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Yeah, it was going to be a while.
Fenn squeezed her shoulder, then stood. “In the meantime, we’ll dig into Rog’s background without Paige’s help.”
“How?”
“The old-fashioned way. In Tennessee, they called it the Tin Mill Telephone Tree. Out here, they’ll have their own version. All I’ve got to do is tap into it.”
He headed for the door. “We move out in five.”
In the hallway, his smile slipped. Whatever Kate was hiding, it wasn’t only personal. It was dangerous.
But he meant what he said. He was here for her. With the Lord on their side, he’d keep her safe.
Because that’s what you did for the people you loved. Even if they didn’t love you back.
14
“You mean the Permafrost Paparazzi,”Saila, the store owner, said with a grin when Fenn asked about Rog.
She winked at Kate.
“Exactly.” He leaned against the counter, his dark eyes scanning the store. “Someone’s giving Kate a hard time,” he told Saila. “We got a tip it might be this Rog character, but we don’t know anything about him.”
Saila shrugged, her expression perplexed. “I don’t know much about him either. He’s a true recluse.”
Just then, the door swung open, and a rough-looking character walked in. The conversation in the store stopped abruptly, the air thick with tension.
Fenn’s eyes narrowed as he took in the man’s appearance. He was dressed for the arctic weather, wearing a parka from a high-end brand, but it had clearly seen better days. The man’s expensive gear suggested he had money, but the worn condition indicated he had been out here for a long time. The fabric was worn and frayed at the edges, and the once-vibrant color had faded to a dull gray.
His weathered face and rough demeanor spoke of a life lived in isolation, away from the comforts of society. Hisexpression was like granite. Deep lines etched his forehead and the corners of his eyes, a testament to the years he had spent in the unforgiving Arctic. His skin had a leathery texture, and his beard was a tangled mess of gray and white.
Fenn noticed Saila’s slight alarm at the man’s entrance, but she quickly composed herself and greeted him with a nod.
The man sauntered toward the counter, his stance threatening. He moved with a deliberate slowness, each step measured and purposeful.
Fenn slipped his hand into the pocket of his parka, wrapping his fingers around the grip of his gun. He glanced at Kate, who did the same, her eyes locked on the stranger.
As the newcomer approached, Fenn’s muscles tensed, ready to spring into action if needed. He exchanged a quick glance with Kate, a silent communication passing between them. They were both on high alert, their training and instincts guiding their actions.
The man stopped at the counter, his piercing blue eyes scanning the store before settling on Fenn and Kate. Fenn met his gaze unflinchingly. The air crackled with unspoken tension.
“Something I can help you with, Rog?” Saila asked, her voice steady.
“Nope.” The man stared at Fenn and Kate, ignoring Saila. “I hear you’re looking for me.”
Fenn struggled to hide his surprise. They had just started their search an hour ago.
Kate looked equally shocked, but Saila grinned. “Permafrost Paparazzi,” she mouthed the words.
Rog widened his stance and shoved back the hood of his parka, revealing sparse wisps of graying hair. He wiped his nose with the back of his gloved hand. “I’m here. What do you want?”
Saila made an excuse and headed to the storeroom, leaving the three of them alone. Fenn studied Rog, noting the man’sgruff and rough demeanor. But his eyes didn’t have the dead look of a psychopath. More like a feral soul who wasn’t used to people or conversation.
Fenn cleared his throat. “We’ve had some trouble recently.”
“I heard about that.” Rog scratched his head, his expression contemplative. “Coulda just been bad luck. Lots of guys leave the Frostbite too liquored up to handle their Ski-Doos.”
Fenn’s eyebrows shot up. The recluse knew more about the town’s happenings than people realized. “Could be,” he agreed. “But we’ve also received a threat, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it.”