“I know, but I don’t like it. And there’s no evidence of a critter in the snow.”
“I think we’re just jumpy.” She stood, working hard to keep her paranoia at bay. “Could have been the wind too.”
“Maybe.” He motioned her back, and she walked over to the sofa to drop onto it while he stayed by the door. Over the next several minutes, he peered out. While they waited, she picked up her phone and started to text her cousin, Collin, the FBI agent relative who could possibly help with this whole situation, only to remember she couldn’t.
She plugged her phone in and paced to the kitchen to return the knife to the block, then back to the fireplace to flip on the gas logs. She was freezing.
Gideon turned from his vigil. “I’m going to step outside to talk to the officer. See if he saw anything or anyone. Stay put, keep the doors locked, and I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, and he slipped out the front door. A shiver shuddered through her, and she checked the thermostat, then grabbed the fleece blanket from the couch to wrap around her.
A knock on the French door stilled her. She stood for a moment, debating whether to answer, but what criminal knocks?
Maya walked to the door and pushed aside the curtain to peer out—much like Gideon had done just a few minutes before.
Vance Harland stood on the deck. She unlocked the door and cracked it. “Vance? What’s going on?”
“Sorry to bother you, but it’s Ellie. She’s taken a turn for the worse, and I want you to take a look at her whether she likes it or not.”
“Oh. Okay. Of course.” She stepped back. “Come on in for a minute.”
“No, I told Ellie I wouldn’t be long. Can you come now? I’m really worried about her.” His gloved hands twisted together, then he shoved them into his coat pockets.
“Sure. Let me just grab my coat and tell Gideon, and I’ll walk over there with you.”
“I’ll have one of the kids take Gideon a message where youare. I don’t want to take the time to talk to him. Ellie’s in so much pain.”
“Vance, it will only take a second. Gideon’s just out the front door.”
He practically bounced on his toes. “Just leave him a note, then.”
“Vance...”
“Please, Maya. She’s really bad!”
Something was going on with him. It might be better to just roll with him than try to deviate from whatever he had in his head.
Maya threw off the blanket, grabbed her coat and gloves and a pen and paper. While Vance hovered, she jotted the message and put it on the table, then got her gloves from the end table in her bedroom. She walked to the front door. She was about to open it when she looked back to see Vance heading toward the French doors. “Where are you going?” she asked.
“It’s faster to cut through this way. My cabin’s a few doors up from yours. One past Gideon’s, as a matter of fact.”
“Oh. Right.” Itwouldbe faster than going out the front and backtracking to the path that led from her little back porch. “After you.”
He led the way out, and she shut the doors behind her. “Tell me her symptoms.”
“She started throwing up and is pretty miserable. She also said she was dizzy and seeing double. And she’s slurring her words some.” He swallowed hard. “I ... I think she might be having a stroke or ... or something.”
Maya stopped walking. “Okay, I’m going to need some things from the clinic. I’ll have to go there first.”
“No, no way. She—she needs you now. I’ll get whatever you need and bring it to you. Go in the back door. It’s unlocked.” He pulled out his phone and handed it to her. “Type what you need into the notes app.”
She did so, then Vance headed down the hill while Maya hurriedtoward Vance and Ellie’s cabin. She hated leaving without talking to Gideon in light of everything but prayed he’d get the note and understand. As well as show up.
It didn’t take her long to find the right place, and she walked up the back porch steps identical to her own to knock on the French doors.
No response. She twisted the knob and stepped inside. “Ellie? It’s Maya. Vance came to get me. He said you were feeling miserable.” She paused. “Ellie?”
Still nothing. Maya made her way to the bedroom and stopped. Ellie stood next to the bed, dressed in winter clothes, a hat, scarf, boots, and gloves. The woman lifted her right hand and pointed a gun at Maya’s chest. “Thanks for coming.”
