“Yeah. You’d think the storm would’ve just about fizzled out.” He pointed to the boarded-up window. “Wish I had some nails to add to this. Those boards are shaking something awful.”
“Maybe there are some here that we can pull out of something else?”
“I thought about that, but they’re all going to be old and bent. We’ll probably be fine.” He looked at the others. Gina’s eyes followed his movement.
“How are you holding up?” she asked quietly.
“Fine. You?”
“Worried. Something’s not right about this whole situation.”
He nodded, lowering his voice to match hers. “I know. We’ll figure it out.”
Her eyes met his, and for the first time since George’s arrival, the room didn’t feel quite so cold. “What do you think he wants?”
Nick focused on George, who was still making conversation with Joe and Brooke. “I don’t know yet. But we’ll handle it.”
Outside, the storm raged on. Inside, George continued his careful questioning while Kelsey avoided everyone’s eyes and Brooke spiraled deeper into her training obsession.
Nick kept Gina close. Whatever George’s game was, whatever he was really after, Nick would be ready.
Chapter 9
Gina
“You know what?” George said, setting his empty mug on the floor with a clunk. “I think it’s time we got honest about why we’re really here.”
George’s tone was completely casual and carefree. Gina glanced at Nick. His jaw had tightened and his stance was alert, reminding her she wasn’t facing this alone.
“What do you mean?” Brooke asked from her spot against the wall.
“Well, it’s interesting, isn’t it? Five people from a small town, all ending up in the same remote location on the same day I happen to be passing through.” George’s smile was pleasant, but his eyes were calculating. “Makes a person wonder if there might be more to it than just a hike.”
“It was a training run,” Brooke said defensively. “I needed this specific route for my Moose Run prep.”
“I’m sure you did.” George nodded.
“What do you mean by passing through?” Gina asked, trying to sort out exactly what this man was up to. “There’s no passing through Bearwater. The road’s a dead end.”
He gave her a nod. “It is at that, isn’t it? A dead end.”
The way he said the words sent a shiver up her back. She guessed she wasn’t the only one. The silence stretched long enough that Gina could hear the wind rattling the windows.
“This is ridiculous,” Joe finally said. “We’re trail runners. We came here to run trails. End of story.”
“Are you sure about that?” George asked mildly. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like maybe someone in this group was expecting to meet me here today.”
Kelsey made a small sound, quickly covered by a cough.
“Nobody was expecting you,” Gina said firmly. “Your arrival was a complete surprise.”
“Was it?” George looked around the circle. “Because I have to say, for a group that supposedly didn’t know I was coming, you’re all acting pretty nervous.”
“We’re nervous because you’re acting like we’re suspects in some kind of crime,” Nick said, taking a step closer to Gina.
“Crime?” George raised his eyebrows. “Who said anything about a crime? I’m just curious about coincidences.”
“Fine,” Brooke said suddenly. “You already know why I’m here, but I’ll spell it out for you again. I’m training for the Moose Range Run 100. This route has the elevation profile I need to test my climbing legs. I planned this run last summer, knowing it’d be important.” Her voice cracked slightly. “Happy now?”
