Free Peril at Granite Peak by Franklin W. Dixon

traded an amused look with Frank. “Sure thing,” I said. “I’ll take Nate.”
    Frank nodded. “Then Rick’s mine. Let’s go.”
    I headed back toward the dining room. Before I got there, I spotted Nate and Cassie emerging into the lobby. That was easy.
    â€œHey, guys,” I said, hurrying over. “Listen, Nate, I wanted to ask you something.”
    â€œSure thing.” Nate smiled. His arm was around Cassie’s shoulders, and he looked relaxed and happy. “Ask away.”
    â€œIt’s about your little tiff with Stanley Wright at dinner the other night . . . ,” I began.
    Suddenly Nate’s whole demeanor changed. His face went tight and grim, and his body stiffened.
    â€œCassie, sweetie,” he said loudly, cutting me off. “I think I left my camera somewhere. Would you mind checking in the dining room? I’ll run upstairs and see if it’s in our room.”
    Cassie looked slightly surprised, but she nodded. “Of course. Meet you back here in a few?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Thanks, babe.” He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek.
    As Cassie headed back into the dining room, Nate grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the stairs. “Come with me,” he whispered loudly.
    â€œOkay.” Not that I had much choice. The dude was apparently just as strong as he looked, judging by his iron grip.
    Soon we were in the upstairs hallway. Nate cast a cautious look around, but there was nobody in sight.
    â€œListen,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “About Stanley . . .”
    I held my breath. Was he about to confess?
    â€œYeah?” I said. “What about him?”
    Nate sighed and rubbed one meaty hand over his face. “Look, sorry for yanking you up here like that. It’s just that I really don’t want Cassie to know I went off on that jerk Stanley at dinner the other night. She’s always after me about my temper, and I know better than to let a guy like that push my buttons, you know?”
    â€œOkay,” I said, a little confused. “Um, so what did he say to you that night, anyway?”
    â€œHe was complaining about this place.” Nate waved a hand to indicate the lodge. “He was being pretty rude about it, saying he didn’t know why anyone would want to come to a dump like this.”
    I shrugged. “Sounds like Stanley.”
    Nate nodded. “But see, Cassie’s the one who wanted to honeymoon here, so I took it as an insult to her. Guess I was a little too sensitive, huh?” He actually cracked a smile. “It’s a lot easier to ignore Stanley now that I’ve realized he complains about everything.”
    â€œYeah.”
    Nate glanced at his watch. “Anyway, I should get back to Cass,” he said. “We’re scheduled to attend that wildlife lecture Mr. Gallagher is giving this morning. You going?”
    â€œUm, I don’t think so. But have fun.” I vaguely recalled seeing a sign in the lobby about the lecture. The Gallaghers had scheduled several different indoor activities today. Probably trying to keep their snowbound guests from going stir-crazy.
    Nate hurried for the stairs. I turned the opposite way, heading for my suite. I was pretty sure I’d stuck a notebook and pen in my bag. Might as well grab them in case I needed to jot down notes about the case.
    When I emerged from the suite, I headed for the back stairwell nearby. I might as well go down that way—it wascloser, plus it would give me a chance to take a look around near the scene of last night’s rescue.
    As soon as I opened the stairwell door, a blast of cold air hit me. That was weird, since the rest of the lodge was toasty warm.
    Or maybe not so weird. There was a window on the landing halfway down, and I could see that it was wide open. Had the wind done it? I had no clue, but I hurried down the first flight of steps and shut it. I’d have