead body was bad for business. I knew Pine Crest. I used to go skiing
cuerpo muerto era malo para los negocios. Yo conoc Pine Crest. Yo sola ir a esquiar

there on the weekends. The town made its money from the thousands
all durante los fines de semana. La ciudad hizo su dinero de los miles

of visitors who went there every year. The restaurants, cafs, hotels,
de visitantes que acudan cada ao. Los restaurantes, cafs, hoteles,

ski school, all made money from the people who went to beautiful
escuela de esqu, todos hicieron dinero de la gente que fue a la bella

Pine Crest for their vacation.

Pine Crest para sus vacaciones.

And the girl? I asked. Was she a visitor?

"y la chica?", le pregunt. "Ella era una visitante?'

Leo smiled. He could see that I was interested. Yes, he said. She
Leo sonri. l poda ver que yo estaba interesada. "S," dijo. "Ella

was there on a skiing vacation with some friends from college.

estaba all en unas vacaciones de sky con algunos amigos de la universidad.

Someone found her in the swimming pool at the hotel where she was
Alguien la encontr en la piscina del hotel donde se

staying.
alojaba.'

She died in the swimming pool? I asked. I mean Looks like

'muri en la piscina?", le pregunt. "Quiero decir ..." "Parece como

somebody drowned her, Leo said. I looked at him.

si alguien la ahog ," dijo Leo. Lo mire.

She was twenty-three years old, Leo said softly. And? I asked.
"ella tena veintitrs aos," dijo Leo suavemente. "Y?", le pregunt.

Youll get what you need from Gershon, said Leo. I got up to leave.
"Obtendrs lo que necesitas de Gersn," dijo Leo. Me levant para salir.

Oh, and Flick said Leo. I turned at the door.

"Oh, y Flick ..." dijo Leo. Me volv la puerta.

I want you to get this one and I want you to get it fast, he said.
"Quiero que cogas esto y quiero que lo cogas rpido", dijo.

First because itll make the Denver Police Department look

"En primer lugar porque har que el Departamento de Polica de Denver se vea

good. And we need that.

bien. Y necesitamos eso."

And second because you think its good for me to get out of the office
"y en segundo lugar porque piensas que es bueno para m para salir de la oficina

and back to work? I said.

Y regresar al trabajo?', dije.

Leo didnt say anything, but it was true. He was helping me in his
Leo no digo nada, pero es cierto. l me estaba ayudando a su

way.
manera.

OK, Leo, I said, but remember, it was just November, just two
'OK, Leo," dije, "pero recuerde, fue solo noviembre, hace apenas dos

months ago that Scott

meses ... que Scott ..."

Yeah, yeah, I know. But Flick, Scotts dead, said Leo. His voice was
"S, s, lo s. Pero Flick, Scott est muerto," dijo Leo. Su voz era

kind, but strong. And youve got to live.

amable pero firme. "y tienes que vivir."

He turned away from me and looked out of the window. Leo was
l se apart de m y mir por la ventana. Leo haba

finished.
terminado.

I walked to my office to get the things I needed for a few days out of
Camin a mi oficina para conseguir las cosas que necesitaba para unos das fuera

town: my notebook, cell phone and car keys. I thought about

de la ciudad: mi porttil, telfono celular y las llaves del coche. Pens en

November, thought about Scott. Detective Scott King of the Denver

noviembre, pens en Scott. Scott King detective de la Polica

Police. Then I took my gun and put it under my jacket.

de Denver. Entonces tom mi pistola y la puse debajo de mi chaqueta.

I went downstairs to the parking lot. Scott and I worked together for
Me baj al estacionamiento. Scott y yo trabajamos juntos durante cuatro

four years. We were the best, the best the Denver Police Department
aos. ramos los mejores, los mejor que el Departamento de Polica de Denver

had. We loved catching killers, robbers, all of Denvers criminals.

ha tenido. Nos encant atrapar a asesinos, ladrones, todos criminales de Denver.

But we were more than that, we were friends too. Scott was my best
Pero eramos ms que eso, ramos amigos tambin. Scott fue mi mejor

friend. Then one stupid, cold day in November, Eddie Lang killed
amigo. luego, un estpido, da fro en noviembre, Eddie Lang mat a

Scott. And I saw my best friend die.

Scott. Y vi a mi mejor amigo morir.

Yeah, I thought, Scotts dead and Ive got to live. Most days it was
"S", pens, 'Scott est muerto y tengo que vivir." La mayora de los das eran

difficult.
dificiles.

I shook my head and Scotts face went away. I took my keys out of
Sacud mi cabeza y la cara de Scott se march. Tom mis llaves fuera del

the pocket of my jacket and looked at the most beautiful car in the
bolsillo de mi chaqueta y mir el coche ms bello del

world, my red 1957 Chevrolet. My Chevy. I smiled. That car always

mundo, mi Chevrolet rojo de 1957. Mi Chevy. Sonre. Ese coche siempre

made me smile. Some days it felt like it was the only good thing in
me hizo sonrer. Algunos das pareca que era lo nico bueno en

my life.
mi vida.

I drove home fast to my apartment on Alameda, went in and packed

Conduje a casa rpido a mi apartamento en la Alameda, entre y empaque en

a bag. I changed into my blue suit and looked at myself in the mirror
una bolsa. Me cambie mi traje azul y me mire en el espejo

in the bathroom. I looked OK. I looked like I came from the big city. I
del bao. Me vi bien. Pareca que provena de la gran ciudad. Senti

felt my gun inside my jacket. I was ready. Ready to find a killer

mi pistola dentro de mi chaqueta. Yo estaba lista. Preparada para encontrar un

without Scott.
asesino ... sin Scott.

Fifteen minutes later I was driving on I70 to Pine Crest, Colorado.

Quince minutos ms tarde estaba conduciendo por la I70 a Pine Crest, Colorado.

I was trying to forget about Scott. And I was trying to forget

Yo estaba tratando de olvidar a Scott. Y estaba tratando de olvidar

about Eddie Lang.

a Eddie Lang.

Chapter 2 Pine Crest

Captulo 2

Pine Crest

Scott King. Yeah, it was hard to forget. As I drove up into the

Scott King. S, era difcil de olvidar. Mientras conducia en las

Rocky Mountains pictures came into my head. The first time we

Montaas Rocosas imgenes vinieron a mi cabeza. La primera vez que

worked together, his smile, the things he said.

trabajamos juntos, su sonrisa, las cosas que l dijo.

Stop it, Flick! I said to myself. I turned on the car radio. It was
'Para, Flick!" Me dije a m misma. Encend la radio del coche. Era

an old country song.

una vieja cancin country.

Then the news came on. Good morning, listeners, said the
Luego lleg la noticia. Buenos dias, oyentes," dijo la

voice. Its ten oclock and heres the news. Police found a young
voz. "Es las diez y aqu estn las noticias. La polica encontr el cuerpo

womans body in a swimming pool at the Mountain Hotel in Pine

de una mujer joven en una piscina en el Mountain Hotel en Pine

Crest yesterday. The twenty-three-year-old was a visitor from

Crest ayer. La chica de 23 aos de edad, era una visitante de

Texas, in the town on a skiing vacation. Police believe it was

Texas, en la ciudad en unas vacaciones de sky. La polica cree que fue un

murder.
asesinato."

I turned the radio off. Scott came back to me. I thought about
apague la radio. Scott volvi a m. Pens en

the first time we worked together.

la primera vez que trabajamos juntos.

Flick? said Scott. Thats a funny name. We were in a police

'Flick?" dijo Scott. "Ese es un nombre divertido." Estbamos en un coche de

car in downtown Denver.

la Polica en el centro de Denver.

Well, my real names Felicity, I said. My dad liked it. There

"Bien, mi verdadero nombre es Felicity ", Dije. 'a mi papa le gust. Haba

was an English movie star called Felicity. At school everyone

una estrella de cine ingls llamado Felicity. En la escuela todo el mundo

thought it was very funny, so I became Flick.

pensaba que era muy divertido, as que me convirti en Flick.'

Flick Laine, he said.

'Flick Laine," dijo.

Yeah, good, dont you think? I said.

"S, bueno, no crees?" me dijo.

Yeah, Scott and Flick, he laughed. Denvers crime fighters!

"S, Scott y Flick", se ri. ' Combatientes del crimen de Denver !"

Hey, dont you mean Flick and Scott? I laughed. Scott and Flick,
"Hey, no quieres decir Flick y Scott?" Me re. Scott y Flick,

Flick and Scott.

Flick y Scott.

Now I looked at the road. I tried to think about the drive. The
Ahora mir el camino. He intentado pensar en la unidad. La

road was at 7,000 feet already. But it was a beautiful day

carretera estaba a 7.000 pies ya. Pero era un hermoso da

in the Rockies. Really beautiful. The sky was clear blue and you
en las Montaas Rocosas. Realmente hermoso. El cielo estaba azul claro y

could see for miles.

Se podia ver por millas.

But I couldnt stop thinking about Scott. I thought about the day
Pero yo no poda dejar de pensar en Scott. Pens en el da

he died, in November, just two months ago. The day we went

que muri, en noviembre, hace apenas dos meses. El da que fuimos a

looking for Eddie Lang, one of Denvers worst criminals. He

buscar a Eddie Lang, uno de los peores criminales de Denver. l

killed people for money. But we were on to him. We knew

mat a la gente por dinero. Pero lo tenamos. Sabamos

where he was.
dnde estaba.

We were in an old, dark house. We knew that Eddie Lang and

Estbamos en una vieja casa oscura. Sabamos que Eddie Lang y

his men were there.

sus hombres estaban all.

10

Dont worry, Scott, Im behind you, I said quietly.

"No te preocupes, Scott, estoy detrs de ti," dije tranquilamente.

I could see Scott in front of me. It was dark, but I could just see
Yo poda ver a Scott en frente de m. Estaba oscuro, pero yo slo poda

him. Suddenly I heard a loud noise. A gun. Then Scott was down
verlo. De repente, o un ruido muy fuerte. Una pistola. Luego, Scott cayo

on the dirty floor. His blood was everywhere.

hacia el piso sucio. Su sangre estaba por todas partes.

I ran outside quickly and called the police station. A few minutes
Corr hacia fuera rpidamente y llamaron a la comisara. Unos minutos

later more police officers arrived. But Scott was dead. Scott was
ms tarde llegaron ms agentes de polica. Pero Scott estaba muerto. Scott

dead and Eddie Lang and his men were gone. They were gone,
estaba muerto y Eddie Lang y sus hombres haban desaparecido. Escaparon,

but I thought about Scott every day.

pero he pensado acerca de Scott cada da.

I went on driving. An hour later I drove into the parking lot of

Conduje . Una hora ms tarde conduje en el estacionamiento

Pine Crest police station.

de la comisara de Pine Crest.

Something told me that Bill Gershon, Chief of Pine Crest Police,

Algo me dijo que Bill Gershon, Jefe de Polica de Pine Crest,

wasnt happy to see me. So, he said, as I walked into his office,
no estaba feliz de verme. "Asi que," l dijo, mientras entr en su oficina,

Leo sent me a woman

'Leo me envi una mujer ..."

Yeah, arent you lucky? I said, smiling. Gershon didnt smile.

"S, no eres afortunado?" dije sonriendo. Gershon no sonri.

I sat down. There were still men in the police who thought that
Me sent. Todava quedaban hombres en la polica, que pensaban que

women police officers and murder didnt go together. It looked

las mujeres policas y un asesinato no van juntos. Pareca

like Gershon was one of those men.

como que Gersn fue uno de aquellos hombres.

11

We dont often have murders in Pine Crest, he said.

"Nosotros no solemos tener asesinatos en Pine Crest", afirm.

I looked at Gershon. He was a round person: round body, round

Mir a Gershon. l era una persona redonda: cuerpo redondo, cara

face, round glasses. About fifty, fifty-five maybe, with almost no

redonda, gafas redondas. Unos cincuenta, cincuenta y cinco quizs, casi sin

hair. Then I looked around at his office. Yeah, I thought, parking

pelo. Entonces mir alrededor en su oficina. S, pens, tickets de

tickets, not murder.

aparcamiento, no asesines.

Listen, I said. Why dont we make this easy? Just tell me what I
"escucha", Dije. Por qu no hacemos esto ms fcil? Slo dime lo que

need to know.
necesito saber."

