Speed Times Five Read Free Page A

Kelly Hawk headed for the main lodge while Lupin followed Kendall toward an A-frame building marked Administration.
    As the Hardys and Hawk neared the lodge entrance, a man and a woman in matching red-and-white uniforms came out of the main doors.
    â€œMs. Hawk,” the woman said, a look of disapproval marring her pretty face, “my brother and I think it is wrong of you to use this race for your political purposes.”
    â€œAs opposed to the commercial purposes you and your brother are using it for, Victoria?” Hawk said archly.
    â€œWe have entered the race for the thrill of the competition,” the man said. “If our fame is spread by our victories”—he shrugged—“so much the better.”
    â€œGeorges,” Hawk said, “you’d give your eye teeth to get an American sponsor endorsement—don’t pretend you wouldn’t.”
    â€œNo need to be hostile about this,” Victoria said. “Perhaps we could have a more civilized discussion some other time.”
    Hawk’s dark brown eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me a savage?” she hissed.
    The man and woman looked shocked. “No, no,” Georges said. “We did not intend it that way. Just, perhaps, that we should speak later. Adieu.” He and his sister turned and jogged off together toward the administration building.
    â€œWho were they?” Joe asked.
    â€œVictoria and Georges Clemenceau,” Hawk said. “Hotshot local athletes looking to make their names across the border. Snobs.” She turned herhead and spat onto the grass. “Look, I’ll see you boys later. I’ve got some things to do.” She turned and headed toward the gondola platform, pulling a cell phone out of her pocket as she went.
    â€œWhy didn’t she use the phone when we were trapped on the chairlift?” Joe asked, slightly annoyed.
    Frank shrugged. “I guess she wasn’t any more worried than we were,” he said. He pushed open the door to the main lodge and they both went inside.
    The entry opened into a large, wide room with a high ceiling supported by huge timber beams. On one side, a lounge with tall floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the ski slopes. A large stone fireplace was set in a short wall between the windows. Tables and chairs surrounded the fireplace, which—due to the season—had no fire burning in it.
    To the right of the entryway, a passage led from the main room to the guest rooms beyond. To the left sat the lodge’s registration desk, which was serving as a check-in area for the contestants.
    Joe and Frank went to the desk and checked themselves in. The clerk behind the counter assigned them a room for the night and gave them a set of keys.
    â€œThe last real bed we’ll see for a while,” Joe said, wagging the keys in his hand. “Enjoy it while you can.”
    Frank was about to reply when the door of the lodge burst open and a tall, burly man surged through. “Outrageous!” he said, almost shouting.“Someone could have been hurt. Why wasn’t the lift checked before the event started?”
    A member of the race staff trailed after him, nodding obsequiously. “I assure you, Mr. Baldwin, the lifts were checked before anyone used them. It was an accident, that’s all.”
    Behind Baldwin and the staff member came three college students—two men and a woman—all wearing UMass T-shirts.
    â€œWell, tell Bennett that he needs to get his act together,” Baldwin said. He stalked over to the desk and held out his hand. “Give me my room key.”
    â€œWho’s that?” Joe whispered as he and Frank walked away from the desk.
    â€œRoger Baldwin,” offered one of the students, a thin man with dark curly hair and big sideburns. “He’s a former Ironman triathlete, and I guess he’s trying to switch sports.” The student extended his hand. “I’m Quentin