Chapter 2

That weekend, they made their way up to the resort, Michael in Kitt, and Cara following behind in Star.

Michael looked around as they approached. "I'm telling ya, Kitt. There's nothing like spending time in the mountains to make you appreciate nature's beauty."

"If you say so. Although, I still fail to see why we had to bring that talking silver bullet with us."

"Look at it this way, buddy. Doesn't hurt to have a spare."

"You must be joking."

Cara took in the view as well. "It's beautiful up here. Did you see the look on Jon's face when we told him where we were going?"

"Cara," said Star, "I've been doing some research of this so-called 'Dusty's Peak'."

"Oh yeah?"

"Top elevation, 10,087 feet. One of the highest points in this state. The early Native Americans in this area.."

"Star, we're on vacation."

"May I finish?"

"Sorry."

"As I was saying, the early Native Americans in this area used to refer to 'Dusty's Peak' as 'The Giver of Life'."

"That's an odd name to give a mountain. Why name it that?"

"No one knows. It's been a mystery for a long time."

"Well, maybe we'll find out while we're here." She and Michael soon came upon the property. There was a sign at the entrance with a slightly heavy set man with a cowboy hat, smiling and giving a thumb's up, the mountain behind him. They pulled up and parked in front of the main building.

They got out and began to unload their suitcases. A woman with short, curly, blond hair came outside to meet them. "Hi, I'm Amy O'Rourke."

The tall man turned and greeted her. "Michael Knight. This is my daughter, Cara. We spoke on the phone?"

"Oh yes. Nice to meet you both. Normally, I'd have another member of the staff here to greet you, but it's not everyday someone pays to stay the whole week."

"That brochure you sent out sold me. I bet you've got your hands full this time of year." He gave her a smile.

She was flustered. "Well, actually…"

Meanwhile, Eric and Griffin were about to go on their lunch break, when something caught the younger man's eye.

"Hey, Grif." Eric said. "Check it out." He motioned towards the pretty redhead with blue eyes that had just pulled up. "And you said there weren't going to be any snow bunnies this year."

"Ah, forget it, Eric. Look at that chain around her neck. Girl like that's probably too high class for you."

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that." He made his way over. "Hey Aunt Amy. You gonna introduce me?"

"I suppose." she joked. "This is my nephew, Eric O'Rourke. Eric, this is Mr. Knight," they shook hands, "and his daughter, Cara."

"Hi."

"Hi." Cara said back, politely.

"They will be staying with us for the week, so I want you to be extra nice to them, understand."

He smiled at the girl. "Not a problem." Kitt felt a twinge of annoyance in his systems.

"I better get the rest of our things." Cara said, walking back over to Star.

"Of course." said Amy. "Eric why don't you help her while I take Mr. Knight inside to finish the paperwork? Show her where they'll be staying."

"Sure thing."

"Oh, and Eric?" She threw him a set of keys.

"Yeah?"

"Behave yourself." Michael smiled and followed behind her.

Eric walked over to Cara. "So, is this your first time skiing?"

"Yeah. I grew up back East, but I've never been to a ski resort before."

"Don't sweat it. I can give you some lessons if you need to learn how."

"Have you been skiing long?"

"Almost as long as I could walk. It's a cinch once you know how. I just started to give lessons. Just until I can pay back some loans and save up to buy a new car. My dad has his own dealership."

"Really?" She pulled out another suitcase.

"Yeah." he said, trying to impress her. "He says he'll give me a good deal when I got enough cash. Gonna be flashy too. Like a BMW."

"Sounds nice."

"Now take these Trans Ams for instance. Sure, they look nice for their age, but they're just tricked out gas guzzlers."

"Uh-huh." Cara said. 'Gas guzzlers? Kitt and Star aren't going to like that.' And they didn't. "Could you get the rest of my father's things from his car?"

"Sure." Eric walked over to the black car with its trunk opened. "Now, like I was saying, I…" The trunk slammed shut as he approached. He tried to open it. "Like I was….It's locked."

Cara shut Star's trunk. "Here, I've got it." She walked over and opened it, but it shut as Eric tried to reach in again.

"Must be something wrong with your release mechanism. I can get you a good deal on a trade in if you want."

Cara could swear she heard Kitt's frustrated growl. "Uh, actually, my dad and I are very happy with our cars. But I will take you up on those skiing lessons."

"That's…great…" Eric grunted, trying the best he could to open the trunk. "But…if you ever…do want a new….Man!"

"Here, maybe the problem's up front." She opened the cabin. "Kitt, what are you doing?" she whispered.

"He needs to be taught a few manners. And why would you take skiing instructions from someone like that anyway?"

"Because I don't know how?"

"Uh, a little help here?" Eric groaned.

"Come on, Kitt. Cut him a break. He doesn't know any better." He was silent. "Besides, guys in BMWs don't impress me."

The A.I. pressed a button, and the trunk opened, causing Eric to step back. "Very well. As long as he behaves himself."

"Thank you."

"Gas guzzlers indeed."

Cara closed the door. "We all set?"

"Yup. It's right over there. Cabin 5." They made the short walk over. As they got closer, Cara saw that there was glass on the porch. Eric noticed it too. "Oh no." They ran up. He quickly unlocked the door and they stepped inside.

The place was completely trashed.

Michael and Amy made their way up to the main building. "Great scenery you got here." Michael said. "But if you don't mind my saying, things look kinda slow."

"Some years are better than others. Business took a real tumble when my father died two years ago. That's him on the sign back there."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Thanks. Don't worry. There's at least two other families that'll be staying here with you." She opened the door to the main hall.

Michael instantly noticed the sheet over the windows and some of the glass that was still on the floor. "What happened here?"

"Oh that. Yeah. Someone caught us off guard. Probably some drunk hunter from town."

"Why would he bother you?"

"Don't really know. A lot of people have been angry with me lately. Since business has been bad, I've had to let some of my staff go." She stopped when she noticed Michael paying attention. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't bother you with my problems."

"That's alright. Hey, if you need help finding out who did it…"

"Thank you, Mr. Knight, but…"

"Michael."

"Michael. I'm sure it was just an isolated incident. You and your daughter just enjoy your vacation." She walked behind the main desk.

"We will." He looked over the forms and signed them. "Everything looks okay. Here ya go."

"Thanks." Amy said, smiling at him. "So…Michael. What do you do for a living?"

"Well, I uh…"

Suddenly Cara ran into the main hall. "Dad, come quick!" Michael and Amy both followed her back to the cabin.

They stepped inside. Furniture was over turned. Small vases and glasses were broken. Food was splattered.

"Who would do this?" Amy asked.

"I know who." said Eric. "It was Pete."

"Whose Pete?" asked Michael.

"Our head janitor. But he'd never do something like this."

"Oh no?" Eric said. "He was the last one in here, wasn't he? He was the only one outside before the shots went off in the hall."

"Eric please. That's enough." Amy turned to Cara and Michael. "I'm sorry about this. I want to make it up to you. How about I let you both stay in our best cabin? No extra charge."

"Oh, that isn't necessary."

"It's got extra parking for your vehicles, so they don't have to stay in the parking lot."

At that moment, both comlinks beeped. "We'll take it." Michael said. "Just as long as you let us help you clean this up."

"It's a deal." They began to straighten things around.

Cara had the feeling they were being watched. She turned and saw the man who had been with Eric earlier, looking on from the bottom of the porch.

He noticed her…and walked away.