The Chief of Police said nothing for a moment or two, and then
El jefe de polica no dijo nada por un momento o dos, y luego

went on. Janine Anderson was her name. A student from Austin,
continu. "Janine Anderson era su nombre. Un estudiante de Austin,

Texas. She wanted to write for a newspaper to be a journalist.

Texas. Ella quera escribir para un peridico- para ser periodista

This is about her. He pushed some papers towards me.

Esto es acerca de ella." l empuj algunos papeles hacia m.

12

I looked at the papers. There wasnt much. Her name, her parents
Mir los documentos. No hubo mucho. Su nombre, los nombres de

names. A student of journalism at the University of Texas, Austin.

sus padres. Un estudiante de periodismo de la Universidad de Texas, Austin.

Cause of death: drowning.

Causa de muerte: ahogamiento.

Her parents were in Europe on vacation. Gershon shook his head

"Sus padres estaban de vacaciones en Europa.' Gersn sacudi la cabeza

sadly and said: Theyre coming back today. Coffee?

tristemente y dijo: 'Ellos estn volviendo hoy. Caf?"

It wasnt much, but it was a start.

No fue mucho, pero es un comienzo.

Who found her? I asked, drinking the hot black coffee. Her
"Quien la encontr?", le pregunt, bebiendo el caf negro caliente."Su

friend, Teresa Douglas, said Gershon. They were

amiga, Teresa Douglas,' dijo Gershon. "Ellos estaban

staying at the Mountain Hotel.

alojados en el Mountain Hotel."

The Mountain Hotel was in Pine Crest. A lot of skiers stayed

El Mountain Hotel estaba en Pine Crest. Un montn de esquiadores alojados

there. They skied all day, Gershon went on. Janine went to the
all. "Ellos esquian todo el da", Gershon pas. "Janine fue a la

swimming pool at about nine oclock. The pool is on the top floor
piscina cerca de las 9 en punto. La piscina est en la planta superior

of the hotel. She had to go upstairs and go outside. At eleven

del hotel. Ella tena que ir arriba y salir. A las once

oclock the Douglas girl went up to look for Janine. She found
en punto, la novia de Douglas subi a buscar a Janine. Ella la encontr

her in the swimming pool.

en la piscina.',

Dead? I asked.
'muerta?", le pregunt.

Yes, said Gershon. Teresa Douglas tried mouth-to- mouth.

'S,' dijo Gershon. "Teresa Douglas intento respiracin de boca-a-boca.

Then we had a 9-1-1 call at about eleven-fifteen. We were there

Luego tuvimos que llamar al 911 en aproximadamente 11-15. Estuvimos ah

five minutes later. Janine was dead.

cinco minutos ms tarde. Janine estaba muerta.

13

Did Janine have other friends here? I asked.

'Janine tena otros amigos aqu?", le pregunt.

Yes. Apart from the Douglas girl, theres a guy Jeff Mason,
"S. Aparte de la chica de Douglas, hay un muchacho - Jeff Mason",

said the Chief of Police. Theyre students in Austin. Anything on

dijo el jefe de la polica. "Son estudiantes en Austin.' 'Nada en

the body? I asked. I wanted to know if there

el cuerpo?", le pregunt. Queria saber si hubo

was a fight before Janine died.

una pelea antes de que Janine muriera.

On the back of her neck, said Gershon. It looks like maybe

"En la parte de atrs de su cuello,' dice Gershon. "Parece como que

somebody just put her head under the water and drowned her.
alguien puso su cabeza bajo el agua y la ahog."

Well, we dont know that yet, I said.

"Bueno, no sabemos todava," dije.

This is terrible! said Gershon. Governor Johnson is visiting Pine

"Esto es terrible!" dijo Gershon. "El Gobernador Johnson est visitando Pine

Crest soon. A murder is the last thing we need!

Crest pronto. Un asesinato es la ltima cosa que necesitamos!'

Clark Johnson was the Governor of Colorado and everyone

Clark Johnson fue el gobernador de Colorado y todo el mundo

said he was the next President of the United States. He lived near
decia que l era el prximo Presidente de los Estados Unidos. Vivi cerca

Pine Crest.
de Pine Crest.

I looked at Gershon. He wasnt thinking about the dead girl. He

Mir a Gershon. l no estaba pensando en la chica muerta. Estaba

was thinking about the bad news, I thought

pensando en la mala noticia, pens.

.I finished my coffee and stood up. OK, Im going, I said. Heres

Termin mi caf y me levant. 'ok, voy", dije. "Aqu est

my cell phone number. I wrote down my number and gave it to

mi nmero de telfono celular." Le escrib mi nmero y se lo di a

Gershon. Im staying at the Pine Lodge Hotel.

Gershon. "Me quedar en el Pine Lodge Hotel.'

14

Gershon came to the door with me. He still didnt smile. Listen, I
Gershon, vino a la puerta conmigo. l todava no sonreia."Escuchar", yo

said. Maybe you dont like it, but we have to work together.
dije 'Maybe no te gusta, pero tenemos que trabajar juntos.

If this is murder, we have to find this killer before he, or she,

Si esto es un asesinato, tenemos que encontrar a este asesino antes de que l

kills again. I looked at Gershon and walked away.

o ella, mate nuevamente.' mir a Gersn y me aleje.

Great, I thought, just what I need a Chief of Police who doesnt

Genial, pens, justo lo que necesita: un jefe de polica que no

want to work with me. I went back to my car, took out my

quiere trabajar conmigo. Regres a mi coche, saqu mi

winter coat and put it on. It was cold here, much colder than
abrigo y me lo puse . Haca fro aqu, mucho ms fro que en

Denver. We were at 9,000 feet. But it was a beautiful, clear

Denver. Estbamos a 9.000 pies. Pero era un hermoso da claro,

day and there was a smell of wood smoke in the air. I walked
y haba un olor a humo de madera en el aire. Camin

down the road to the Mountain Hotel.

por la carretera hasta el Hotel de Montaa.

I looked at the town. It was a pretty place. Behind the small

Mir a la ciudad. Era un bonito lugar. Detrs de las pequeas

houses were the big houses of the famous people who lived in
casas estaban las casas grandes de la gente famosa que vivi en

Pine Crest. Lots of movie stars and famous sports people had
Pine Crest. Muchas estrellas de cine y deportistas famosos tenan

homes there. Sometimes you saw them on the ski runs, in the stores
casas all. A veces se les vio en las pistas de esqu, en las tiendas

or in the more expensive restaurants in the town. I looked up to

o en los ms caros restaurantes de la ciudad. Mir hacia

the snow-covered mountains. I could see ski runs everywhere,

a las montaas cubiertas de nieve. Pude ver pistas de esqu en todas partes,

but there were only a few people moving down the mountain. It
pero slo haba unas pocas personas desplazndose por la montaa.

was a beautiful day for skiing, cold and clear. But no-one wanted to
era un hermoso da para esquiar, fra y clara. Pero nadie quera

15

ski. They thought that there was a killer free in the town.
esquiar. Ellos pensaban que habia un asesino libre en la ciudad.

16

Chapter 3
Captulo 3

The Mountain Hotel

El Mountain Hotel

Then I saw the Mountain Hotel. I walked into the hotel and
Entonces vi el Mountain Hotel . Entr en el hotel y

looked over to the bar. There was a fire; it was warm and
mire hacia el bar. Haba fuego ; era clido y

comfortable. It looked nice, I thought.

confortable. Se vea bonito, pens.

Janine Andersons friends, Teresa Douglas and Jeff Mason,

Los amigos de Janine Anderson, Teresa Douglas y Jeff Mason,

were in Room 203. They were about twenty-two,

estaban en la habitacin 203. Eran de unos 22,

twenty- three years old. They looked young, lost.

23 aos de edad. Se veian jovenes perdidos.

Its terrible, said Teresa. Her face was wet. She cried softly.
"Es terrible", dijo Teresa. Su rostro estaba mojado. Ella lloro suavemente.

Jeff sat down next to her on the bed and put his hand on her
Jeff se sent junto a ella en la cama y puso su mano sobre su

shoulder.
hombro.

I looked around at the room. It was Jeff s room. From the

Mir alrededor de la habitacin. Era la habitacin de Jeff. Desde la

window you could see a very high mountain, the one

ventana se poda ver una montaa muy alta, a la que

they called Snowpeak. There were clothes everywhere,

ellos llamaban Snowpeak. Hubo ropa por doquier,

ski boots under the window.

botas de esqu bajo la ventana.

We cant believe shes dead, maam. Its terrible, said Jeff.

"No podemos creer que est muerta, ma'am. Es terrible", dijo Jeff.

When he spoke I could hear that he came from Texas. He

Cuando l hablaba yo poda or que l vena de Texas. l

was a tall, blond young man, good-looking.

era un joven alto, rubio, de buen ver.

17

I understand, I said. Ill try to be quick, but I have to ask

"Entiendo", dije. "Tratare de ser rapida, pero tengo que hacer

some questions.
algunas preguntas."

Sure, said Jeff.

"Cierto", dijo Jeff.

It was eleven oclock, Teresa said, when I went to look for

"eran las siete en punto", Teresa dijo, "cuando fui a buscar

Janine.
Janine."

Teresa looked up at me. She had dark hair and very

Teresa me mir. Ella tena el cabello oscuro y

white skin.
la piel muy blanca.

You slept in the same room, you and Janine? I asked.

"Dormas en la misma habitacin, t y Janine?", le pregunt.

Yes, she answered, me and Janine in one room, Room

"S", ella respondi: 'Yo y Janine en una habitacin, la habitacin

309, and Jeff in this room.

309, y Jeff en esta sala."

I looked at the girl. I gave her time to tell her story. Janine went to
the
Mir a la chica. Le di tiempo para que cuente su historia. "Janine fu a la

swimming pool at about nine oclock.

a la piscina cerca de las nueve en punto.

I fell asleep at about ten-thirty. I was very tired; we skied the whole
Me qued dormida a eso de las 10:30. Yo estaba muy cansada; Esquiamos todo

day. But I woke up just before eleven oclock and saw that Janine
el da. Pero me despert justo antes de las once de la noche y vi que Janine

wasnt there. In her bed, I mean. So I got dressed and went up to the
no estaba all. En su cama, me refiero. Mientras me vest y sub al

top floor. It was really cold outside. I saw her in the swimming pool.
piso superior. Haca mucho fro fuera. La vi en la piscina.

Just on top of the water. The girl put her head in her hands. I cant
Flotando en el agua ." La chica puso su cabeza en sus manos. "No puedo

stop thinking about it, she said. She was quiet for a moment.
dejar de pensar en eso", dijo. Ella estuvo en silencio por un momento.

18

I jumped into the pool, she went on. I tried to pull her out of the
"salte a la piscina," ella continu. "Trate de sacarla del

water, but she was too heavy. I turned her over and put my mouth to
agua, pero ella era demasiado pesada. Gir sobre ella y puse mi boca a

hers, but it was no good. I knew it was no good. Teresa put her head
la suya, pero no funciono . Yo saba que no era bueno." Teresa puso su cabeza

in her hands again and cried.

en sus manos nuevamente y llor.

And there was no-one else around? I asked after a few minutes.
"y no haba nadie alrededor?', pregunt despus de unos pocos minutos.

I couldnt see anyone, she said. I shouted out and a hotel worker
"Yo no poda ver a nadie", dijo. "yo gritaba y un trabajador del hotel

heard me. He called the police.

me escuch. El llam a la polica.'

And was Janine a good swimmer? I asked.

'y Janine era un buena nadadora?", le pregunt.

19

Oh yes, maam, said Jeff. She was a great swimmer. Im sure that
"Oh s, ma'am", dijo Jeff. "Fue una gran nadadora. Estoy seguro de que

Janine didnt drown by herself.

que Janine no podra ahogarse.

And how long have you been here? I asked.

''y cunto tiempo has estado aqu?", le pregunt.

Almost ten days, said Jeff. We have to leave tomorrow. Classes start
"casi diez das", dijo Jeff. "Tenemos que salir maana. Las clases comienzan

next week.
la prxima semana."

And do you want to write for a newspaper, like Janine? I asked.

"Y Quieres escribir para un peridico, al igual que Janine?", le pregunt.

Yes, I do. I study journalism, said Jeff. His face went white.
"S, s quiero. Yo estudio periodismo," dijo Jeff. Su rostro se puso plido. "

Janine wanted so much to be a writer, he said. It was the thing she

Janine quera tanto ser una escritora", afirm. "Era lo que ella mas

wanted most in the world. And she was really good.

quera en el mundo. Y ella era realmente buena"

We know each other from the ski club, said Teresa. We all loved
"Nos conocemos desde el club de ski," dijo Teresa. 'A todos nos encantaba

skiing.
esquiar."

