“We should send people to look for them.”
“We discussed it, but then we risk losing more in the snow. We’ll give them another ten, then rediscuss.”
They padded down the hall, a lantern in Izzy’s hand.
A shadow loomed large on the side wall.
She stopped short, her chest squeezing.
Izzy held the lantern higher. “Who is it?” she asked, her voice bold as she was.
Heath rounded the corner.
“When did you get back? We thought you were still looking for Brady?”
“A little bit ago.” He shrugged.
Iz narrowed her eyes. “We didn’t see you in the parlor.”
“Because I was rummaging around the kitchen.” He frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because Savanah just came from the kitchen and didn’t mentioned seeing you. We all thought you were still outside.”
“What is this, interrogation hour?” Heath snorted. “I came in the side door after I got turned around in the snow looking for Brady. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a blizzard out there.” He pushed past them.
“Did you see Brady while you were out there?” Izzy asked.
“Nope.” He kept walking away.
“That was weird,” Iz said. “He was all on the defensive.” She pulled Cassie into the bedroom and shut the door behind them. “Now, what on earth is going on?”
Cassie pointed to the letter she’d left on the bed.
Izzy’s wide-eyed gaze fixed on her. “He’s back?”
“Apparently, he never left.” Tension bubbled over in her, her limbs shaking. She picked up the crumpled paper and sat back on the bed. Something slipped off the pillow beside her elbow. She squeezed her eyes shut.Please no.
Her gaze tracked down.
“Another envelope?” Izzy asked, striding forward.
She grabbed it as Iz drew close.
Cassie opened it, and tears welled in her eyes.
Iz’s carriage turned stiff. “What did the madman say?”
She cleared her throat and read, “‘On second thought, I think you need a stronger reminder. Wait. One is coming soon.’”
Izzy frowned, the firelight casting shadows across her face. “What does that even mean?”
“That he’s going to...” Her breath hurt. “Or he already has hurt someone.”
Izzy’s eyes widened. “Do you think he followed you here? But how? How would he know we went heli-skiing? How would he get out here? There wasn’t time before the avalanche... .”
“Exactly.” Iz had just walked them through the logical conclusion. “He’s one of us.” He’d been there all along.
Her stomach heaved as she slipped the folded letters in her pocket.
