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Finally, as darkness fell, Trooper Sonja Reeves pulled up. Reeves was in her mid-thirties with auburn hair and pale skin that seemed to match the winter snow.

She was one of the few colleagues Logan trusted after the fiasco with his captain.

As the two of them walked through the woods toward the body, Logan explained the situation and what he’d already processed at the crime scene. The on-call deputy medical examiner from the Alaska State Medical Examiner Office would arrive soon to document the scene and prepare the body for transport.

Unlike more populated areas with local facilities, the remains would be flown to Anchorage—where the state’s only full forensic morgue was located—for the official autopsy.

This meant evidence processing took longer here than in other states, which potentially delayed crucial information for days. It was just one more complication of working homicides in Alaska’s vast wilderness. But the thorough forensic work in Anchorage was worth the wait, especially for a case like this.

Logan glanced at his phone again. Duke and Andi were at Morgan’s. They’d sent a text saying Morgan still wasn’t at the house.

With every second that passed, Logan’s worry grew.

His gut told him something was wrong, and he was anxious to figure out the truth.

As soon as the ME showed up, Reeves turned toward him, seeming to sense his restlessness. “Listen, I’m good here if you need to run. I know you’re off duty.”

He took a step back. “If you’re sure. I do have somewhere I need to be.”

“Of course. I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

With those words, Logan hurried back to his SUV.

CHAPTER

SIX

Logan resistedthe urge to turn on his police lights and siren as he hurried back to Morgan’s place. He had to be rational and not overreact.

When he finally pulled up to her cabin, disappointment bit deep.

Her car still wasn’t here, He’d known that would be the case, but he’d still had a smidgen of hope. Andi and Duke would have notified him of any updates.

He met his two friends outside. They’d been waiting in Duke’s SUV, just as he’d asked.

“Sorry.” Duke climbed out, his feet crunching on the ice. “But it’s been quiet here.”

Disappointment pressed on him. “Thanks for doing this. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”

“It wasn’t a waste,” Andi assured him. “We’re available to help you do anything else you might need.”

Logan considered the offer. Usually, he liked to think of himself as a one-man show. But if there was anyone he could trust, he knew it was Andi and Duke. They’d proven themselves time and time again.

“Maybe give me a second set of eyes inside,” he said. “I’m not trying to overstep, but I have a key to her place in case of emergencies.”

“Makes sense to me,” Andi said. “Morgan seems the type to be levelheaded about these things.”

She usually was. Logan gave an affirming nod.

He unlocked her door and went inside. As he did, his thoughts continued to wander back to that journal he’d seen.

Could whatever had been written on those pages provide the answers he needed? Could some type of secret Morgan was harboring clue him in on where she might be now? Or was the dead body hanging from the tree Morgan had previously photographed a sign? A threat? A message?

Maybe. But Logan would only read the journal as a last resort.

Logan checked the place out again, more thoroughly this time.

Then he joined Duke and Andi back in the living room.