Is this your first time here in Pine Crest? I asked.

"Es esta tu primera vez aqu en Pine Crest?", le pregunt.

Mm, yes it is for us, said Jeff, but Janine knew it; she came here
'Mm, s lo es para nosotros", dijo Jeff, 'pero Janine ya conoca; ella venia aqu

every year. To ski, I mean. She was the one She said it was a lovely
cada ao. A esquiar, me refiero. Ella fue la nica ... Ella dijo que era un lugar

place. And its true. We were having a good time here.

encantador. Y es cierto. Estbamos pasando un buen rato aqu.

Did Janine know anyone here in Pine Crest? I asked. I mean, did
''Janine no conoci a nadie aqu en Pine Crest?", le pregunt. "Quiero decir, no

she see anyone while she was here a friend anyone?

vi a nadie mientras ella estaba aqu -un amigo - nadie?"

Teresa shook her head. I dont know, she said. I dont think so.
Teresa sacudi la cabeza. "No s", dijo ella. "No lo creo.

Just us, I think.

Slo nosotros, creo."

20

But she sometimes went off on her own alone? I asked. Like the
"Pero a veces sali en su cuenta - sola?", le pregunt. "Como la

night she died?

noche muri?"

Yes. Janine always went to the pool alone in the evenings,

"S. Janine siempre iba a la piscina sola en la noche,"

said Teresa. But she didnt talk about anyone. I dont think she
dijo Teresa. "Pero ella no hablaba de nadie. No creo que ella

knew anyone here. I think she just thought, or wrote in her

conoca a nadie aqu. Creo que ella pensaba, o escriba en su

notebook, and went swimming.

cuaderno, e iba a nadar.

Notebook? I asked.
''cuaderno?", le pregunt.

Yes, Janine wrote in her notebook every day, said Teresa. She
"S, Janine escribi en su cuaderno cada da," dijo Teresa."Ella

wrote about her day, about her thoughts, her feelings, I think. About
escriba de su da, sus pensamientos, sus sentimientos, creo. Sobre

things that happened to her, things she saw. Like Jeff said, she
las cosas que le pas a ella, cosas que vio. Como Jeff dijo, ella

wanted to be a writer. She liked to write.

que quera ser escritor. Le gustaba escribir."

And wheres her notebook now? I asked.

"Y dnde est su cuaderno ahora?", le pregunt.

Well said Teresa, in our room, I think. She always kept it next
"Bien ..." dijo Teresa, "en nuestra habitacin, creo. Ella siempre lo guardaba

to her bed. She liked to write when she woke up in the morning.
junto a su cama. Le gustaba escribir cuando se despertaba en la maana.

You know, her dreams and things. Do you think it could be Shall
T sabes, sus sueos y cosas. Piensa que podra ser ... Voy

I get it?
a cogerlo?"

We can all go, I said.

"Todos podemos ir", dije.

We all went upstairs to Room 309. It was the same as Jeff s room,
Todos fuimos a las escaleras hacia la habitacin 309. Era igual que la habitacin
de Jeff,

but with two beds. Teresa looked for the notebook.

pero con dos camas. Teresa mir para el cuaderno.

21

I cant find it, she said. It isnt here!

'No puedo encontrarlo," ella dijo. "No est aqu!"

It must be somewhere, said Jeff. Shall we help you look? Well,

"debe estar en algn lugar", dijo Jeff. 'Podemos ayudarte a buscar?" "Bueno,"

OK, said Teresa, but it isnt here. Really, it isnt. She

Ok, dijo Teresa, 'pero no est aqu. Realmente, no est. Ella

always kept it next to her bed!

siempre la guardaba junto a su cama!"

We looked everywhere in the room. But Teresa was right. Janines

Hemos mirado por toda la habitacin. Pero Teresa tena razn. El cuaderno

notebook was gone. Perhaps she took it with her to the swimming
de Janine desapareci. Quizs ella se lo llev con ella a la piscina

pool last night? I left the dead girls friends with some questions in
anoche? Deje a los amigos de la chica asesinada con algunas preguntas en

my head. Where was Janine Andersons notebook? Did Janine

mi cabeza. Dnde estaba el cuaderno de Janine Anderson? El asesino

Andersons killer take it? And if so, why?

De Janine lo tomo? y si es as, por qu?

22

Chapter 4 A talk with Jeff

Captulo 4

una charla con Jeff

I went upstairs to the swimming pool where Janine died. From

fui arriba a la piscina donde Janine muri. Desde

there you could see everything: the town and the mountains. Two of
all podas ver todo: la ciudad y las montaas. Dos de

Gershons men were there.

los hombres de Gersn estaban all.

Were you here last night? I asked the men.

"estaban aqu anoche?", les pregunt.

I was, Detective Laine, said one of them, a tall, big guy. The names
"Yo estaba, Detective Laine," dice uno de ellos, un tipo alto. "El nombre

Williams. Sergeant Bob Williams.

de Williams. El sargento Bob Williams.

And did you find anything? I asked. Just a pen, said Williams.
''y has encontrado algo?", le pregunt."Slo una pluma", dice Williams.

A pen? I said.
"Una pluma?" dije.

Yes, he said. I found a pen just here by the side of the pool.
"S," dijo. "He encontrado una pluma justo aqu al lado de la piscina

Theyre looking at it to see if it was the girls.

Estn mirndolo - para ver si era de la chica."

It looked like Janine Anderson really was writing in her notebook

Pareca que Janine Anderson realmente estuvo escribiendo en su cuaderno

last night, I thought. The pen was there, but where was the notebook?
anoche, pens. La pluma estaba all, pero dnde estaba el cuaderno?

OK. And one more thing, I said. Can you get to the swimming
'OK. Y una cosa ms," dije. "Se puede llegar a la piscina

pool without going through the hotel reception? Yes, said Williams.
sin pasar por la recepcin del hotel?" "S," dijo Williams.

You can go through the parking lot,

"Usted puede ir a travs de la zona de aparcamiento,

and the place they keep the skis, then into the elevator. And the
y al lugar donde guardan los esqus, luego en el ascensor.' 'y el

elevator brings you here? I asked.

ascensor le trae aqu?", le pregunt.

23

Thats right, he said.

"Eso es correcto", dijo.

No security cameras? I asked.

'No hay cmaras de seguridad?", le pregunt.

No, Williams said. I talked to the hotel manager and he told me they
"No," dijo Williams. "Habl con el gerente del hotel y me dijo que ellos

never had any problems.

nunca tuvieron ningn problema."

Until now, I thought, as I left the Mountain Hotel.

Hasta ahora, pens, al salir del Mountain Hotel.

I went outside into the street. On a wall there was an

Sal a la calle. En una pared haba un

advertisement. Governor to run for White House, it said.

anuncio. "El gobernador postulara para la Casa Blanca", deca.

There was a picture of Clark Johnson, the Governor of

Hubo una imagen de Clark Johnson, el gobernador de

Colorado. The elections for President were later in the year.

Colorado. Las elecciones para Presidente fueron ms tarde en el ao.

I looked back up to the top floor of the Mountain Hotel. I couldnt

Mir hacia atrs hasta el piso superior del Mountain Hotel. No pude

see the pool or Williams from here. But maybe from higher up?
ver la piscina o a Williams desde aqu. Pero quizs desde arriba?

I looked across the street and saw a restaurant called the Columbine.
Mir a travs de la calle y vi un restaurante llamado El Columbine.

You could sit outside at the top and I could see people at the little
Podas sentarte afuera en la parte superior y poda ver a la gente en las

tables. I went in and walked up the stairs.

mesitas. Me fui y camin por las escaleras.

I showed the young waiter my police badge. I looked over to the

Le mostr al joven camarero mi placa policial. He mirado en el

Mountain Hotel. I could see Sergeant Williams next to the pool.

Mountain Hotel. Pude ver al sargento Williams junto a la piscina.

What if? The killer could see Janine Anderson from here! He could
Qu pasa si...? El asesino pudo ver a Janine Anderson desde aqu! l pudo

sit here in the restaurant and wait, then just walk into the hotel.
sentarse aqu en el restaurante y esperar, luego simplemente entro al hotel.

24

Last night, I said to the waiter, did you see anything anyone
"Anoche", le dije al camarero, vistes algo ... alguien

strange?
extrao?

Strange? The young man thought for a moment. Mmm, he said,

''extrao?" El joven pens por un momento. 'mmm," dijo,

well, there was one man hes come here every night for the
"Bueno, hubo un hombre ... ha venido aqu cada noche durante los

past ten days. A slim guy, about thirty-five, always alone.

ltimos diez das. Un hombre delgado, de unos treinta y cinco, siempre solos.

Sits here for hours sometimes.

Se sienta aqu durante horas a veces.

And last night? I asked.

''y anoche?", le pregunt.

Last night, the waiter answered, I thought it was strange

"Anoche", el mesero contest, "Yo pens que era extrao,

25

because the man asked for coffee but he left before the coffee
porque el hombre pidi caf, pero sali antes de que el caf

came.
llegue."

He left without paying? I asked.

"Se fue sin pagar?", le pregunt.

No, no, said the waiter, he paid. He left some money on the table
'No, no', dice el camarero, 'el pag. Dej algo de dinero sobre la mesa

and just ran out.

y corri hacia fuera.

What time did he leave? I asked.

''A qu hora sali?", le pregunt.

Oh, I cant remember, Im sorry, said the waiter. We were busy last
"Oh, no puedo recordar, lo siento", dijo el camarero. "Estbamos ocupados

night, but we close at ten.

anoche, pero nos cerramos a las diez.

What time do the waiters leave? I asked. Oh, usually about ten" a qu hora los camareros salen?", le pregunt."Oh, generalmente cerca

thirty, he said.
De las diez y media", afirm.

So maybe the man just walked across the street, through the
As que tal vez el hombre solo cruzo la calle, a travs del

parking lot and into the hotel to kill Janine Anderson? And
aparcamiento y entro al hotel para matar a Janine Anderson? Y

no-one could see him from the Columbine because it was

nadie pudo verlo desde el Columbine porque estaba

closed. Was the man at the Columbine Janine Andersons

cerrado. Era el hombre del Columbine el asesino de Janine

killer?
Anderson?

I left the Columbine and walked back to the police station. I told
Dej el Columbine y regres a la estacin de polica. Le dije a

Gershon about the man at the Columbine. Get Sergeant

a Gersn sobre el hombre en el Columbine. 'Llegaremos a el sargento

Williams on to it, I said. We need to find that man. I got in my car

Williams," dije. "Tenemos que encontrar a ese hombre." Entre en mi coche

and drove to my hotel. The Pine Lodge Hotel was just half a
y fui a mi hotel. El Pine Lodge Hotel estaba a solo media

26

mile away from the Mountain Hotel. I usually stayed at the Pine
milla desde el Mountain Hotel. Normalmente me alojo en el Pine

Lodge when I came to Pine Crest for a skiing weekend. It was

Lodge cuando vengo a Pine Crest para un fin de semana de esqu. Era

a friendly place with nice, comfortable rooms.

un lugar agradable con bonitas y confortables habitaciones.

From the window of my room I looked out over the

Desde la ventana de mi habitacin, me mire hacia las

mountains. Then I opened my small suitcase, lay on my bed and

montaas. Entonces abr mi pequea maleta, me tendi en mi cama y

thought about what I knew.

pens acerca de lo que saba.

It was easy for the killer, I thought. Easy to watch Janine from the
Era fcil para el asesino, pens. Fcil de contemplar a Janine desde la

terrace of the Columbine. Easy to get to the swimming pool.

terraza del Columbine. Es fcil llegar a la piscina.

But why?
Pero, por qu?

I turned to the phone on the little table by the side of the bed.
Gir hacia el telfono en la mesita al lado de la cama.

I called Leo and told him what I knew so far.

Llam a Leo y le dije lo que yo saba hasta ahora.

Leo listened. Then he asked, Hows Bill Gershon?

Leo escucho. Luego, pregunt, "Cmo esta Bill Gershon? ''

Hes surprised Im a woman, I said. You didnt tell him

'l est sorprendido soy una mujer", dije. "T no le dijiste ...'

Leo laughed. I laughed too. We talked a little and then Leo said: Flick,
Leo sonri. Yo re tambin. Hablamos un poco y luego Leo dijo: 'Flick,

I have something to tell you.

tengo algo que decirte."

