Page 14 of When the Silence Breaks

“And you trust your contact?”

“Yes. Mudslides aren’t unusual, and that slide didn’t destabilize the area near the road. It was further south. You might not realize how far from the road you hiked or even parked. PNSN is sending someone in the morning to assess the area to be on the safe side. They also have their own equipment in place, but it can’t cover everything. Still, I’m told a small quake had occurred beforehand. Again, nothing unusual.” Then why did it make him apprehensive? He’d sent an email to Lainey to let her know what was happening on this side of the world.

Of course, he hadn’t said anything about Sarah Ellison’s arrival, or her impeccable timing. No one had gone treasure hunting for at least a decade, and then she showed up three weeks after his discovery.

“Honestly, you sound like you’re trying to convince yourself,” she said.

What could he say to that? He steered up the incline. “Are you sure you remember where you left your vehicle? It’s dark and could be hard to locate. You want to wait until morning?”

“No. I don’t have time to wait.”

“You’re in a rush now?”Because someone is following you?

“Thanks for your help, Ryder. Do I really have to explain why I need my vehicle? Look, I left stuff, some gear that I need. Is that so hard to understand?”

“Gear? You’re not planning on hiking in search of your treasure on your own, are you?” He wouldn’t let that happen.

“I haven’t decided how I’m getting there yet.”

He could be in trouble now. “Do you plan to hire another guide?”

“You shot down my plans. I’m regrouping. I could hire Dean, or I could hire one of the guides at Good Adventures despite your claim your group doesn’t hike up there this time of theyear. Everyone has their price. Whatever. I need to get up there before the weather turns, like you said.” Clearly upset with him, she didn’t hold back her frustrated tone.

Before he agreed to take her, he needed information. “Who was following you?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re insulting my intelligence and wasting my time,” he said.

“I made a mistake involving you.”

Okay, now that just hurt. But maybe he deserved it. Ryder had been too hard on her. “Look, obviously I don’t know what you’re involved in, but I’m here to listen. I wasn’t in a place to listen before.”

“Why the change of heart?” Her tone had softened.

Progress. He wasn’t ready to say, so he kept silent and steered up the hill and into the dark, rainy night. He knew the curvy two-lane mountain road well. “Did you drop a pin where you left your vehicle?”

“I didn’t ... Yeah, that was probably stupid. But it’s a forest road. Just drive slowly. I’m watching.” She looked at him, and he felt the weight of her gaze. “You said you’re ready to listen. I’ve already told you all I can. If that wasn’t enough, then I’m sorry.”

“Come on. Any reasonable person would need more.” Right. He was already in this because she was in trouble, and what kind of jerk would he be to watch the ground open up and swallow her? But he pressed her to tell him more. The more he knew, the better prepared he would be to help. “Depending on what you say, I’ll help you, Sarah. I’ll help you find what you need to find. If I don’t like your story or if I don’t believe it, then you can get inside your vehicle and drive out of town.”

Or, yeah, realistically, hire another guide, but they couldn’ttell her what he could—where he’d found part of the plane. Maybe he’d said too much, but he would apply pressure where necessary. Depending on what she told him, he’d make sure she didn’t find her way up the mountain.

Tell me everything.

She sat in silence. Mulling her options? He steered the rest of the way and then slowed near the region in question.

“I turned off a road somewhere here, I think—it’s hard to see.”

“I know just the one.”

“To the left of here somewhere.”

“It’s the only one.” He slowed to find the road, then spotted vehicle lights behind him, increasing speed.

Her followers? He turned off his lights as he steered onto the forest road.

“What are you doing? You could get us killed if you can’t see where you’re going.”