Andi drew in a deep breath and tried to bring her thoughts back into focus.
Andi gave the team a rundown of her conversation with Pam.
“She’s asked for our help,” she continued. “She thinks her sister could still be alive—but she doesn’t know for how much longer.”
The group glanced at each other, silently communicating in a way that only those who’d faced death together before could do.
“So, we’re really considering this?” Mariella crossed her arms as her gaze slid from face to face. “In the middle of our tour, which is already strenuous. Not to sound like a shrink or something, but our mental health is important also.”
Simmy shrugged. “A woman is missing. Her sister is desperate. How can we not at least find out more information?”
“We’re podcasters, not private investigators,” Matthew reminded them. “Although we do have a great record of success in doing these things. No one can deny that we all work well together and use our strengths to find answers.”
Andi’s throat tightened. She let everyone talk it out while her mind replayed Pam’s trembling voice.
The break-in.
The stalker.
The tied wrists and ankles.
The sudden silence.
Andi’s stomach knotted.
The room grew quiet, and everyone looked at her, waiting for her response.
She straightened before saying, “The pattern bothers me.”
“What do you mean?” Duke’s gaze narrowed as he studied her.
“The stalker breaks in, terrorizes this woman, doesn’t steal anything, doesn’t . . . physically harm her,” Andi continued. “Then he warns her he’s coming back. That’s not typical stalker behavior.”
“You’re right.” Ranger offered an affirming nod. “It’s much more calculated.”
Andi pulled out her phone to look at her calendar. “So, listen. We’re in the San Francisco area for two more nights. Am I right? Tomorrow at noon is?—”
“The question-and-answer event in Santa Clara,” Mariella said.
Andi fought a frown as she remembered just how busy they were. “Right. And the Channel Eight interview at six. Then Sunday afternoon we have the meet-and-greet before we head out to?—”
“Los Angeles,” Matthew finished.
Andi had to admit, she wasn’t especially excited about LA. She was longing for the peace and quiet of her place in Fairbanks.
She never thought she’d feel this way. But Fairbanks and its subarctic temperatures had grown on her.
“Pam said she can give us access to Gina’s apartment, her notes, her work contacts—everything the police dismissed,” Andi continued.
Ranger shifted. “This stalker, whoever he is—it sounds like he escalated. Do we want to insert ourselves into that?”
“When has danger ever stopped us?” Mariella lifted her brow.
“It should,” Ranger muttered. “It really should.”
“Wecouldcover it on the podcast,” Mariella continued. “In real-time. Our listeners would devour it. It would be a win-win.”
“I thought about that,” Andi said. “But we should only do that if Pam agrees. This is her sister’s life, not entertainment.”