Yes? I said.
"S?" dije.

We found out something today about Eddie Lang and Scotts

"Descubrimos algo hoy sobre Eddie Lang y el asesino de

murder, said Leo.

Scott ", dijo Leo.

27

I sat up quickly and shouted: Eddie Lang! You mean you know we
Me sent rpidamente y grite: "Eddie Lang! Quieres decir que sabes como

can get him?

podemos atraparlo? "

Wait, said Leo. Not exactly, but I think were very near. Im coming
Espera', dijo Leo. "No exactamente, pero creo que estamos muy cerca."

back, I said. I need to be there.

" Regresare", dije . "Necesito estar all."

No, said Leo. You stay right where you are. Well get Eddie
"No," dijo Leo. 'Qudate all donde estas. Nosotros atraparemos a Eddie

Lang. You get Janine Andersons killer.

Lang. Tu atrapa al asesino de Janine Anderson."

I felt weak. I said goodbye to Leo, put the phone down and lay
Me senta dbil. Me desped de Leo, colgu el telfono y me acost

down again. It was only three oclock in the afternoon, but I felt
otra vez. Eran slo las tres de la tarde, pero me senta

tired and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, I was asleep. I dreamed
cansada y cerr mis ojos. Antes de saberlo, estaba dormida. So

about Scott, like I often did. I dreamed about his blood on the
con Scott, como a menudo lo haca. So con su sangre en el

floor.
piso.

Then a noise woke me. It was the phone. Hello, I said. My voice was
Luego, un ruido me despert. Era el telfono. 'hola', dije. Mi voz estaba

heavy with sleep. Detective Laine?

pesada con el sueo. 'Detective Laine?"

Yes, who is it? I asked.

"S, quin es?", le pregunt.

Its Jeff Mason Janines friend, said the young man.

"es Jeff Mason amigo de Janine", dijo el joven.

I have to talk to you. OK Jeff, sure, I said. Come over.

"Tengo que hablar con usted." "OK, Jeff, seguro," dije. "Ven aqui."

I got up and took a shower. I tried to wake up, tried to forget

Me levant y tom una ducha. Intente levantarme, intente olvidar

Scotts blood on the floor. The redness of it. I let the water fall over
la sangre de Scott sobre el suelo. El enrojecimiento de la misma. Deje que el

my body. It was warm and it felt good. Scott was dead, but the
agua caiga sobre mi cuerpo. Estaba caliente y se senta bien. Scott estaba muerto,

28

water felt good. Ten minutes later Jeff arrived. I went down to
pero el agua se sinti bien. Diez minutos ms tarde Jeff lleg. Baj a

Reception to see him. We sat by the fire.

recepcin para verlo. Nos sentamos junto al fuego.

What is it? I asked.

"Qu es?", le pregunt.

The young man looked at me. Well, maybe its nothing, but he
El joven me mir. 'Bueno, quiz no es nada, pero ..."

started. I could see that he really wanted to talk.

comenz. Yo poda ver que l realmente quera hablar.

Well, I said, its best to tell me if you think its important.

"Bien," dije, "es mejor que me diga si piensa que es importante."

Its about the notebook, he said.

"Es sobre el cuaderno", l dijo.

The notebook? I asked. Do you have it?

"El cuaderno?", le pregunt. "T lo tienes?"

No, he said. No, its just that Well, you know that Janine was
"No," dijo. "No, es slo que ... Bien, usted sabe que Janine estaba

studying to be a journalist?
estudiando para ser una periodista?"

Yes, like you, I said.

"S, como t", dije.

Well, I was thinking Jeff said. What is it? I asked.

"Bueno, yo estaba pensando ..." dijo Jeff. "Qu es?", le pregunt.

The thing is, he said, every year at our university we have a

"La cosa es", dijo, "cada ao en nuestra universidad tenemos una

competition.
competencia."

I dont understand, I said.

"No entiendo", dije.

Its a competition for students of journalism, he told me, in

'Es un concurso para estudiantes de periodismo," me dijo, "en

February. Its for the best story. You know, something new
febrero. Es la mejor historia. Ya sabes, algo nuevo...

something that no-one knows about.

algo que nadie conoce."

29

And? I asked.
"y?", le pregunt.

So the winner the one who writes the best story gets a big prize,
"El ganador - el que escribe la mejor historia - obtiene un gran premio",

he said, and Janine really wanted to win.

dijo, "y Janine realmente quera ganar."

And she was good I said.

"y ella era buena ..." dije.

The best. Jeff smiled. And she was working on something really big,
"La mejor". Jeff sonri. "y ella estaba trabajando en algo realmente grande,

Im sure.
estoy seguro."

How do you know? I asked.

"Cmo sabes?", le pregunt.

Well, I just know she was, he said. She was always writing in
"Bueno, slo s que ella estaba", afirm. "Siempre estaba escribiendo en

her notebook. I could see she was. It was something big. And Im
su cuaderno. Pude ver que estaba . Era algo grande. Y estoy

sure it was something about Pine Crest!

seguro de que era algo acerca de Pine Crest!"

Why do you think that? About Pine Crest, I mean? I asked.

"Por qu crees que eso? Acerca de Pine Crest?", le pregunt.

Well, you know she came here every year? Yes, I said.
"Bueno, usted sabe que vino aqu cada ao?" "S," dije.

I watched her, said Jeff. Well, you know, we were friends. And she
"La vi", dijo Jeff. "Bien, usted sabe, nosotros ramos amigos. Y ella

went to the library at least two afternoons in the last ten days, after
fue a la biblioteca, al menos, dos tardes en los ltimos diez das, despus

skiing. For books. She was trying to put the story together. Im sure
de esquiar. Por libros. Ella estaba tratando de juntar la historia. Estoy seguro

of it!
de eso!"

I thought about what he said. But she didnt show it to you?

he pensado acerca de lo que dijo. "Pero ella no le mostro a usted?",

I asked. Or talk to you about it?

le pregunt. "Ni hablarte de ello?"

Jeff smiled. No! he said. Im in the competition too. I dont know

Jeff sonri. 'No!', dijo. 'Estoy en la competencia tambin. No s

30

if it means anything that the notebook is gone.

si eso significa algo ... que el cuaderno est desaparecido."

Well, I smiled at him, its something.

"Bien," le sonre a l, 'es algo."

I looked out of the window. The mountains were soft and quiet.
Mir por la ventana. Las montaas eran suaves y tranquilas.

Why didnt you say something before? I asked him.

"Por qu no dijiste eso antes?", le pregunt.

I didnt think I mean I didnt think it could have anything to do

"Yo no creo ... Quiero decir, yo no creo que podra tener algo que ver

with it, said the young man. But maybe it does. And now the
con eso", dijo el joven. "Pero tal vez s. Y ahora el

notebooks gone.
el cuaderno est perdido.'

It was quiet for a moment. Then Jeff spoke. You know, Detective
Estaba tranquilo por un momento. Entonces, Jeff habl. "Usted sabe, Detective

Laine, he said, looking at me, its really terrible to lose someone close
Laine,' dijo, mirandome, 'es realmente terrible perder a alguien cercano

to you. I cant tell you how I feel I feel terrible.

A ti. No puedo decirle cmo me siento ... Me siento terrible.'

Yes, I said. I know.

"S", dije. "Yo s."

I looked at Jeff. He looked so young and so sad. I dont know why,

Mir a Jeff. l se vea tan joven y tan triste. No s por qu,

but I wanted to tell him about Scott. Perhaps it was because my

pero yo quera decirle acerca de Scott. Quizs era porque mi

dream was so close to me. Perhaps it was because Jeff had kind, blue
sueo estuvo tan cerca de m. Quizs era porque Jeff haba clase, ojos

eyes. Perhaps it was because Jeff s friend was dead too. I told him
azules. Quizs era porque la amiga de Jeff estaba muerta tambin. Le cont

the story. The story about Scott.

la historia. La historia de Scott.

We never caught him, I said. Eddie Lang, I mean. I never caught him.
"Nunca lo atrapamos," dije. "Eddie Lang, quiero decir. Yo nunca lo atrap.

I knew it was him. I knew he killed Scott. But

Supe que era l. Yo saba que l mat a Scott. Pero ..."

31

But you didnt have anything you couldnt show that it was him,
"Pero no si no tienes algo... no puedes demostrar que era l",

said Jeff. I understand. Yes, its difficult.

dijo Jeff. "Entiendo. S, es difcil."

Yeah, I said, standing up. Most days its difficult, and some days
"S," dije, ponindome de pie. 'La mayora de los das es difcil, y algunos das

are more difficult than others.

son ms difciles que otros."

So ? Jeff asked.
"Asi...?" Jeff pregunt.

So how do I live? I asked the question for him. Well, some days
"Entonces para que vivo?" le pregunte. "Bien, algunos das

I think why wasnt I there in front? Why didnt I die? Then some days
pienso por qu no estaba yo all delante? Por qu no mor? Luego de algunos

I think why didnt I stop Lang, stop him from shooting Scott?
das pienso por qu no pude detener a Lang, detenerlo de disparar a Scott?"

Jeff looked at me.

Jeff me mir.

But most days, I said, I think were going to get Eddie Lang!
"Pero la mayora de los das," digo, "creo que atraparemos a Eddie Lang!

One day, Eddie Lang will be in prison for a very long time!
Un da, Eddie Lang ser encarcelado por un tiempo muy largo!"

32

Chapter 5
Captulo 5

Looking for reasons

Buscando razones

That night at about nine-thirty Janine Andersons parents flew into

Esa noche alrededor de las nueve treinta los padres de Janine Anderson volaron

Denver International Airport. They were returning early from their

hasta el Aeropuerto Internacional de Denver. Volvan temprano de sus

holiday in Italy. A police car drove them to Pine Crest Hospital.

vacaciones en Italia. Un coche de la polica los llevo al hospital de Pine Crest.

They had to see their daughters body, to see that it really was
Tenan que ver el cuerpo de su hija, para ver que realmente era

Janine.
Janine.

The Andersons were staying at the Pine Lodge too, and late in the
Los Andersons se alojaron en el Pine Lodge tambien, y tarde en la

evening, at about eleven oclock, Bill Gershon brought them to the

noche, alrededor de las once de la noche, Bill Gersn les trajo hasta el

hotel. Im so sorry, I said to them. Ill try to make this quick.

hotel. "Lo siento mucho", le dije a ellos. "tratare de hacer esto de forma rpida."

Gene and Loretta Anderson were both forty to forty-five, wellGene y Loretta Anderson eran ambos de cuarenta a cuarenta y cinco, bien

dressed, rich Texans. Janines mother soon went to her room and
vestidos, Tejanos ricos. La madre de Janine pronto entr a su habitacin y

I talked to the father. Gene Anderson was a Texas oil man, a man
habl con el padre. Gene Anderson era un petrolero de Texas, un hombre

who was now very rich, but who started life on a farm, a ranch,
que era muy rico, pero ahora que empez su vida en una granja, un rancho,

near Houston.
cerca de Houston.

I just cant believe it, he said again and again. She was so young,
"No lo puedo creer", dijo una y otra vez. "Ella era tan joven,

so intelligent. Who did this, Detective Laine? Who killed my baby?

tan inteligente. Quien hizo esto, Detective Laine? Quin mat a mi beb?''

33

I dont know, Mr. Anderson, I said, but I am going to find out.

no s, Sr. Anderson," dije, "pero voy a averiguarlo."

I hope so, Detective Laine.

"Eso espero, Detective Laine.

I really hope so. But I need your help, Mr. Anderson,

Espero que s.' 'Pero necesito su ayuda, Sr. Anderson,"

I said. Anything I can do, he said.

dije. "Todo lo que pueda hacer," dijo.

Well, there is one thing, I said. She was studying to become a

"Bien, hay una cosa," dije. "Estaba estudiando para ser una

journalist, right?
periodista, verdad?

Thats right, he said, and she was an A student. He smiled for

''correcto', dijo, 'y ella era una estudiante "A"." l sonri por

the first time. She was a really good writer,

primera vez. "fue una muy buena escritora,"

he said. All her teachers said she could be a really good journalist
l dijo . "Todos sus maestros dijeron que ella podra ser una buena periodista

one day.
un da."

Gene Anderson tried to stop himself from crying. I waited for a few
Gene Anderson intento parar de llorar . Esper unos

minutes.
minutos.

Mr. Anderson, Janines friend Jeff told me that she was writing
'Sr. Anderson, el amigode Janine , Jeff me dijo que ella estaba escribiendo

something for a university competition, I said.

algo para un concurso de la universidad", dije.

