Page 86 of Mountain Void

“We’ll stop here for a while,” Lorenz said in what he hoped was a neutral tone. “We need a break.”

Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “You mean I need a break,” she said, shaking her head stubbornly. “No. I know what you’re doing, but we can’t afford to stop.”

Lorenz looked at Ry for support, but the other man wasn’t looking at them. His attention was on the mountain hut, his expression sharp.

“There’s smoke.”

Lorenz followed his gaze.

A thin ribbon of grey curled from the chimney, almost invisible against the darkening sky.

Shit.

How could he have missed this?

“You think they’re in there?” Charlie asked in a shaky voice.

“They might be,” Lorenz said carefully. Then, “Call it in.”

Ry was already reaching for the radio, but only static answered him.

He adjusted the frequency and tried again.

Nothing.

“There’s interference,” Ry said, frowning. “It could be the weather.”

Lorenz brought out his own radio, but the outcome was the same.

The wind howled louder, as if to remind them of its power. Snow pelted their exposed skin.

“What do we do?” Charlie said, looking between them.

Lorenz didn’t hesitate. “You two go back down. Get help. Call in a hostage negotiator, just in case. I’ll keep an eye on the hut.”

Ry’s head snapped toward him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“We need backup,” Lorenz said. “And if it is Pelletier in there, we can’t risk him leaving with the boy without knowing where he goes.”

There was a long instant of silence.

“Shit,” Ry muttered.

“I’m staying,” Charlie said.

Lorenz turned sharply. “No.”

“Ry will be faster on his own,” she said firmly. “You said it yourself—we need backup.”

No.

He didn’t want her here.

Not if Pelletier was in the hut. Not with the light fading and the storm about to land right on their heads.

But the alternative—sending her down with Ry—was a problem, too. Because she would slow Ry down.

“I promise I’ll do everything you say, Lorenz. Please.”