Page 73 of When the Silence Breaks

Ryder didn’t respond to her statement. Instead, deep concern carved his features as he stared at the peak. “That doesn’t look good.”

Oh no. What now?

Thirty

“See that cornice just there at the top?” He pointed at the higher peak. “It’s loaded with snow. Packed. Ready to drop.”

“Isn’t this early? It’s not winter yet. Or snow season, or is it called avalanche season?” Sarah’s eyes were wide when she looked from the cornice back to him.

“Looks like there’s already been a big snowfall up at this elevation, and there’s no surprise there. Wind blows the snow onto the rim, and that’s what you’re looking at—windswept snow that forms a cornice, which is basically an overhanging shelf made of nothing but snow, and it’s not stable.”

“You mean it doesn’t have any support. Nothing to hold it up.”

“Yup, and it can break away without much warning.”

Sarah stepped a little closer. “That sounds like a worst-case scenario for us.”

“It would seem so.” He wished he had better news.

She appeared crushed under the weight of it. “You’re not only a guide but an avalanche specialist?”

“I know enough.” Ryder still needed to confirm this was the targeted plane, then he could give the information over to Holt.

The only problem, he hadn’t received a text or confirmation from Holt that he’d gotten his last message.

“Come with me.” He started forward.

Sarah didn’t follow. “Where are you going?”

He turned and held his hand out. She always had to question everything. “Out of harm’s way. Just ... trust me.”

He wasn’t sure why, but he longed to see in her eyes that she fully trusted him. She slowly lifted her hand and took his. He squeezed, attempting to infuse her with hope. She was a mess, and understandably so. Her son was being held hostage. Ryder couldn’t do anything more about it than he was already doing. Finish this. Then ... he could go dark and rescue the boy if needed.

He approached an out-of-the-way boulder. “Stand here and wait.”

She shook her head. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

“You’ll be safe here. I’m going to confirm that’s the actual plane in case, you know, another plane crash-landed here.”

“And why can’t I go with you?”

“I thought I told you. The avalanche risk is high.”

“It’s risky for you too,” she said.

“Sarah, at least one of us needs to make it out. If something happens, you can dig me out, okay? But stay here, and you’ll be safe ... just in case.”

Sarah opened her mouth to argue, then suddenly closed it and nodded. He handed over the field glasses. “And watch our back.”

“I can do that.”

He turned to hike toward the plane, and she gripped his arm, stopping him. He paused and turned back.

“Ryder, please be careful. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I pulled you into this.”

He gave her a small nod and turned his attention to confirming it was theSentinel Onethat rested under the snow and was possibly at least partially buried beneath decades of earth and rocks. She hadn’t pulled him into it—he was already in it—compliments of his grandfather.

The same as her.