Yes, said the dead girls father, and she really wanted to win. She
"S," dijo el padre de la chica muerta, "y realmente quera ganar. Ella

wanted to be a journalist more than anything in the world. And she

quera ser una periodista ms que nada en el mundo. Y ella

knew that it was a good start. She told me something about it at

saba que era un buen comienzo. Ella me dijo algo sobre eso en

Christmas.
Navidad."

Did she tell you what she was writing about? I asked.
"Ella le dijo sobre que estaba escribiendo?", le pregunt.

34

No, not really, maam, said Gene Anderson, but I think

"No, la verdad es que no, ma'am", dijo Gene Anderson, "pero creo

it was something big.

que era algo grande.'

I looked at Gene Anderson.

mir Gene Anderson.

He went on: Daddy, she told me, this storys so big its going to
Y continu: '"Pap", me dijo, "esta historia es tan grande que va a

get me the journalism prize and maybe somebody will go to prison

darme el premio de periodismo y tal vez alguien vaya a la crcel

for a very long time.

por mucho tiempo".

But she didnt tell you who the somebody was? I asked him.
''Pero ella no le dijo quin era el ?", le pregunt.

No, he said, she didnt. She was working on it, you know, getting
"No," dijo, "no lo hizo. Ella estaba trabajando en eso, usted sabe,

it right. Hey, youre not saying ?

acertar. Hey, no ests diciendo ...?"

Im not saying anything, Mr. Anderson, I replied. Nothing at all.

"No estoy diciendo nada, Sr. Anderson," le contest. "nada en absoluto".

The next morning I got up early and went out. It was very cold in
A la maana siguiente me levant temprano y sal. Haca mucho fro en

the early morning. The snow was hard and it was difficult to stay on
la maana temprano. La nieve estaba dura y era difcil permanecer en

your feet.
tus pies.

I thought again about what Gene Anderson told me. Somebody will
Volv a pensar en lo qu Gene Anderson me dijo. "Alguien

go to prison for a very long time, his daughter said to him. Who
va a ir a la crcel por mucho tiempo",le dijo su hija a l. Quien

35

was it? What was Janine writing about?

era? De quien estaba escribiendo Janine?

I looked for Pine Crest Town Library, the library where Janine
Buesque la Biblioteca Municipal de Pine Crest, la biblioteca donde Janine

Anderson went to study for her story. Then I saw a building with a
Anderson fue a estudiar para su historia. Entonces vi un edificio con un

big sign outside. It said: Books can change your life.

gran cartel exterior. Deca: "Los libros pueden cambiar tu vida."

I went into the library. The young woman at the desk had big hair
Entre a la biblioteca. La joven del mostrador tena el cabello grande

and a big smile. Good morning, can I help you? she said.
y una gran sonrisa. "Buenos das, puedo ayudarle?" ella dijo.

Yes, I said, and showed her my police badge. Detective Flick

"S," dije, y le mostr mi placa policial. 'Detective Flick

Laine, Denver Police Department. Its about the death of Janine

Laine, Departamento de Polica de Denver. Se trata de la muerte de Janine

Anderson.
Anderson."

She stopped smiling. Oh yes, poor girl its terrible. Did she
Ella dej de sonrer. "Oh s, pobre nia ... es terrible." "Ella

ever come here? I asked.

Alguna vez llego aqu?", le pregunt.

Yes, she did, said the young woman. She mostly wanted to look
at
"S, ella vino", dijo la joven. "Ella mayormente quera mirar pginas

pages from old newspapers.

de peridicos viejos."

She could take books and newspapers away? I asked.

"Ella poda llevarse los libros y peridicos ?", le pregunt.

She had a letter from her university, said the young

"tena una carta de su universidad", dijo la joven,

woman, so she could take newspapers and books out. She was a
"entonces ella poda llevarse los peridicos y libros. Ella era una

student, you know.

estudiante, usted sabe."

36

Yes, I said. Do you have a list of the newspapers and books she
"S", me dijo. "Usted tiene una lista de los peridicos y libros que ella

took?
tom?"

Oh yes, said the librarian. Would you like to see it? Yes, please,
"Oh s", dijo la bibliotecaria. "Le gustara verla ?" "S, por favor",

I said.
Dije.

The young woman turned to the computer in front of her. Here,

El joven giro el ordenador en frente de ella.'aqu',

She said. Have a look.

dijo. "Eche un vistazo."

First, there was the dead girls name and home address in Texas.
Primero, era el nombre y la direccin de su casa en Texas de la chica muerta.

Then there was a list of books; all of them were about Colorado and
Luego hubo una lista de libros; todas ellas fueron acerca de Colorado y

land development. Then there was a list of about ten newspapers

el desarrollo agricola. Luego hubo una lista de alrededor de 10 peridicos

that Janine took from the library in the last two years. I asked to see
que Janine tom desde la biblioteca en los ltimos dos aos. Ped ver

37

them all. In every newspaper there was a story about ski resorts
todos ellos. En cada peridico hubo una historia acerca de estaciones de ski

and hotels. One of them talked about a famous movie star.

y hoteles. Uno de ellos habl acerca de una famosa estrella de cine.

The movie star, Susan Hunter, who lives in Pine Crest, said:
La estrella de cine, Susan Hunter, quien vive en Pine Crest, dijo:

People have always come to Colorado, to get rich fast. In the past it
"La gente siempre ha llegado a Colorado, para hacerse rico rpidamente. En el

was gold and silver. Today, most of the gold and silver has gone.
Pasado era de oro y plata. Hoy en da, la mayora de la plata y el oro ha
desaparecido.

The new gold is land that can be used for ski resorts and hotels.
La nuevooro es una tierra que puede utilizarse para estaciones de ski y hoteles.

Land developers make millions of dollars from this land. Today in

Agricultores hacen millones de dlares procedentes de esta tierra. Hoy en

Colorado, theres a fight between big business and nature lovers

Colorado, hay una lucha entre las grandes empresas y los amantes de la
naturaleza

who want to stop this. I am fighting for Colorado!

que quieren detener esto. Estoy luchando por Colorado!"

I closed the newspaper. Big business, I thought. Big money. Every

Cerr el peridico. Grandes negocios, pens. Las grandes sumas de dinero. Cada

year in Colorado there were more houses, more stores, and more ski
ao en Colorado hay ms casas, ms tiendas y ms estaciones

resorts. More and more people trying to make money. I knew that
de esqu. Ms y ms personas tratando de hacer dinero. Yo saba que

people who lived here in the Rocky Mountains often got angry. This
la gente que vive aqu, en las Montaas Rocosas, a menudo se enojan. "Esto

is nature, they said. We dont need more buildings. We dont need

es la naturaleza", dicen ellos. "No necesitamos ms edificios. No necesitamos

more ski resorts. But it was like standing on the beach and trying to
ms estaciones de esqu.' Pero era como estar en la playa y tratando de

make the sea go back.

hacer retroceder al mar.

38

Chapter 6
Captulo 6

A movie star
una estrella de cine

I called Gershon on my cell phone.

Llam a Gersn en mi telfono celular.

Susan Hunter, I said. She seems to be very active in the fight

"Susan Hunter", dije. "Ella parece ser muy activo en la lucha

against land development.

contra el desarrollo de la tierra."

Yeah, she was, he said. But she hasnt done anything for a while.
"S, ella era", el dijo. "Pero ella no ha hecho nada por un tiempo."

Where does she live? I asked.

" Dnde vive ella ?", le pregunt.

Big house up on Hillside, he said. Hillside was the part of Pine Crest
"En una casa grande arriba en Hillside," dijo. Hillside era parte de Pine Crest,

where all the famous people lived.

donde todas las personas famosas vivian.

Good, I said. Ill go to see her. Oh, and did you hear from the
"Bueno," dije. "Ir a verla. Oh, y te enteraste del

hospital? Yes, he said.

hospital?" "S," l dijo.

And? I asked. Working with Gershon was slow.

"Y?", le pregunt. El trabajo con Gersn fue lento.

Well, they are sure now that it was murder, he said, and it was a
"Bien, ahora estn seguros de que fue asesinato," el dijo, "y era un

man.
hombre.

What time did she die? I asked. Between ten-thirty and eleven,
''cuando murio?", le pregunt. "Entre diez y treinta y once",

he said.
dijo.

39

Janine Anderson died minutes before Teresa Douglas went to the pool
Janine Anderson muri minutos antes de que Teresa Douglas fuera a la piscina

and found her body. And probably minutes after the waiters at the
y encontraron su cuerpo. Y, probablemente, minutos despus de que los

Columbine left.
Camareros salieran de Columbine.

I put my phone away and felt my gun in my inside pocket. At three

Guarde mi telfono y sent mi pistola en mi bolsillo interior. A las tres

oclock that afternoon I parked my Chevy next to Susan Hunters

de la maana esa tarde aparque mi Chevy junto al jaguar de Susan Hunter

Jaguar, outside her beautiful big house.

fuera de su gran casa hermosa.

Movie stars, I thought. They dont like development, but they live
Las estrellas de cine, pens. No les gusta el avamce, pero viven

in big houses!
en grandes casas!

I got out of my car and looked at the mountains. I saw that there were
Sal de mi coche y mire a las montaas. He visto que hay

cameras everywhere around the house. A very tall man came to the
cmaras en todas partes alrededor de la casa. Un hombre muy alto lleg a la

door. I could see that he had a gun under his jacket.

puerta. Yo poda ver que l tena una pistola bajo su chaqueta.

I showed him my City of Denver police badge. Good afternoon,

Le mostr mi insignia de la polica de Denver."Buenas tardes,

Detective Laine, he said, smiling.

Detective Laine," el dijo sonriendo.

He took me into the stars living room. A few moments later, she
Me llev al saln de la estrella. Unos momentos ms tarde, ella

walked in.
entro.

Susan Hunter was a beautiful woman in her thirties, with black hair
Susan Hunter era una hermosa mujer de los aos treinta, con pelo negro

and clear blue eyes. She was dressed in grey trousers and a red blouse
y ojos azules claros. Estaba vestida de pantaln gris y una blusa roja

with a high neck. We sat together in the very big living room,
con un cuello alto. Nos sentamos juntos en la gran sala,

40

drinking tea. Around the room, there were photos of the star with
bebiendo t. Alrededor de la sala, haba fotos de la estrella con

other famous movie stars. There were also photos of her husband and
otras famosas estrellas de cine.Tambin hubo fotos de su marido y

three children.
sus tres hijos.

Yes, in the past it was gold and silver, Detective Laine, she said, taking
"S, en el pasado fue el oro y la plata, Detective Laine,' dijo, tomando

a drink of her tea. Now its ski resorts. Theres always some reason
un trago de su t. 'Ahora hay estaciones de esqu. Siempre hay alguna razn

why we need land.

por la que necesitamos la tierra."

I waited for more.

He esperado ms.

But, she said, it cant go on like this. The land is not ours. Its for our
'pero', ella dijo, "no puede seguir as. La tierra no es nuestra. Es para nuestros

children and our grandchildren to enjoy. This is such a beautiful

hijos y para que nuestros nietos disfruten. Este es un lugar tan

place.
hermoso."

Yes, its lovely, I agreed. We looked out of the window. The sun
"S, es preciosa", estuve de acuerdo. Miramos por la ventana. El sol

was starting to go down over the Rocky Mountains and the sky was
estaba comenzando a descender sobre las Montaas Rocosas y el cielo era

pink and orange.

rosa y naranja.

But ski resorts mean big money, she went on, and its difficult to
"Pero los resorts de esqu significan grandes sumas de dinero," ella continu, "y

stop people buying and developing the land. Her voice became very
es difcil que la gente deje de comprar y explotar la tierra." Su voz se hizo muy

quiet. Look at Redridge, she said.

tranquilo. "Mire a Redridge ', ella dijo.

Oh yes, I said. Redridge was a small town thirty miles away.

"Oh s", me dijo. Redridge era una pequea ciudad a 30 millas de distancia.

It was an old silver town.

Era una antigua ciudad de La Plata.

41

Well, she said, three years ago Redridge was a small, quiet town.
'Bueno,' dijo, 'Crestagrana hace tres aos era un pueblo pequeo y tranquilo.

Now its a very big resort with hotels, expensive stores and
Ahora es un gran complejo turstico con hoteles, tiendas y

restaurants, and ski runs everywhere. It has thousands of visitors

restaurantes caros, y pistas de esqu en todas partes. Tiene miles de visitantes

every year.
cada ao.'

