Finally, Charlie saw the markers CDOT had left earlier in the day—reflective posts marking the safe zone. She slowed, guided her snowmobile into the flat area, and killed the engine.
Silence rushed in. Just wind and the distant sound of the crew down below.
The others pulled up beside her. Viv climbed off first, already looking around with her director's eye. “This is perfect. Rowan, Duke, stand over there so we have the slope behind you.”
Charlie dismounted and did a quick perimeter check. The area was maybe forty feet across, relatively flat, backed by a steep slope on one side and open to the valley below on the other. The Seven Sisters loomed above them, massive and dark against the sky, but the snow was undisturbed.
Charlie tried her radio. “Elk, you copy?”
Static, then Shane's voice, faint and breaking up: “...opy... signal... weak...”
Great. Mountains were interfering with the signal. Not unusual, and not ideal.
“We're at the location,” Charlie said clearly, hoping he caught it. “Beginning scene walk-through, over.”
More static. She couldn't tell if he'd heard.
Charlie moved to where she could watch both the approach trail and the area where Viv was positioning Rowan and Duke. The two actors were professional, focused, discussing the emotional beats of the scene—Caiden's final speech to Aldric, the loyal friend telling his king the truth before the end.
Viv took a puff on her O2 canister. “Camera will be here,” Viv said, pointing. “Wide shot first, then we'll move in for close-ups. Duke, when you say, 'You've always been the true king,' I want you looking right at him. Eye contact. Make it hurt.”
Duke nodded. “Got it.”
Rowan pointed at Viv’s O2. “I’ve got one if that’s running low.”
“Thanks. I’m okay.”
Charlie scanned the darkness beyond the snowmobile headlights they’d left on. Nothing but snow and rock and wind.
Then she heard it.
Another snowmobile. Engine growing louder. Coming up the trail.
Charlie's hand moved to her sidearm. “Viv, we expecting anyone else?”
Viv looked up, confused. “No. Everyone's supposed to stay at base until they’re ready.”
The sound grew closer. A single headlight appeared on the trail.
“Elk, you sending anyone up early? Over.”
Nothing but static, then “…Maddie there. Over.”
Charlie relaxed a little. “It’s Maddie. Did you forget something?”
Viv looked confused. “I must have, but I can’t think what.” She looked at the men. “Either of you forget something?”
Rowan shook his head. Duke grinned and shrugged. He said something but his voice was lost beneath the sound of the snowmobile.
Now Charlie wondered,What could be important enough that it couldn’t wait for the rest of the crew?
As Charlie started toward Viv, Maddie parked the snowmobile next to the others, killed the engine, and climbed off. She kept her helmet on.
“What did I forget?” Viv called.
“Nothing,” Maddie said calmly. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Maddie.” Charlie said. “What are you doing up here?”
