Black Ice (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Read Free Page B

a house of fun, The Snowflake Lodge gained a reputation as one of the best places for family vacations. She’d come here a few times with her family and enjoyed her stay. The winter storms covered the shrubs on the outside with snow, and icicles hung from the rooftop. In a way, it looked like someone’s own personal winter wonderland.
    Ryder didn’t bother holding the glass door open for her as they stepped in and found the counter clerk. He flashed the young girl his badge and asked for Robert Stevens’s room number. She gave it to him and pointed them toward the massive staircase while she gave directions to find the room.
    The luxury ski resort prided itself on design and coordination. Plush leather couches and hardwood floors made a distinctive impression on her when she walked in the door. The resort comforted its guests. Families came from all around to enjoy their winter vacation.
    Ryder ascended the stairs, stomping up each one with Blake lugging behind. Her eyes drifted to his toned back, narrow waist, and tight butt. She caught herself staring a bit longer than she should have and mentally scolded herself. She could not think of Ryder James that way.
    He found the room and rapped his knuckles on the door. “Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, it’s Detectives James and Warren. Can you please open the door?”
    Blake leaned against the wall, waiting. Footsteps inside the room sounded before the click of the lock. The door opened. Robert Stevens, a high-class man, distinguished himself with expensive suits and manicured look. Standing before the detectives, he looked like an average man, completely grief stricken with the loss of his daughter. Red-rimmed eyes stared at them with annoyance and anger as he greeted them, stepping out into the hallway.
    “I’d prefer you leave my wife out of this. She’s sedated and having a hard enough time over Sophie’s death. I don’t need you badgering her.” He crossed his arms.
    He wore a white T-shirt and baggy sweatpants. Blake studied the college emblem on the front noting the wear. Robert Stevens was an Ohio State fan.
    “Tell us about last night.” Ryder flipped open his notepad and waited with a pen in hand.
    “We had our annual Christmas party last night. All the employees at Stevens Enterprises attended along with Sophie and Rick. Rick is her fiancé. He works for the company as head of the development department. He and Sophie planned on getting married January first.” He paused, lost in thought for a moment, before he pulled himself back into the conversation. “From what I saw, she’d had a good time. She danced a bit and smiled often, the same way Sophie always does. She was a happy girl—woman. I overheard my assistant say something about Rick making her mad. They argued in the back hallway, and I confronted her about it. She just told me not to worry.”
    Ryder took some notes. “Do you know what they argued about?”
    “No.”
    “Did you see Sophie leave the premises?”
    The older man shook his head. “No. She told me goodbye on her way out. She wanted to go home. I told her not to worry about anything. My wife and I gave her a Christmas present, and she left.”
    “What kind of present did you get her?”
    “A check for twenty-five thousand dollars. I agreed to pay the down payment for the house she and Rick wanted to buy.”
    Blake noted that Richard’s expression changed every time he said Sophie’s fiancé’s name. She drove Rick’s car and had a twenty-five thousand dollar check. They didn’t find a check in Sophie’s possession when they searched the car. “Sir, excuse my bluntness, but did you and her fiancé get along?”
    Richard glanced down. “Sure. His father is a good friend of mine.”
    Ryder looked up from his notes. “If you don’t mind, I’d like you to list the people you sat with and talked to that night. Anyone you can think of that came in contact with your daughter.”
    Robert nodded. “Sure.” He rattled off