So? I asked. Isnt that good for the town?

Entonces'?", le pregunt. "No es tan bueno para la ciudad?"

Susan Hunter laughed. Have you seen it? she asked.

Susan Hunter ri. "lo has visto?", pregunt.

Tell me more, I said.

"Dime mas", dije.

The Government Land Office, she said, bought the Redridge land
"La Oficina de Tierras del Gobierno,'ella dijo, 'compraron la tierra de Redridge

fifty years ago. Then, in 1997, they the GLO

hace cincuenta aos. Posteriormente, en 1997, ellos - la GLO

wanted to sell the land. They knew they could sell it as a vacation
- quera vender la tierra. Saban que podan vender como un resort

resort and get a lot of money.

de vacaciones y obtener un montn de dinero."

I knew that this happened a lot. The government was always trying
Yo saba que esto sucedi mucho. El gobierno siempre estaba tratando

to find ways to make money. Susan Hunter went on: So they asked
de encontrar maneras de hacer dinero. Susan Hunter continu: "Me preguntaron

vacation resort companies to tell them about their plans for the
la companias de resorts para informarles acerca de sus planes para la

town. There were five big companies that wanted to develop

ciudad. Hubo cinco grandes compaas que queran urbanizar

Redridge. The company that won was Alpine Resorts. Their boss is
Redridge. La empresa que gan fue Alpine Resorts.. Su jefe es

a guy called Ricky Klein.

un tipo llamado Ricky Klein.

Ricky Klein? I asked.

''Ricky Klein?", le pregunt.

42

Hes always in the newspapers, she said. Hes very rich and he
"l siempre est en los peridicos", dijo. "l es muy rico y

has hundreds of businesses. Alpine Resorts was already famous for

tiene cientos de empresas. Alpine Resorts ya era famoso por

Alpine Resorts Oregon, which destroyed beautiful natural forests.

Alpine Resorts Oregon, que destruyeron los bosques naturales de gran belleza.

Three of the other four companies all had good plans for Redridge.
Tres de las otras cuatro empresas todos tenan buenos planes para Redridge.

They wanted to save its natural beauty, she went on.

Queran guardar su belleza natural," ella continu.

So why did the GLO choose the worst plan? I asked. Ha! Thats
"Oh por qu el GLO elijio el peor plan?", le pregunt. "Ja! Esa es

the big question, Detective Laine, said Susan Hunter.

la gran pregunta, Detective Laine," dijo Susan Hunter. "

I guess that Ricky Klein gave someone in the GLO a lot of

Supongo que Ricky Klein dio a alguien del GLO mucho

money.
dinero.' '

Money? A bribe? I asked.

Dinero? Un soborno?", le pregunt.

Susan Hunter nodded. A bribe, she said. Millions of dollars,

Susan Hunter asinti con la cabeza. 'un soborno," ella dijo. "millones de dlares,

I guess.
supongo."

And why wasnt it in the newspapers? I asked. I mean, you knew

"y por qu no se publica en los diarios?", le pregunt. "Quiero decir,

about it who else?

usted lo saba ... quin ms?

The GLO kept everything quiet until the last minute, she
''el GLO mantena todo tranquilo hasta el ltimo minuto," ella

said. Then it was too late. My group was called Save Colorado.
dijo. "Entonces ya era demasiado tarde. Mi grupo se llamaba Save Colorado

We knew about the bribe from someone who worked for the GLO.
Sabamos sobre el soborno de alguien que trabaj para el GLO.

But we dont know who took the bribe.

Pero no sabemos quin tom el soborno."

I looked at her. Did you know Janine Anderson? I asked. Yes, I did
mir a ella. "Sabias lo de Janine Anderson?", le pregunt. "S, sabia

43

a little, she said quietly. She came here to talk

un poco," dijo tranquilamente. "Ella vino aqu a hablar

to me last year. I told her what I knew.

conmigo el ao pasado. Le dije lo que yo saba."

Thats it, I thought. Janine Anderson found out the name of the
Eso es todo, pens. Janine Anderson descubri el nombre de la

person in the Government Land Office who took the money.

persona en la oficina de tierras del Gobierno que tom el dinero.

It was quiet for a few moments.

Era tranquilo por unos momentos.

And what about Pine Crest? I asked.

"Y qu hay de Pine Crest?", le pregunt.

Well, Susan Hunter said, the next Alpine Resorts development

"Bien," dijo Susan Hunter, "la siguiente urbanizacin de Alpine Resorts

will be in Pine Crest, later this year. What happened to Redridge will
ser en Pine Crest, ms adelante este ao. Lo que sucedi en Redridge

happen here. Theyll kill its natural beauty. She smiled sadly.
suceder aqu. Ellos mataran a su belleza natural." Ella sonri tristemente.

And no-one can save it.

"Y nadie puede salvarlo.'

I stood up to go. At the door, I turned round. Theres one thing I dont
me levant para ir. En la puerta, gire. "Hay una cosa que no

understand, I said.
Entiendo ", dije.

You mean why dont I do something about this? Why didnt I tell
"Quiere decir por qu no puedo hacer algo acerca de esto? Por qu no puedo

the police before now? she asked.

decirle a la polica ahora?", respondio.

She pulled down the neck of her red blouse. On her neck, very near
Ella bajo el cuello de su blusa roja. En su cuello, muy cerca

her throat, there was a big scar. From a knife.

de su garganta, hubo una gran cicatriz. De un cuchillo.

Detective Laine, I have three children, a wonderful husband and

'Detective Laine, tengo tres hijos, un esposo maravilloso y

my work, she said. I dont want to die.

mi trabajo", dijo. "No quiero morir."

44

What happened? I asked.

"Qu pas?", le pregunt.

It was a year ago. Oh, I cant say who it was, she said. It happened at
"Hace un ao. Oh, no puedo decir quin era," ella dijo. 'Ocurri

night and I didnt see his face. But Im sure it was because of all this.
en la noche y no pude ver su rostro. Pero estoy segura de que fue a causa de
todo esto.

These are dangerous days. We must be very careful.

Estos son das peligrosos. Debemos ser muy cuidadosos."

Yeah, dangerous days, I thought. I felt my gun under my jacket and

S, das peligrosos, pens. Sent mi pistola debajo de mi chaqueta y

left the movie stars house.

Sali de la casa de la estrella de cine

45

Chapter 7 A visit to Redridge

Captulo 7

Una visita a Redridge

I drove away from Susan Hunters house and back to my hotel.

Sal de la casa de Susan Hunter y regrese a mi hospedaje.

I thought about my talk with the movie star. Ricky Klein of

Pens en mi conversacin con la estrella de cine. Ricky Klein de

Alpine Resorts gave someone in the Government Land Office a

Alpine Resorts dio a alguien en la oficina de Government Land un

bribe to take the worst plan for Redridge. And Janine Anderson knew
soborno para tomar el peor plan para Redridge. Y Janine Anderson saba

all about it. But who was it, and how did Janine find out?
todo sobre eso. Pero quin era l, y cmo Janine averiguo?

I went back to my room and called Gershon.

Volv a mi habitacin y llame a Gersn.

Bill, I want a full list of people in the Government Land Office

"Bill, quiero una lista completa de las personas en la oficina de Government Land

since 1996. Can you ask one of your men to get it for me?
desde 1996. Usted puede pedirle a uno de sus hombres conseguirlo para m?"

I guess so, said Gershon.

"Supongo que s,' dice Gershon.

Same old Gershon. What was wrong with the guy?

El mismo viejo Gershon. estaba mal con el tipo?

The next morning I woke up early. I picked up my gun. I

A la maana siguiente me despert temprano. Cog mi pistola.

remembered Susan Hunters question about Redridge: Have you

Recorde la pregunta de Susan Hunte sobre Crestagrana:"Lo has

seen it?
visto?"

It was time to visit Redridge. I wanted to see it for myself. I got in the
era tiempo de visitar Redridge. Quera ver por m misma. Me puse en el

Chevy and drove the thirty miles to the town. Welcome to Redridge,
Chevy y conduje las treinta millas de la ciudad. "Bienvenido a Redridge

36

home of Alpine Resorts Colorado

hogar de Alpine Resorts Colorado '

said the sign as I drove in. The town was busy with people on vacation.
Deca el letrero mientras entraba. La ciudad estaba llena de gente de vacaciones.

Skiers, mostly. On Main Street there were some stores and

Los principalmente esquiadores. En la calle principal hay algunas tiendas y

restaurants. Then, at the end of the street, I found the beginning of

restaurantes. Entonces, al final de la calle, me encontr con el comienzo de

Alpine Resorts Colorado. At the gate was a man in a blue uniform.

Alpine Resorts Colorado. En la puerta haba un hombre con un uniforme azul.

Good morning, how can I help you? he asked. He smiled and showed
"Buenos das, cmo puedo ayudarle?", pregunte. l sonri y mostr

very white teeth.

muy dientes blancos.

37

Well, I said, Im just visiting, you know, and Id like to take a

look.
"Bien," dije, "slo soy visitante, t sabes, y me gustara echar un vistazo."

Of course, he smiled. Ill ask someone to show you around.

"Por supuesto", sonri. "Voy a pedirle a alguien que te muestre tu alrededor."

I waited. He talked to someone on the phone. A few minutes later a

He esperado. Hable con alguien en el telfono. Unos minutos ms tarde una

young blonde woman walked up to me. She smiled a lot too.

joven mujer rubia se acerc a m. Ella sonri mucho tambin.

Good morning, she said, shaking my hand. My name is Tina

Nielson
'Buenos das', dijo ella, agitando mi mano. 'Mi nombre es Tina Nielson

from Alpine Resorts. Let me show you around our beautiful resort.
de Alpine Resorts. Permtanme mostrarles nuestro hermoso resort'.

We started walking. Alpine Resorts Colorado was almost like a small

Empezamos a caminar. Alpine Resorts Colorado era casi como una pequea

city. When you went through the big gate there were a lot of different
ciudad. Cuando fui a la puerta principal habia un montn de diferentes

buildings. There were three swimming pools, four hotels, vacation

edificios. Hubo tres piscinas, cuatro hoteles, restaurantes y casas

homes, restaurants and ski rental. It was very, very big.

de vacaciones, alquiler de esqus. Es muy, muy grande.

We have the complete vacation here, smiled Tina. You can do

"Tenemos las vacaciones completas aqu", sonri a Tina. "Se puede hacer

everything. You dont have to leave Alpine Resorts.

todo. No tienes que salir de Alpine Resorts."

I looked around. Many of the buildings were so big that you

Mir alrededor. Muchos de los edificios son tan grandes que

couldnt see the mountains.

no poda ver las montaas.

Yes, she went on. Its a vacation for the whole family. And the
"S," ella continu. "Se trata de unas vacaciones para toda la familia. Y el

skiing is very good. We have all the ski runs in Redridge right
esqu es muy bueno. Tenemos todas las pistas de esqu en Redridge justo

here.
aqu."

38

You mean, I said, if I want to ski I have to stay here? Well, she
"Quieres decir," dije, "Si quiero esquiar tengo que quedarme aqu?" "Bien," ella

said, of course you can ski just for the day.

dijo, "por supuesto se puede esquiar slo por el da.

But the ski runs are ours. I mean Alpine Resorts. And how much is a
Pero las pistas de esqu son los nuestras. Me refiero a Alpine Resort.' 'y cunto

ski pass? I asked.

esta un pase de esqu?", le pregunt.

Its three hundred dollars a day, she said.

'esta 300 dlares al da," dijo ella.

Three hundred dollars! That was double the cost of a ski pass in
Trescientos dlares! Ese era el doble del costo de un pase de esqu en

Pine Crest. Alpine Resorts was very expensive; someone was making
Pine Crest. Alpine Resorts era muy caro; alguien estaba haciendo

a lot of money!
un montn de dinero!

But why dont you try it? she said.

"Pero por qu no intentarlo?" ella dijo.

Well, Im a little busy I started.

"Bueno, estoy un poco ocupada..." empec.

Come on, she said. Well be happy to give you a half- price ski
"Venga," ella dijo. "Estaremos encantados de ofrecerle una mitad del precio

pass for the morning. That will be just seventy-five dollars.

forfait para maana. Que ser de slo 75 dlares."

Well, OK, I said. I could ski for an hour or two, I thought.

"Bueno," dije. Yo podra esquiar por una o dos horas, pens.

I needed some time to think.

Necesitaba algo de tiempo para pensar.

