by Hope White
Her automatic reaction was to argue, to come up with all sorts of reasons why she didn’t want to be dumped at the resort into the midst of her overbearing family, but she stopped herself. There was something about his voice, a hint of desperation that made her reconsider.
“What’s the plan?” she said.
“You’ll stay at Echo Mountain Resort while I’m gone, either in your sister’s cottage or in a resort room, but please don’t go anywhere alone.” He paused. “I’m sorry if that sounds like an order, but I don’t know a nicer way to say it.”
“I understand.”
And she did. Somehow she was able to appreciate Nate’s concern for her well-being without growing defensive.
“What’s wrong?” he said.
“Why do you think something’s wrong?”
“You’re being too agreeable. I mean it, Cassie, no leaving the resort.”
“I know.”
“And stay out of sight if possible.”
“Ten-four, Chief.”
He pulled up to the front of the resort, got out of the car and opened the door for her, his eyes scanning the parking lot.
“I got it from here,” Aiden said, approaching them.
“I thought you’d be on the team heading up to Lake Mirage Overlook,” Nate said.
“Too much going on here today. Besides, I heard it was just a sprained ankle.”
“And Becca’s missing,” Cassie said.
“Missing?” Aiden questioned, looking at Nate.
“I’ll know more when I get up there.”
Aiden nodded at Cassie. “Okay, I’ll take care of trouble here.”
Cassie would have normally shot off a retort to her brother, but she couldn’t be bothered. Not when she feared for Nate’s safety. Who knew what trouble he’d find once he reached the spot where Becca had disappeared?
“Be careful,” she said, only this time she didn’t touch his cheek. She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. When he didn’t return the gesture she thought maybe she’d crossed a line. But it was her way of wishing him well.
Just as she released him, his arms tightened around her back and he held on for a few seconds. He leaned forward and whispered, “Be safe. Promise?”
“Promise,” she uttered, barely able to speak against the ball of emotion tightening in her throat.
He released her and without making eye contact, got into his car and drove off.
* * *
It was almost as if the hug had energized him, Nate thought as he practically sprinted up the incline of the trail. The first team radioed that they were nearly at the site, and Nate wanted to get there as quickly as possible. He’d called his sister at Healthy Eats, described the FBI agent, and asked her to let him know Nate wouldn’t be back for their meeting.
Joining Nate on the mission was Officer “Red” Carrington and Nate’s friend Will Rankin, a widower who was dating Detective Vaughn. None of the men spoke much as they motored up the mountain with purpose.
The other team would probably take the lead on assisting the injured hiker, while Nate and Red would search the surrounding area for clues as to what happened to Becca. He’d send Will back down with the first team, not wanting to put the single father in danger.
“Hey, speedy,” Will said, short of breath.
Nate glanced at his friend.
“I’m in good shape and you’re killin’ me here. Trevor’s team is perfectly capable of dealing with a sprained ankle.”
It wasn’t just the thought of the injured hiker that made Nate run uphill. It was the look on Cassie’s face, the look of worry about her friend being in trouble.
Nate would do anything to ease her fears, to make her smile.
“Nate, say something, grunt, anything,” Will pushed.
Red chuckled.
Nate slowed down a bit. “Sorry.”
“What’s really going on here?” Will asked.
“Guess I’m worried about Becca Edwards. She’s gone missing.”
“I know that, but I assumed she slipped and took a tumble or something. Is there more to this?”
Nate motioned for Red to hike ahead, while Nate hung back with his friend. “Her apartment was tossed. We can’t rule out foul play, which is why I want you to head down with team one once we get to the injured hiker.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Red and I will search the area for clues, some indication as to what happened to her.”
“Well, if she needed help, she should have activated her locator beacon.”
“True. In a way, I’m hoping she intentionally disappeared.”
“That makes no sense. A trail guide wouldn’t abandon her tour group.”
“There’s a lot that hasn’t made sense since we found a dead woman at the Whispering Pines cabin.”
“Yeah, I heard about that.”
Nate glanced at him. “News gets around in a small town.”
“Smaller when you’re dating the lead detective.” Will smiled.
Nate hadn’t seen him smile like that for years, since his wife had died.
For a brief second Nate wondered if that’s how he looked when he thought about Cassie.
“Speaking of dating...” Will started. “You been out on any lately?”
“No time.”
“You seem to be spending a lot of time with Cassie.”
“She’s a witness in a murder investigation.”
“I meant before that.”
“She comes into the station to get ideas for the community blog.”
“She’s a sweet lady.”
“Who’s traveling to the far corners of the world once she gets enough money.”
“Maybe she just needs a good reason to stay.”
“Can we focus on the mission?” Nate said.
Will winked. “Which one?”
“Chief, I see the group up ahead,” Red called out.
