Page 12 of My Sister is Going to Kill Me

“No, Nana, you’re here to raft the canyon,” Imogen said. “I’m here to produce video content for a wellness guru who forgot to show up to her own party.”

“I doubt she would forget,” Stefan said. “Ever since my firm made our investment, Babette has been talking about this so-called Essence Quest. She insisted it was critical to the launch of CareFree.”

“He’s right,” PK said. “We can’t do it without Babette. And she might be in real trouble.”

Charlie turned to Big Pete. “What happens if we go back up to the rim?”

“This time of year, it’s not safe for amateurs to hike uphill in the heat of the day. You’d have to wait until evening to get started. And however long it took you to get down to the river, expect it to take three times as long to walk back up.”

Liv did the math in her head. Fifteen hours of hiking uphill. Regardless of what time they started, they’d be walking all night and then some.

Imogen groaned. “I changed my mind. Bring on the rafts.”

But Charlie pressed on. “If we hike up and reconnect with my sister, can we have a raincheck? Come back down and get on the boats in three or four days?”

“No,” Big Pete said.

“No?” Charlie clearly wasn’t used to hearing the word.

“Your trip permit is for a launch today only. This whole season is booked.”

“So if we want to go down the river . . .”

“It’s now or never.”

“Is there a way you can communicate with your colleagues from down here?” Devon asked.

“When we get to camp this evening, I can radio up to our headquarters and see if they know anything.”

“You cannot call now?” Stefan asked.

“Sorry. No one’s in the office. Everyone’s out midday, launching and closing up trips.”

Devon turned to Charlie. “What do you think?”

The two executives stared at each other, their eyes flashing their own secret sibling code.

“Do we get a say in this?” Fiona asked.

“What if she’s hurt?” PK said.

Devon and Charlie stared at each other again, then over to Stefan, who gave a subtle nod. Liv couldn’t decide which of the siblings was in charge, and where the Dutchman fit in. With their CEO missing, maybe the three of them didn’t know either.

Finally, Charlie spoke up.

“We’re going,” he said curtly. He turned to PK. “Was there a script for her grand entrance?”

“It’s on my phone. But I really think—”

“No.” Charlie clenched his whole body, as if he had swallowed a volcano and was preventing it from erupting by sheer force of will. “Babette is strong. Babette is fine. I’m sure she has a very good reason for being delayed.”

“But—”

“But nothing. Even if we start hiking as soon as the sun goes down, we won’t get to the rim until tomorrow. We can make contact sooner if we get on the boats, paddle to camp, and use the radio like the guide said.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time Babette changed her plan,” Devon said. “I’m sure she’ll join us soon. And if she needs help, she has plenty of resources to draw on back in Vegas.”

“I’m going back to the rim,” Marc offered. “I can check in tonight at our office after the mules are stabled to see if she’s made contact.”