“Well, I won’t say anything.”

“I appreciate that. I also need to ask you a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I need a place to stay.”

The look on her face said it all. She really wanted to help him, but what he was asking was a major imposition. Despite the camaraderie that existed between all of the freestyle skiers, even if they were from different countries, Jackie’s husband had always viewed Scot as competition both on and off the hill. Rolf was extremely jealous of him and was not happy with the way Scot occasionally showed up for a visit or a letter from him would appear in the post. Scot’s last visit had not gone well, and Jackie and Rolf had fought for over a week when he forbade her to ever see or speak to Scot again. Rolf would prefer that he was out of Jackie’s life for good.

“You know you’re not Rolf’s favorite person.”

“I know, and I have felt bad about it ever since I was last here. I didn’t mean to upset him.”

“I think it’s more his problem than anything else. He’s always felt threatened by you.”

“I don’t know why. He’s a good-looking guy with a beautiful wife and both a successful business and political career. He’s still active in politics here, isn’t he?”

“Oh, yeah. More than ever. Listen, like I said, the whole thing between you two was always his problem more than anything else.”

“Jackie, I’m sorry to put you out. If I thought there was anywhere else I could go, I would. It’s just I’ve got some very heavy things to work out, and I need to stay somewhere safe. I don’t think anyone would come looking for me at your place. I know this is a burden, but I need your help.”

Chewing on her bottom lip, she swirled the raspberry-colored liquid in her wineglass. “In one sense you’re lucky. First, I was around to get your message. You think you’re so smart. Full-double-full-full? You don’t think if Rolf had gotten that note he wouldn’t have been suspicious?”

Scot grinned sheepishly.

“Second,” said Jackie, ignoring the cute look on Scot’s face, “he’s in Bern for a week with his political party, so it won’t be too tough to keep you hidden away.”

Harvath breathed a sigh of relief as Jackie continued, “We’ve been rehabbing part of the Herberge for the summer. I can put you in one of the completed rooms, and no one should even notice. There’s a lot of sawdust in the halls, you still have to use coins for hot showers, and there will be no maid service, but my guess is you’re willing to accept the room under those conditions.”

“You are absolutely right. I owe you big time.”

“Yes, you do. Now, how do I get you the key?” wondered Jackie as she bit down once again on her pouty, strawberry pink lip. “Ah. I’ll leave it with a note under one of the garbage cans in the alley behind the main building. We have about six cans, all painted bright red. One of them is smaller than the others. I’ll put it under there. All I ask is that you use the back stairs and try not to draw any attention to yourself.”

“Believe me, I have no intention of doing that.”

“Could have fooled me with that haircut and dye job of yours.”

They both laughed, and Scot reached across the table and took Jackie’s soft, freckled hand. She tensed at first and then relaxed.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Jackie. I don’t know who else I could have turned to.”

“Well, even if Rolf was in town, we would have found a way to deal with this. You and I go back a long way.”

“We certainly do.”

“I just hope you can get yourself out of this mess you’re in.”

“I will. Don’t worry.”

Jackie gave his hand a squeeze and rose from the table. “I take it drinks are on you?”

“You bet. When can I look for the key?”

“The garbage was picked up this morning, so I don’t think there’ll be any problem if you try in about an hour. You remember the back way, round by the volleyball court?”

“You have the volleyball court going even in the cold?”

“Scot, have you forgotten the stupid stuff we used to do in the middle of winter after a couple of drinks?”

“Yes,” he said, smiling.

“Liar. Anyway, I’ll have you know winter volleyball happens to be a huge draw with our young clientele. I’ll have the key there within the hour.”

Jackie gave his hair a ruffle and let out a disapproving sigh. “You used to be such a handsome guy,” she joked.

“Thanks a bunch, Jack.”

“I’ll see you later.”

She gathered her purse and coat. Scot watched her disappear out the front door and then reappear outside the window as she made her way up the Jungfraustrasse back to Balmer’s Herberge.

He finished his beer and decided to retrieve his bag at the station, then wander around town to kill some time before heading up to the hostel.

49

The key and a note were left under the smallest red garbage can, just as promised. The little map Jackie had drawn showed that his room was in the far south end of the structure just off the main building. Despite the fact that broad daylight made it difficult not to be seen, Harvath managed to get inside and up to his floor without being noticed.

As he climbed the stairs, his nose was greeted by the sweet smell of fresh lumber. The Herberge itself looked like something out of an old Heidi movie. It was a typical Swiss-style chalet, wood inside and out. Painted under all of the gables were scenes of historical Swiss daily life. Flower boxes hung from every window.

Dodging assorted construction debris, Scot found his room and opened the door. Jackie had made the bed and left him several bottles of mineral water, cheese, a couple of apples, bread, a salami, an electric coffeepot with coffee, dishes, a fork, a knife, and a spoon. Next to these staples was a notepad with writing on the top sheet that read: “By the way, none of this stuff is free. It all goes on your bill. Enjoy your stay. J.”

She hadn’t changed one single bit, and thank God for that. Scot didn’t know what he would have done without her. Staying at a regular hotel would have been tricky. They would have requested he leave his passport as a deposit. As it stood now, he didn’t want either of the two he carried to be out of his possession.

The floor, the walls, and the gently sloping ceiling were all constructed from beautiful blond wood. The double bed had white sheets and a red checkered comforter. There was a sink off on one wall, and he figured the toilets were down the hall next to the showers he had seen. Per Jackie’s suggestion, Scot had changed some of his paper money for five-franc pieces at the Interlaken post office so he could enjoy a shower with hot water in the morning. He’d also bought a couple of envelopes and some stamps. He set the coins on the counter next to the sink.

Feeling a bit warm, he opened the casement windows just a crack. They opened outward like mini French doors. In her note Jackie had mentioned that the workmen often opened them during the day but that he must remember to close them at night, or one of the staff might come up to investigate. He kicked off his shoes and sat down on the bed. From a blue plastic bag, he withdrew the purchase he had made at a shop just around the corner from the Herberge.

When Scot had passed a gun store called the Waffenhaus Schneider, he couldn’t believe his luck. Though he wasn’t a Swiss citizen and couldn’t purchase a real firearm, something else sat smiling out at him from the display window.

Harvath entered and admired the wide range of weaponry. As he moved from section to section, he finally settled in front of a display by the window that read, “New from Tokyo. Airsoft!” Airsoft products were a line of authentic-looking replica firearms that fired six-millimeter plastic balls. They were so realistic that they were used in Hollywood movies and by several federal and local law enforcement agencies for training. The toy guns came in revolver models, semiautomatics, machine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles…you name it and Tokyo Marui made it.