What were you trying to tell me, Abby? What did you know that got you killed?
The only sound was the quiet transmission between Ryan and Boone.
Movement below caught her attention. A shadow shifted near one of the pine trees. Charlie stepped closer to the window. A heartbeat later a flash that was unmistakable had her ducking as a bullet flew through the window right where she’d been standing.
“Charlie.” Ryan ran to her.
“Ryan, what’s going on?” Boone’s voice came through the radio filled with concern.
“Shots fired. Someone tried to kill Charlie.” Ryan knelt beside her. “Are you hurt?”
Dazed, she managed to confirm she was okay while clearly in shock.
“We’re on our way.” Boone announced before the transmission ended.
“Wait here. I’m going after him. Stay down.” Ryan raced to the door and flew down the stairs. She registered the sound of his footsteps running through the house. The front door slammed against the wall and then he was outside.
Charlie wrapped her arms around herself and tried to understand what had just happened. Someone had shot at her. How had they known she and Ryan were here unless they’d been followed?
In the distance, an engine fired. The shooter was getting away.
What if he hadn’t acted alone? What if the shooting had been a ploy to get Ryan away?
Fear spiraled as she crawled to the door and closed it. Someone wanted her dead and she believed it had everything to do with what happened to Abby. The suspect believed she knew something from her uncle that would identify him and he couldn’t let that happen. He’d stop at nothing to cover up his crimes. Even murder.
Chapter Six
By the time Ryan reached the location where the car had been parked there was nothing left but tire tracks in the snow.
The isolation of the location settled in, and he hustled back to the house worried about Charlie.
“Charlie!” He called out as he headed up the stairs to the attic not wanting to frighten her.
The door opened as he approached. She threw herself into his arms.
The shock of having her close kept him immobile for a second before he wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay. He’s gone.”
She stepped back almost as if regretting her reaction. “What’s going on, Ryan?”
He tried to steady his thoughts. “I don’t know, but we were clearly followed here.
In the distance, sirens blared. “That’s Boone and Will.” He hesitated. “Charlie, maybe it’s not a good idea for you to stay in Pine Haven given what’s happened.”
The words were barely out before she stopped him. “I’m not leaving. Abby was trying to tell me something. I believe whateverwas in the container will help us figure out what happened to her.”
“Charlie. . .” He crossed his arms. Fear for her, making his voice rough.
“My uncle spent years looking into Abby’s disappearance. I believe he was closing in on identifying the person who took her. . .”
“What?” he asked but he knew. She’d come to the same conclusion as him about Pete’s death.
“Maybe my uncle didn’t die from a heart attack. He could have been murdered.” She stepped closer and searched his face. “We need to do an autopsy before he’s cremated.”
The implication was terrifying to consider. Did someone Pete know take his life? After what happened he couldn’t get it out of his head.
Down below, car doors opened and shut. “I’ll run it by Boone. Come on, let’s get out of here.” He nodded toward the blue container and told her he’d have Doug dust for prints. “I doubt that it will yield any after so long but it’s worth a try.”
He and Charlie stepped out into the late morning and made their way to Boone.
