Page 53 of Glimmer in the Darkness

“What?”

“They’re not sure you’re a murderer. They think you kidnapped Hallie. They’re not convinced her death wasn’t an accident.”

“Wow.” She laced her voice with a heavy dose of sarcasm. “That makes all the difference in the world.”

“I’m just saying—”

“I’m just saying that Ella is out here.”

He rolled the tent fabric into a tight ball and shoved it in its protective sack, then attached it to his backpack.

She snatched her sleeping bag and shoved it in her own. “Do what you want. I’m not quitting.”

Over his shoulder, he said, “You’re not staying up here.”

“It’s a free country.”

He stood and faced her. “Only for people who aren’t wanted by the police.” His voice was cold, steady.

“Is that a threat?”

“You’re not staying up here by yourself. Someone’s watching us. Someone wants us to leave.”

He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand.

“I swear, Cassidy. Either you come down with me, or I’ll call the police myself and tell them where you are.”

“Good. Do it. Then they’ll come up here looking for me. At least it would get them on the mountain. They might even accidentally save Ella’s life. I don’t care how she gets rescued, James. I don’t care if I end up in prison. I’m not leaving without her. I can’t be responsible again—” She cut off her own words.

“Responsible.” He stepped closer, peered down at her. “Do you feel responsible for Hallie’s death?”

She put the backpack on and started walking.

He grabbed her arm. “Do you, Cassy? Are you responsible for my sister’s death?”

She glared up at him. “A man took her. I told you—”

“You just said, ‘I can’t be responsible—’”

“Because I couldn’t save her.” She yanked her arm away. “I’m not going to live with it again. I’m not going to live with knowing I could’ve saved Ella, our friend’s daughter, but didn’t because I was too afraid. And Addison, too. If I’d stayed, if I’d faced it instead of running away, they might’ve caught the guy. But I didn’t stay. I was afraid, and I ran, and now one little girl is dead, and another will be soon. So I don’t care what you say. I don’t care what you threaten. I’m not leaving this mountain without her.”

James slipped his hand around her upper arm again, but, this time, the touch was tender. His hard expression softened. “I’m afraid for you, Cassy. Don’t you understand? I’m not willing to risk your life.”

“It’s my life. You don’t get to decide how I spend it.”

He dropped his hand.

She turned to walk away.

“Wait. Just… wait a second, please.”

When she turned, he pointed to the fallen tree-turned-seat.

She sat, and he stared above her head.

“I searched the area this morning,” he said. “Saw signs of someone”—he pointed at the rocky hillside behind her—“up there.”

“He’s gone?”