The bearded man jumped into the fray. “She is picking up a passenger from the Hallsten Lodge.”
Truth, but neither he nor his wolf approved of the answer. “Renee told me you seldom fly at night.”
“While that’s true, we offer night flights to some passengers,” the man replied. “Renee will arrive back any time now.”
“Are you in contact with her? She was expecting me or one of my brothers to meet her.” Matto observed their reactions and uneasiness writhed through his gut.
The receptionist winced while the men remained impassive.
“What has happened?” Matto asked, their silence leaving a sour taste in their mouth. When not one of the three answered, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Calian, I need you and the twins at the heliport. Something is up with Renee.”
“There is no need to panic,” the man with the beard said. “She is only half an hour overdue. I’m sure she’ll arrive soon. The storm has come in quicker than predicted.”
“Have you contacted her?” Matto demanded.
The door burst open and his brothers poured into the reception area.
“What is it?” Kansas demanded. “Is Renee hurt?”
“She is overdue.” Matto focused on the bearded man. “Have you spoken with Renee?”
“There is no reply,” the man whispered.
Calian bristled beside Matto. “Have you called the authorities?”
“It’s too early yet. We have a protocol.” An air of apology filled the man’s words.
Matto got this. She was half an hour late. That might mean nothing. The fact that the communication was down might be due to the storm. Or it could be something worse.
“Tell us about your protocol,” Calian ordered.
“Tell them,” Tim said. “Renee is never late, and it makes little sense the communications are down. That is my opinion as a pilot.”
“We wait for an hour before we report to the RCMP. Unfortunately, with the upcoming storm and the time of the day, we can’t do much. There’s no point risking lives,” Tim’s male co-worker said.
“Who was the passenger?” Dakota asked.
“We don’t divulge passenger details,” the man said, his voice close to prissy.
“You mentioned Renee was doing a pickup from the Hallsten Lodge?” At Tim’s nod, Matto turned to Calian. “We’ll hunt down the Hallstens. Once they understand our concern, they’ll give us details.”
“Do you have paper?” Dakota asked.
The receptionist handed him a scrap pad.
Dakota scrawled his contact number. “Please call if you learn anything. We’re Renee’s family.”
“She never told us,” Tim countered.
“Renee is a private person,” Dakota explained. “She keeps things to herself.”
Tim nodded. “That’s true.”
Matto tromped from the heliport reception into the cold bluster of the storm. “What do you think?”
“I don’t like it,” Calian said. “I know the storm complicates flying, but Renee is an expert. You saw the way she handled the helicopter. She’s a natural flyer. Matto, your idea to check with the Hallsten brothers is a good one.”
“I’ll try Renee’s cell phone, just in case she’s near,” Kansas said.