Nate and Will picked up their pace and reached the tour group within minutes. The first team seemed to have it under control. They had wrapped the ankle, secured the hiker to the litter, and were ready to head down.
“Sorry if this was a wasted trip for you,” Nate said to Will.
“Any day out here in the mountains is a blessing, not a waste. I’d be happy to stay and help you look for Becca.”
Nate recalled the incident when Will suffered from amnesia after being injured by a criminal in the mountains. He would not put his friend at risk again.
“No, we’re good.” Nate looked at the hikers, who assembled to head back down. “May I have your attention?”
They glanced in his direction.
“I’m Chief Walsh with Echo Mountain PD. Who spoke with your trail guide before she disappeared?”
A woman raised her hand.
“Are you Tanya?” Nate asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll need to talk to you for a second. Anyone else speak with Becca Edwards?”
They shook their heads that they hadn’t.
“I’m asking for a refund, that’s for sure,” a fiftyish man said.
“Don’t be so heartless, Roger,” a woman about the same age scolded. “What if something happened to the poor girl?”
Roger shrugged.
“So, no one else spoke with the guide, or noticed anything unusual?” Nate said.
“She seemed nervous,” a man offered. He was in his midforties, wearing a blue ski cap with the letter B on the front, and dark sunglasses.
“And you are?”
“Owen Banks.” He shook Nate’s hand.
“How did she seem nervous, Owen?”
“The way she looked around, like sh
e was worried about something.”
“There are bears out here,” Will offered.
Nate looked at Tanya. “Did you sense Becca was nervous?”
“Not particularly.”
“Thanks.” Nate motioned for them to rejoin the group.
“You sure you don’t want me to help search for her?” Will offered.
“I’m sure.”
Nate sent the hikers back down. He and Red got to work following the trail in the opposite direction, looking for clues.
About an hour later, Nate spotted a small glove on the ground. He picked it up. “Could be Becca’s.”
“Chief,” Red pointed up ahead. A woman’s hiking boot lay in the middle of the trail.
Twenty feet from the boot was a dark green jacket.
“What happened out here?” Red muttered.
“Let’s pack this stuff up and keep moving.”
* * *
A few hours later the sky grew dark and Nate sensed a storm brewing. Rather than backtrack, Nate decided to consider other options.
“Hang on a second.” Nate pulled out his binoculars and the topographical map. He handed the map to Red. “Can you find us the quickest way down?”
Nate peered through the binoculars, scanning the immediate area for signs of Becca. Could she still be out here, held captive by someone? He didn’t figure this for an animal attack because her jacket wasn’t torn, nor were the other items of clothing they’d found: the other glove, a scarf and a knit hat.
“Huh,” Red said.
“What?”
“If we veer left in about half a mile, the trail leads straight down to Echo Mountain Resort.”
A chill raced down Nate’s spine. Cassie was at the resort.
“Let’s move.”
* * *
It had been nearly five hours without word from Nate. Through a slit in the resort room curtains, Cassie watched the sky grow dark with angry clouds. She couldn’t stop thinking about Nate, worrying about him. To distract herself, she’d turn the television on and then turn it off, irritated by the inane programs that seemed to be on every channel. She wanted him to call or text or something.
A soft knock echoed across the room. She rushed to the door, hoping...
Instead of seeing Nate through the peephole, she saw Bree with Dasher in one arm and a grocery bag in the other.
Cassie swung open the door. “Hey.”
“Brought you dinner,” Bree said, waltzing into the room. “Ham and cheese melt sandwiches, fruit salad and raspberry brownies.” She turned and narrowed her eyes, studying Cassie. “No? I thought you liked raspberry brownies.”
“I do, it’s not that.”
“What then?” She put Dasher down and the dog sniffed his way around the room. “Wait, did Mom say something to make you feel guilty about not staying with her? I know she was upset when you said you wanted your own room. I guess I was a little miffed you didn’t want to stay with me either, but—”
“I haven’t heard from Nate.”
“Where is he?”
“He went to search for Becca. She disappeared while leading a tour group up Echo Mountain,” Cassie said, her voice pitching.
“Oh honey, I’m sorry.” Bree gave Cassie a hug and patted her back. “I’m sure he’ll find her.” She broke the hug and looked into Cassie’s eyes. “Becca’s a resourceful woman. If she’s in trouble, she’ll figure out a way to signal the chief.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“C’mon, let’s eat something. Chocolate always makes you feel better.”
* * *
Within the hour Cassie had managed to consume a sandwich and two brownies. “I was hungrier than I thought. Thanks for bringing all this food by.”
“Sure. Guess you’re lonely without your bodyguard.” Bree smiled.
“Don’t start.”
“You guys do make a cute couple.”
“How is that possible? He’s intense and brooding, and I’m chatterbox Sally.”
“It’s perfect. He never has to talk and you don’t have to compete for attention like you always had to do with us growing up.”
