Don’t jinx it like that. Charlie felt that slight unease again, The joust was still unresolved. Duke had an alibi. DCSO had investigated the stable hands and come up empty. They'd never figured out who cut that strap. At least there hadn’t been any other attempts on Rowan’s life.
Maybe I’m just being paranoid. But paranoid had kept her alive in the past.
“That's really good to hear,” Charlie said. “I'm glad it all worked out.”
Maddie appeared at Charlie’s side. “Coffee, anyone? Thought we could all use something warm so I grabbed some from craft.”
Viv smiled. “Maddie, you're a lifesaver. Thank you.”
Charlie took a cup, grateful for the warmth. She studied Maddie. The usually-chipper assistant was dragging just a little bit. Her eyes looked glassy.
“Hey, Maddie? You okay?” Charlie asked quietly.
“Fine.” Maddie's voice was clipped. “Just cold. I'm going to check on the equipment for the next scene.”
“Take a break,” Viv said.
“No, I’m good.” She set down the coffee carrier and walked away, her movements stiff.
Charlie watched her go. “What’s wrong with Maddie?”
“Oh, I don’t know. She's been working too hard,” Viv said, shaking her head. “I caught her staring off into space the otherday. I’m giving her a big Christmas bonus. She's been incredible through all of this.”
“Yeah,” Charlie said slowly. “Incredible.”
She made a mental note to keep an eye on Maddie. Maybe she just needed someone to talk to.
Twenty minutes later,Charlie straddled a snowmobile and checked her radio one more time.
“Elk, you copy?”
“Copy, King. You're clear to head up.”
“Roger. Maintain position at base.”
Shane would coordinate the main crew and equipment while Charlie took Viv, Duke and Rowan up. With Duke's new show and the tension resolved, the threat level had dropped. Plus, the real danger today was nature, not people.
“You good with this?” Shane had asked before they left.
“Four people, cleared route, ten minutes up, then the full crew in Snowcats. I've got it.”
Shane grinned. “And the pups are good in Viv’s trailer. Radio check when you arrive and if anything’s wonky. We’ll be up in an hour.”
“Copy that.”
If something happened at base, Shane could coordinate with CDOT. If something happened at up the mountain, Charlie could get Viv, Rowan, and Duke out with the snowmobiles.
Not that anything was going to happen. CDOT had cleared the route. The avalanche had already been triggered. They were going to a safe, flat area to practice and then film a scene.
Viv mounted the snowmobile beside her while Rowan and Duke took two others. Four machines, ten-minute ride up toward the Sisters. Simple.
“Stay close,” Charlie said before she started the engine. “Single file. I lead, you three follow.”
They headed up the mountain in a line, headlights cutting through the darkness and falling snow. The trail was clear enough, packed down by CDOT vehicles earlier. Charlie kept her speed moderate, checking over her shoulder every thirty seconds to make sure the others were keeping up.
The cold bit through her jacket. Wind picked up as they climbed higher, exposed to the elements. Charlie's tactical brain noted the risks—communication could get spotty, avalanche chutes above them freshly triggered but the mountain still loaded with snow in other areas.
Ten minutes felt like twenty.