I went to the ski rental, and got some skis, boots and poles.
Fui hasta el alquiler de esqus, y nos dieron unos esqus, botas y bastones.

I went up the mountain on a ski lift and spent an hour or two skiing
Me subi a la montaa en un remonte y pase una hora o dos de esqu

the lower runs. It was a beautiful day to be on the mountains.

las pistas inferiores. Era un hermoso da para estar en las montaas.

But from the top I could see how big Alpine Resorts really was.
Pero desde la cima poda ver cmo Alpine Resorts era realmente grande.

At about eleven-thirty, I went into a caf halfway up the mountain.

En alrededor de 11-30, Me fui a un caf a medio camino de la montaa.

39

There were a lot of other skiers there. I drank my coffee, took my ski
Hubieron muchos otros esquiadores all. Beb mi caf, sque el mapa de mi

run map out of my pocket and looked at it. Up above the caf there
recorrido de esqui de mi chaqueta y mire. Arriba del caf hubo

were some difficult, black runs with interesting names like Mad
algunas dificultades, 'negro' corria con interesantes nombres como Mad

Dog and Killer Run. I wanted to try them. And I wanted to get
Dog y Killer Run. Yo quera tratar con ellos. Y yo quera escapar

away from the people. I needed to think.

de la gente. Necesitaba pensar.

I took the Mountain Tops ski lift up another 1,000 feet. Here, at
Tom las cimas de la montaa otros 1.000 pies. Aqu, a

10,500 feet, the world was white and quiet. It was very cold.
10.500 pies, el mundo era blanco y tranquilo. Estaba muy fra.

There were almost no people, just a few figures far away. Most skiers
Casi no haba gente, slo unas pocas cifras lejos. La mayora de los esquiadores

stayed down below. I felt alone. I put my hand in the pocket on the
estaban abajo. Me sent sola. Puse mi mano en el bolsillo en el

inside of my coat and felt my gun.

Interior de mi chaqueta y sent mi arma.

I wanted to go up even higher, to 12,000 feet, almost to the top of

Yo quera ir arriba, incluso tan alto a 12.000 pies, casi a la cima de

the mountain. I started to walk slowly to the Summit ski lift. Suddenly,
la montaa. Comenc a caminar lentamente a la Cumbre telesilla. De repente,

I heard somebody behind me.

escuch que alguien detrs de m.

Detective Laine, said a mans voice.

'Detective Laine," dijo la voz de un hombre.

I turned around. The man was wearing a black ski mask. I couldnt see
Me di la vuelta. El hombre llevaba un pasamontaas negro. No poda ver

his face. Just his brown eyes.

su rostro. Slo sus ojos marrones.

I moved away from the man quickly. But the man came closer to
Me separ del hombre rpidamente. Pero el hombre se acerc a

40

me and said in my ear: Turn around, Detective. Were going to get

m y me dijo en mi odo: 'De la vuelta, detective. Vamos a llegar

on the ski lift together. I felt something hard in my back. It felt

al remonte juntos." Sent algo duro en mi espalda. Se senta

like a gun. There were no people, anywhere. Just the man with the
como un arma. No haba gente, en ningun lugar. Slo el hombre con la

gun and me.

pistola y yo.

And dont do anything stupid, he said, or Ill kill you.

"y no hagas nada estpido," me dijo, "o te matar."

41

Chapter 8
Captulo 8

Dangerous days
das peligrosos

You cant do this, I said to the man.

"no puedes hacer esto," me dijo al hombre.

Be quiet and get on the ski lift, the man said. He pushed me.
"estar tranquilo y dentro en el remonte," el hombre dijo. Me empuj.

The ski lift had a seat for two people. The man pushed me into the
El remonte tena un asiento para dos personas. El hombre me empuj contra

seat and then he got in next to me. I looked around, but there was
el asiento y luego se qued junto a m. Mir a mi alrededor, pero no haba

nobody up here. The ski lift went up. Up to the top of the mountain.
nadie aqu. El remonte subi. Hasta la cima de la montaa.

I looked at the man, at his brown eyes. He was slim. Was he the man
Mir al hombre, en sus ojos marrones. Era delgado. l era el hombre

at the Columbine?
de Columbine?

Give me your gun, he said. My gun? I said.

"Deme su arma", dijo.' Mi arma?', dije.

42

Come on, he said. I know youre carrying a gun. I looked down.

"venga", dijo. "S que ests llevando un arma." Mir hacia abajo.

We were thirty feet over the snow. And dont do anything stupid,
Estbamos a 30 pies por encima de la nieve."y no haga nada estpido,"

he said.
l dijo.

I put my hand inside my coat and felt my gun. I took it out and
Puse mi mano dentro de mi abrigo y sent mi pistola. La saqu y

gave it to him.
Se la di.

And now, said the man, putting my gun in his pocket, youre
"Y ahora," dijo el hombre, poniendo mi pistola en su bolsillo, "vas

going to fall youre going to fall from the ski lift.

a caer ... te vas a caer desde el remonte."

Youre crazy! I said. Theyll catch you.

"ests loco!', dije. "Ellos te capturarn."

Ill just say that you fell, he said. Anyway, I dont know you, and
"Solo dir que se cay", dijo. "De todos modos, no la conosco, y

you dont know me, do you?

usted no me conoce, verdad?'

I thought fast. I know you work for Ricky Klein, I said, taking a
pens rpido. "Yo s que ustedes trabajan para Ricky Klein," dije, teniendo

chance. I needed time and I wanted him to talk.

Una oportunidad. Necesitaba tiempo y yo le quera hablar.

The man looked at me. Youre smart, he said. And Janine

El hombre me mir. "Eres inteligente," dijo. "Y Janine

Anderson? I asked. Did you kill her?

Anderson?", le pregunt. 'T la mataste?"

We had to, he said. She knew too much. She asked too many
"Lo hicimos", afirm. "Ella saba demasiado. Hacia demasiadas

questions. And she was very stupid. She wanted to tell everyone
preguntas. Y era muy estpida. Ella quera contarle a todo el mundo

about it.
eso.

43

How did you know that she was alone in the swimming pool?
''Cmo saba que ella estaba sola en la piscina?",

I asked.
le pregunt.

I watched her, he said, watched her for days.

'la vi', dijo, 'la observ durante das."

From the Columbine restaurant, I said.

"Desde el restaurante Columbine," dije.

Yes, she often went to the pool alone in the evenings.

"S, ella a menudo iba a la piscina solo en las tardes.

It was easy. I just went into the hotel through the parking lot.
Era fcil. Slo entr al hotel a travs del estacionamiento."

Yes, I thought. It couldnt be easier.

S, pens. No podra ser ms sencillo.

And then you took her notebook? I asked.

"y entonces usted tom su cuaderno?", le pregunt.

Do you think Im crazy? Of course I took her notebook.

"Piensas que estoy loco? Por supuesto, tome su cuaderno.

I burned it.
Lo quem."

I didnt want him to stop.

Yo no quera que se detenga.

And she knew the name of the man in the Government Land
"y conoca el nombre del hombre de las oficinas de Government

Office? I asked quickly. The man who took a bribe from Ricky
Land", le pregunt rpidamente. "El hombre que tom un soborno de Ricky

Klein to let him build Alpine Resorts Colorado?

Klein para dejarle construir a Alpine Resorts Colorado?'

Yes, Detective, he said, the Big Boss, Big CJ.

"S, detective,' dijo, 'The Big Boss, Big CJ.' '

Big CJ? Whos that? I asked.

Big CJ? Quin es ese?", le pregunt.

Enough questions, said the man. I just do the killing,

"suficientes preguntas," dijo el hombre. "Acabo de hacer la matanza,

Detective.
Detective."

44

I looked down. We were very high. The snow and the trees
Mir hacia abajo. Estbamos muy alto. La nieve y los rboles

were a long way down. I could see two skiers on the

fue un largo camino hacia abajo. Pude ver dos esquiadores en la

mountain but they were very far away. I couldnt shout.

montaa pero estaban muy lejos. Yo no poda gritar.

I couldnt do anything.
Yo no poda hacer nada.

Youre next, Detective Laine, he said. Time to die.

"Usted es la prximo, Detective Laine," dijo. 'Hora de morir."

I looked down again. It was a long way down and he was

Mir hacia abajo de nuevo. Habia un largo camino hacia abajo y estaba

trying to push me. I had to do something and I had to

tratando de empujarme . Yo tena que hacer algo y tenia

do it now.
que hacerlo ya.

The gunman moved to lift up the bar on the ski lift.

El pistolero se traslad al levante de la barra en el remonte.

Quickly, I moved forward and hit him in his face with

Rpidamente, me mov hacia adelante y lo golpe en la cara con

my right hand. At the same time, I hit his hand with the
mi mano derecha. Al mismo tiempo, golpe su mano con la

gun in it with my left hand. The gun flew out of his hand
pistola en ella con mi mano izquierda. El arma vol de su mano

and fell. It made no noise as it fell into the snow far

y cay. No hizo ruido al caer en la nieve a

below.
lo lejos.

You he started, you But it was too late. I hit him

"Tu ..." comenz, "tu ...", pero ya era demasiado tarde. Le golpe

on the back of his head, pushed him and he fell.

en la parte de atrs de su cabeza, lo empuje y cay.

Down, down, down.

Abajo, Abajo, Abajo.

I looked down and watched him. His skis were heavy and
Mir hacia abajo y lo observe. Sus esques eran pesadas y

45

he fell fast. He fell into the trees far down below. I pulled
cay rpido. l cay en los rboles mucho ms abajo. He tirado hacia

down the bar. The ski lift went on moving.Up,up.It was

abajo de la barra. El remonte iba avanzando. Arriba, arriba. Estaba

quiet again. The only thing I could hear was the sound of
tranquilo de nuevo. Lo nico que poda or era el sonido de

my heart.
mi corazn.

46

Chapter 9

A lot to lose

Captulo 9

mucho que perder

Whisky, please, I said to Bill Gershon.

"Whisky, por favor,"le dije a Bill Gershon.

I sat down. It was nine oclock that evening. We were in his office.
Me sent. Era las nueve de la noche. Estbamos en su oficina.

I needed a drink. Gershon took the whisky from his cupboard.

Necesitaba un trago. Gershon tom el whisky de sus armarios?

I smiled at him. Just like Leo, I said. Do all Chiefs of Police

Le sonre. "Igual que Leo", le dije. "Todos los jefes de polica

have whisky in their cupboards?

han whisky en sus armarios?'

Gershon smiled and put the whisky down on the little table
Gersn sonri y coloc el whisky en la mesita

in front of me.
delante de m.

I took a drink of the whisky. It was good. I looked at

Tom una copa de whisky. Fue bueno. Mir a

Gershon. I was alive.

Gershon. Yo estaba viva.

Tony Rizzo, I said to Gershon, what did you find out about
'Tony Rizzo," dije a Gershon, "como te enteraste de

him?
l?"

The only thing I knew about the gunman was his name.
La nica cosa que yo saba sobre el pistolero era su nombre.

The police found his body in the snow. Tony Rizzo was the name
La polica encontr su cuerpo en la nieve. Tony Rizzo era el nombre

on the drivers license in his pocket.

de la licencia del conductor en su bolsillo.

Tony Rizzo came from New Mexico, said Gershon. He was a

'Tony Rizzo vino de Nuevo Mxico,' dijo Gershon. "l era un

47

hit man for anybody who paid him.

Asesino a sueldo para cualquiera que le pag."

A hit man. A killer. And Ricky Klein had enough money to pay
Un sicario. Un asesino. Y Ricky Klein tena suficiente dinero para

him, I thought.
pagarle, pens.

Gershon went on: He spent four years in prison near Santa Fe,
Gershon continu: "pas cuatro aos en prisin cerca de Santa Fe,

New Mexico, from 1993 to 1997 for killing a security

Nuevo Mxico, desde 1993 a 1997 por el homicidio de un guardia de

guard. Only four years? I asked.

seguridad." "slo cuatro aos?", le pregunt.

He got out, Gershon said. His friends helped him. He jumped

"el sali", Gershon dijo. "Sus amigos le ayudaron. l salt

out of a window and onto a furniture truck. I looked at Gershon.

por una ventana y sobre un camin de muebles." Mir a Gershon.

He was almost enjoying himself, I thought. Well, it was different

Estaba casi disfrutando, pens. Bien, estaba diferente

from parking tickets.

desde los tickets del parking.

Anyway, I said, I got everything from him. The whole story?