Cassie picked up Dasher and held him in her lap. “Don’t get me wrong, Nate’s a nice guy, but we want completely different things out of life.”
“Like?” Bree leaned back and nibbled a brownie.
“He’s got a good job in town as chief, versus me wanting to travel.”
“Police chiefs get vacation.”
“Not for months at a time.” She shook her head. “What am I talking about? We’ve never even been on a date.”
“Maybe because you haven’t been quiet long enough for him to ask?” She winked.
“Or he’s not interested.”
“Trust me.” Bree started packing up the plates. “He’s interested. Are you?”
Cassie considered the burn in her stomach. She’d just eaten, so it wasn’t hunger. She was deeply worried about Nate. On some level she knew she liked him a lot more than as a friend.
“You’re taking a long time to answer,” Bree said.
“I can’t be interested. It makes no logical sense.”
Bree chuckled. “And when did you become Miss Pragmatic? Love isn’t logical, little sister. Look at me and Scott. There is no way I should have fallen in love with a wounded stranger in the mountains. But I did.” Bree reached out and touched Cassie’s arm. “Love is surprising and wonderful and glorious. You need to trust it.” She stood. “I’m going to the lobby to get a cup of tea. You want one?”
“Sure.”
Bree went to the door. “Do you have a preference?”
“Anything will be fine,” Cassie said, gently stroking the dog’s fur.
“Hey, Cassie?”
Cassie glanced at her sister.
“I’m sure Nate will call soon.”
Just then the nightstand phone rang.
“See,” Bree said with a smile and shut the door.
Still holding Dasher, Cassie went to answer the phone, wondering why Nate hadn’t called her cell.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Your friend is dead,” a deep male voice said. “You’re next, unless you—”
Cassie slammed down the phone and stepped back. It rang again. And kept ringing. What should she do? Nate ordered her not to go anywhere alone, so she shouldn’t leave the room. But now a threatening man was calling. Did he know her room number? No, the front desk wouldn’t give out that information.
She couldn’t stand the ringing phone, so she unplugged it from the wall. She was safe. No one could get to her in this room.
Her cell rang and she hesitated before answering. Now she was being paranoid. She pulled it out of her pocket and eyed the screen. It was Nate. Relief washed over her.
“Nate, they keep calling so I unplugged—”
Pounding on the sliding glass door made her shriek.
TEN
The dog burst into a round of high-pitched barks.
“Cassie, what’s wrong?” Nate said.
“The slider, someone’s trying to get in.”
“Cassie, it’s Tony!” a muffled voice called from the other side of the glass. “Open the door! I need to talk to you!”
“Cassie!” Nate said through the line.
“It’s Tony, Becca’s boyfriend. Maybe he knows what happened to her.”
Cassie whipped open the curtain. A wild-eyed Tony motioned to the door. Sliding it open, Cassie said, “What are you doing here?”
He eyed the phone. “Who are you talking to?”
“Chief Walsh, he’s—”
Tony snatched the phone out of her hand and turned it off.
“Hey, I was
talking.”
“Listen to—”
“You owe me an explanation. Becca disappeared from her tour group and they sent out a search team and—”
“Enough!” he said.
Cassie bit her tongue, wanting to give him a piece of her mind for raising his voice. Instead, Dasher protested for her, barking his displeasure.
“Shut that thing up,” Tony said. “I’ve gotta talk to you.”
“Don’t speak to us that way.”
He reached for the dog, but Cassie turned away in a protective posture. “I’ll put him in the bathroom.” She marched across the room and kissed the dog on the head. “Just for a few minutes, Dasher.”
She shut the door and turned to Tony. “Give me my phone.”
“After we talk.” He slipped her phone into his pocket.
Trusting her instincts, Cassie kept her position a good ten feet away from Tony. His wild black hair practically stood straight up, and his skin was unusually pale, almost white, accentuating dark circles under his eyes.
“What happened to Becca?” she demanded.
“It’s a long story.”
“Give me the quick version.”
He paced the small room. “It was supposed to be easy. No one would notice.”
“Tony, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He stopped right in front of her. “You need to come with me.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You have to, Cassie. Becca needs you.”
“Why, is she hurt?”
“Just come, please?”
Three soft knocks echoed from the resort room door. “Hey, I’ve got tea, open up,” Bree said.
“Yes, let us in,” her mother added.
As Cassie started for the door, Tony grabbed her arm. “If you want to keep your family safe, you won’t involve them in this.”
“In what? Let me go.” Cassie tried to wrench free.
Tony whipped out a gun. “I didn’t want to use this, but you’re not listening to me.” His eyes flared with panic.
“If you’re in trouble, Nate can help,” she offered.
“No one can help, especially not the police.”
“Cassie!” Bree pounded.
Tony flung out his arm and pointed the gun at the door. Panic flooded Cassie’s chest.