The common room had grown quieter as the night deepened. The storm outside beat against the windows, a steady hum of wind and snow that seemed to swallow the world beyond.
The fire had been stoked one last time, its orange light flickering across weary faces. Everyone had agreed to sleep downstairs near the hearth—safer together, Rex said, and warmer too.
Mara and Warren had gathered extra blankets and pillows from the guest rooms. Rachel and Bradford retired to the small bedroom off the hall. Mara had encouraged them to leave their door open for warmth, but Bradford insisted on closing it.
Olive couldn’t blame them. She’d close and lock the door in their shoes also.
Now, the rest of the group had spread out across couches and armchairs—Tevin had even taken the floor. They were all wrapped in mismatched throws. The smell of smoke and cinnamon still hung in the air.
Rex remained closest to the door—perhaps out of obligation since this retreat had been his doing. Mara and Warren had gone to sleep in their suite, where they had their own fireplace to keep them warm.
Olive pulled a blanket around her shoulders as she sat on the couch near the fire, Jason beside her. His head rested against the back, his eyes closed—though she doubted he was really sleeping.
Her mind wouldn’t stop turning—images and facts chasing each other in circles.
JJ—dead.
JJ’s body—gone.
JJ’s cell phone—was it working yet?She hadn’t had the chance to talk to Tevin about it again.
The generator cable—cut.
Pregnant woman and husband—showing up out of nowhere in the middle of a storm.
And Rex—still composed, but not quite himself.
Project Frostbite on jump drive. What’s that about?
After several minutes of mentally running through things, Olive rose, careful not to wake anyone. She kept a red crocheted blanket around her shoulders as she tiptoed into the kitchen.
Maybe some water would help. She was thirsty from the stew she’d eaten earlier.
“Can’t sleep?”
Tevin’s voice came softly from behind her. He didn’t pause—and instead went straight to sit at the small kitchen table, a nearby candle reflecting in his glasses.
She grabbed her water and sat across from him. “I think my brain skipped that feature.”
He gave her a faint smile, then lowered his voice. “I tried to check JJ’s phone. I can’t get it to turn on—not without some of my usual equipment. I don’t think that lead is going anywhere.”
“That’s too bad.”
“How about you—learn anything new?”
Olive hesitated.
Normally she wouldn’t share details without Rex’s approval—but Tevin had always been trustworthy. Smart, steady. He was like a brother to her. And she needed someone she could think out loud with.
Lowering her voice as to not wake anyone, she told Tevin everything. About the footprints that vanished at the back door. About JJ’s flash drive. About Project Frostbite—whatever that was.
Tevin listened intently, jaw tight. “You think whoever killed JJ is still here?”
She met his gaze. “I think the evidence says they never left.”
He blew out a slow breath. “All right. I’ll keep my eyes open. See what I can find out without tipping anyone off.”
“Thanks,” she murmured. “But be careful. Until we know what’s going on, I’m not sure who to trust.”
