‘Do you think Kit Foley thought it might boost his reputation to be linked with you?’

‘You’d have to ask him that.’

Clover bit her lip. Blood. Stone. ‘. . . The snowboarding community is known for its camaraderie but Foley has been noticeably excluded, some might even say ostracized by the other riders.’

‘People are too quick to judge. They believe what they read – or see.’ His eyes narrowed accusingly.

‘Has it never troubled you, Kit’s role in Cory Allbright’s accident?’

‘No.’

Clover’s eyebrows hiked up. ‘He’s never denied that he deliberately breached Cory’s priority on the wave. He blocked his line and effectively forced him into the water. The wave picked Cory up as it broke and held him under . . . You don’t find that troubling?’

He inhaled sharply. ‘Kit and I have spoken privately, and at length, about what went on that day. I am satisfied with what he told me. I do not believe he is a danger to the other athletes.’

‘So you hold Kit blameless?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘But you don’t seem to be holding him to any account. At the very least, he is guilty of gross gamesmanship.’

‘. . . It’s against the spirit of sport, but not the law.’

Clover had to look away; she could feel her anger surging. Johnny was watching her, a look of caution in his eyes.

‘Okay, I just have one more question for the moment – do you believe he’ll make it to the top?’

There was a long pause. ‘I do.’

Her eyes narrowed. ‘You don’t sound sure.’

‘He’ll make it – but only if he wants it more than anything else.’

‘You’re not sure he does?’

‘I’m not sure he knows yet.’

Clover looked at Johnny. He gave her the ‘OK’ sign and she pulled back. ‘Thanks, we appreciate you giving us your time.’

He gave her a sceptical look with a half-nod, still no smile. He went to walk off—

‘Actually, I have a question for you,’ he said, turning back to them.

‘Yes?’

‘. . . Did something happen last night?’

Clover looked at him blankly. ‘Last night?’

‘Yeah. He’s been like a bear with a sore head this morning.’

‘We all have sore heads this morning,’ Johnny said. ‘There was a big night at the M+M bar last night and from what I saw, Kit seemed like he was . . .’ He swallowed, as if his brain was finally catching up with his mouth, and gave her a sidelong look. ‘Having a good time.’

‘Hmm.’ Tipper frowned, his gaze swinging from Johnny back to Clover again. ‘Well, whatever it was that riled him, we could do with more of it. He’s been riding like a demon today.’

‘I thought he was holding back,’ Clover said. ‘Because of his injuries?’