Bullwinkle’s was the kind of place that made people feel welcome. The walls were covered in bric-a-brac: old wooden skis, bent license plates, antique snowshoes, neon beer signs, Coca Cola posters from the forties—junk to some, treasures to others. Lumped together, it gave the bar a friendly, exciting vibe that drew locals, tourists, and skiers alike.

Kade set a hand on her waist as Ellie made her way through the crush of customers seated at wooden tables. The place was noisy, people in jeans, sweaters, and winter boots laughing and talking, but the late-October crowd was probably minimal compared to the throng that showed up after the mountain opened for the season.

“Do you know any of the bartenders?” Ellie asked.

Kade glanced toward the two guys working behind the big rectangular bar in the middle of the room. Then his gaze traveled to the sexy young women serving food and drinks. In a town like Vail with so much to offer, the competition for jobs was fierce. Businesses had their choice of the best-looking, most competent employees.

“I might know some of the servers.”

She frowned, catching a faint note of that same something she had heard earlier in his voice. “How long since you’ve been here?”

Kade looked at her, then away. “I was here in August, a month or so before they found Heather’s car.”

“Why do I have a feeling there’s something you’re not telling me?”

“Hey, Kade!” One of the female servers with a tray flat on her palm sashayed toward him. She slid an arm around Kade’s neck and pressed a quick kiss on his mouth. “I wondered when you’d get around to coming back.”

A flush rose in his lean cheeks. He glanced down and read the name badge pinned to the twenty-something’s impressive chest. “Savannah, this is Ellie. Ellie, meet Savannah.”

Savannah’s assessing glance swung from Kade to Ellie and back. She flashed him an unrepentant grin. “I thought you said it was like bringing sand to the beach.”

The flush deepened. “Yeah, well, I guess in this case that doesn’t apply.”

Savannah shrugged, lifting the high, round globes beneath her tight white sweater. A pair of black stretch pants were tucked into her tall black boots, and a silver-studded belt rode low on her waist.

Savannah flashed him a sexy smile. “Well, that’s too bad.”

Kade ignored the comment. “Ellie’s a private detective, Savannah. If you get a minute, maybe you could help us.”

Savannah seemed intrigued. “Sure. I have a break in about fifteen minutes.”

“We’ll wait,” Ellie said.

As the female server hip-swayed toward the bar to refill her drink tray, Kade led Ellie over to a wooden table, and they sat down.

“Pretty girl,” Ellie said. “I get the impression you two are more than just friends.”