"De todos modos," dije, "tengo todo de l." "toda la historia?"

asked Gershon.
pregunt Gershon.

Well, almost everything, I said. I got Rizzo to talk on the ski lift.
"Bueno, casi todo," le dije. "Consegu que Rizzo me hablara en el remonte.

He killed Janine Anderson. And Ricky Klein was behind it.

l mat a Janine Anderson. Y Ricky Klein estaba detrs de eso.'

Wow! said Gershon. Youre good!

'Wow!' dice Gershon. "Eres buena!"

I smiled. Thats the nicest thing youve said to me, Bill, I said.
Sonre. "Esa es la mejor cosa que me has dicho, Bill", le dije.

Gershon looked at me and smiled. Maybe we were becoming

Gershon, me mir y sonri. Tal vez estbamos empezando

friends at last.
amigos finalmente.

48

But theres someone else, I went on. Someone Rizzo called

"Pero hay alguien ms ,' me fui. "Alguien de Rizzo llamado

the Big Boss, Big CJ. Janine Anderson knew a lot. Everything,
el "Big Boss, Big CJ". Janine Anderson saba mucho. Todo,

I think. About Klein, how he gave a lot of money to this Big CJ.
Pienso. En Klein, como dio un montn de dinero a este Big CJ.

This man who was in the Government Land Office.

Este hombre que se encontraba en la oficina de Government Land.'

Government Land Office! said Bill Gershon suddenly. He put

Oficina de Government Land!" dijo Bill Gersn repentinamente. l puso

his hand in his pocket and took out about five pieces of paper.
su mano en su bolsillo y sac unos cinco trozos de papel.

I forgot! Here are the names.

"Lo olvid! Aqu estn los nombres."

I took the papers from Gershon and put them on the table in front
Tome los papeles de Gersn y las coloque sobre la mesa en frente

of me. I read through them. I was looking for a famous name.

de m. He ledo a travs de ellos. Yo estaba buscando un nombre famoso.

A few minutes later I looked up at Gershon. Bill, theres one

Unos minutos ms tarde mir Gershon. "el nombre de Bill, esta

name on here that

aqui

Yes, I know, said Gershon. His eyes were big and round.
"S, lo s," dijo Gershon. Sus ojos eran grandes y redondos.

Governor Clark Johnson a member of the GLO!

"El Gobernador Clark Johnson ... miembro de la GLO!"

But it cant be! I said.

"Pero no puede ser!" dije.

Clark Johnson! CJ! The Governor of Colorado. And the man

Clark Johnson! CJ! El gobernador de Colorado. Y el hombre

who everyone said was the next President of the United States.
que todos dijeron que era el prximo Presidente de los Estados Unidos.

I drank my whisky. Now I could see everything. Janine

Beb mi whisky. Ahora yo poda ver todo. "Janine

Anderson had enough to send Klein to prison for twenty

Anderson tena suficiente para enviar a la crcel a Klein por veinte

49

years, I said to Bill, and she had enough to finish Governor

aos," dije, "Bill y ella tena suficiente para terminar el Gobernador

Johnson. She wanted to write all about it. Of course she had to die.
Johnson. Ella quera escribir todo sobre eso. Claro, ella tuvo que morir."

But how did Janine know about Clark Johnson?

"Pero cmo Janine saber sobre Clark Johnson?',

Maybe she guessed at first, I said. She knew that it must be

'Quizas ella supuso primero", dije. "Ella saba que debe ser

someone important in the GLO. Someone who needed a lot of

alguien importante en el GLO. Alguien que necesitaba un montn

money.
de dinero."

Wow! said Gershon. If this is true, its big!

"Wow!" dice Gershon. "Si esto es cierto, es grande!"

Yes, I said, its big. Johnson was in the Government Land Office
"S," me dijo, "es grande. Johnson estaba en la oficina de Government Land

when Klein built Alpine Resorts Colorado in Redridge. Johnson

cuando Klein construy Alpine Resorts Colorado en Redridge. Johnson

needed money. He wanted to become Governor.

necesitaba dinero. l quera ser gobernador."

So Klein said, You let me build Alpine Resorts said Gershon.

"Asi que Klein dijo, "me dejas construir Alpine Resorts..." dijo Gershon.

And Ill give you money! A lot of money. Millions of dollars,

"y te dar dinero!" un montn de dinero. Millones de dlares,

probably, I said. We can look at his bank account easily enough.

probablemente," dije. "Podemos mirar su cuenta bancaria con facilidad.'

And then Johnson wanted to become President! said Gershon.

'y entonces Johnson quiso ser presidente!" dijo Gershon.

Yes, I said. I think Janine really did have a big story. The biggest.
"S," dije. "Creo que Janine tenia realmente una gran historia. La mayor."

The next President of the United States took money from Ricky
"El prximo presidente de los Estados Unidos' recibio dinero de Ricky

Klein to let Klein build a new Alpine Resorts. What was bigger
Klein para dejar que Klein construyera un nuevo Alpine Resorts. Lo que era

than that?
ms grande que eso?

50

But now weve got enough to send Klein to prison for a very long
"Pero ahora tenemos suficiente para enviar Klein a la crcel por mucho

time, I said. And I think we can get Clark Johnson too.

tiempo", dije. "y creo que podemos atrapar a Clark Johnson tambien."

Wow! said Bill.

"Wow!" dijo Bill.

Yes, I said. Wow!

"S," dije. "Wow!"

51

Chapter 10
Captulo 10

The Big Boss

The Big Boss

Thats the story, I said to Jeff Mason.

"Esa es la historia," le dije a Jeff Mason.

Jeff now knew everything about Alpine Resorts and Ricky Klein.
Jeff ahora saba todo acerca de Alpine Resorts y Ricky Klein.

And about Governor Clark Johnson.

Y sobre el Gobernador Clark Johnson.

So thats why poor Janine died! he said. Because of Clark

"asi que por eso la pobre Janine muri!', dijo. "Por Clark

Johnson!
Johnson!"

Yes, and now we need to get Johnson, I said. What about Klein?
"S, y ahora necesitamos atrapar a Johnson," dije. "Qu hay de Kleim?"

asked Jeff.
Pregunt Jeff.

We cant find him, I said. He knows about Rizzo and hes gone
'no podemos encontrarlo", le dije. "l sabe acerca de Rizzo y l se ha ido

the police are still looking for him. Were going to get Johnson,
-la polica sigue buscndolo. Vamos a atrapar a Johnson,'

I went on, and I need your help.

contine, "y necesito tu ayuda."

An hour later, Jeff called Johnsons office. I listened to the

Una hora ms tarde, Jeff llamo a la oficina de Johnson. He escuchado la

conversation on another phone. I want to speak to Governor

conversacin en otro telfono. "Quiero hablar con el Gobernador

Johnson, said Jeff.

Johnson", dijo Jeff.

Im sorry, but the Governor is busy now, said a young woman.

"Lo siento, pero el Gobernador est ocupado ahora," dijo una mujer joven.

52

Can I help?
"Puedo ayudarle?"

Yes, said Jeff. You can tell the Governor that I want to talk
"S," dijo Jeff. "Puede decirle al Gobernador que quiero hablar

about my friend Janine Anderson and the money Governor

de mi amiga Janine Anderson y el dinero que el Gobernador

Johnson took from Mr. Ricky Klein. Jeff gave the woman his
Johnson tom del Sr. Ricky Klein." Jeff dio a la mujer su

hotel name and his telephone number.

nombre del hotel y su nmero de telfono.

Now we just had to wait.

Ahora slo tenamos que esperar.

We had to wait for Johnsons new hit man.

Tuvimos que esperar al nuevo sicario de Johnson.

Tony Rizzo was dead, but I was sure that Clark Johnson had
Tony Rizzo estaba muerto, pero yo estaba segura de que Clark Johnson tena

another hit man. Another killer. We waited in Jeff s room.

otro sicario. Otro asesino. Estamos esperando en la habitacion de Jeff.

It was dark. Jeff was on the bed. Two of Gershons men

Estaba oscuro. Jeff estaba en la cama. Dos de los hombres de Gersn

waited near the window. They had their guns.

esperaban cerca de la ventana. Tenan sus pistolas.

I was behind the door with my gun. We waited one hour, two
Yo estaba detrs de la puerta con mi pistola. Esperamos una hora, dos

hours. It was late at night and the hotel was quiet.

horas. Era tarde por la noche y el hotel estaba tranquilo.

Then I heard a noise outside the door. Somebody was trying to

Entonces o un ruido fuera de la puerta. Alguien estaba intentando

get in. The door opened and I could see a man. I moved fast from
entrar. Abri la puerta y pude ver a un hombre. Me movi rpido desde

behind the door. Then I hit him over the back of his head
detrs de la puerta. Entonces yo le golpe en la parte de atrs de su cabeza

with my gun. He fell to the floor like a tree. He didnt move.

con mi pistola. Cay al suelo como un rbol. l no se mova.

I turned on the light. Gershons men came out with their guns and
Encend la luz. Los hombres de Gershon salieron con sus armas y

53

stood around him. One of them took the hit mans gun from his
lo rodearon. Uno de ellos tom la pistola del sicario de su

hand. Jeff got up from the bed and came over.

mano. Jeff se levant de la cama y vino.

I looked at the man on the floor. He was wearing black clothes

Mir al hombre en el suelo. Vesta ropa negra

and he had a black ski mask over his head. I took it off and looked
y tena un pasamontaas negro sobre su cabeza. Lo quit, y mir

at the mans face.

a la rostro del hombre.

I turned cold. I couldnt speak. Jeff looked at me.

Me puse fria. No poda hablar. Jeff me mir.

Do you know him? he asked.

"Lo conoces?", l pregunt.

54

Yes, I said quietly. Its Eddie Lang. The man who killed Scott.
'S,' dije tranquilamente. "Es Eddie Lang. El hombre que mat a Scott."

Tell me about Governor Clark Johnson, I said to Eddie Lang.

"Dime acerca del Gobernador Clark Johnson," dije a Eddie Lang.

Hes behind this, right?

"l est detrs de esto, verdad?'

Eddie Lang looked up and saw all the police around him.
Eddie Lang mir y vio toda la polica alrededor de l.

Yes, he said.
"S," l dijo.

The next day, I was in Gershons office.

al da siguiente, yo estaba en la oficina de Gersn.

Weve found Klein, he said. Hes told us everything.

"Hemos encontrado Klein," dijo. "l nos cont todo."

Bill Gershon smiled at me. Thanks, Flick, he said. Thanks for

Bill Gersn me sonri. "Gracias, Flick," dijo. "Gracias por

everything. Im sorry
todo. Lo siento ..."

Forget it, I said, smiling.

"olvidalo", le dije sonriente.

I said goodbye to Gershon and the others to Jeff and Teresa,

Me desped de Gersn y de todos de Jeff y Teresa,

and to Janine Andersons parents.

y de los padres de Janine Anderson.

Thank you, said Gene Anderson. Thank you so much.

'Gracias', dijo Gene Anderson. "Muchas gracias por todo."

Then I got in my red Chevy and drove out of Pine Crest and
Luego entre a mi Chevy rojo y conduje a Pine Crest y

onto the highway. I looked back at the beautiful Rocky

en la carretera. Mir atrs a las hermosas Montaas

Mountains. The mountains were white and the sky was blue.
Rocosas. Las montaas son de color blanco y el cielo estaba azul.

55

Life was almost good. Janine Andersons killer was dead. Ricky
La vida era casi buena. El asesino de Janine Anderson estaba muerto. Ricky

Klein was going to prison for twenty years and Alpine Resorts was
Klein fue a la crcel por veinte aos y Alpine Resorts fue

finished. Better than that, Clark Johnson, Governor of

d e s t r u i d o . Mejor que eso, Clark Johnson, gobernador de

Colorado, was finished too. He could never be

Colorado, fue destruido tambin. l nunca podra ser

President of the United States now.

Presidente de los Estados Unidos ahora.

I thought about Scott. I could feel him smiling at me. Good

He pensado en Scott. Yo poda sentir que l me sonrea. 'Buen

work, Flick, I could hear him say.

trabajo, Flick', yo poda orlo decir.

And, perhaps best of all, I thought, Eddie Lang was going to prison
Y, quizs lo mejor de todo, pens, Eddie Lang fue ir a prisin

for a very long time! Yes, life was good.

por un tiempo muy largo! S, era una buena vida.

I was in my red Chevy and life was good.

Yo estaba en mi Chevy rojo y la vida era buena.

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