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CHAPTER

THIRTY-EIGHT

After they’d had Andi checked out, Ranger offered to let them come back to his place. It was on the north side of Fairbanks and closer than any of their homes. Plus, they were all exhausted from the long—unsuccessful—night.

Logan had considered saying no. But what he really needed to do right now was to debrief with the rest of the team.

His head was spinning.

He was quiet on the drive to Ranger’s, mostly blaming himself for his mistakes.

How had that guy known they’d be there? Had he set the whole thing up at Borealis Lake? Had the man known at this point they’d figure out the pattern and be there? This felt like Logan’s one chance to rescue Morgan, and he’d blown it.

How could he have let that guy get away?

Every time he thought about it, anger burned inside him.

Finally, they pulled up to Ranger’s place.

The cozy suburban home looked entirely too normal for someone like Ranger.

But normal was what he and Simmy wanted.

Anastasia, Ranger’s daughter, lived with them, and they wanted a safe, ordinary life for her—a life away from the danger connected with both of their pasts.

The group stepped inside Ranger’s place, and Simmy appeared from down the hallway, a soft smile on her makeup-free face.

Simmy just might be one of the nicest people Logan had ever met. She was a real nurturer, the kind of person who had a way with people. She genuinely cared, and her authenticity shone through.

She might not be the most active investigator on their team, but her contribution was one of the most important. She represented the heart of the Arctic Circle Murder Club.

“Can I get you guys something?” She pushed her blonde braid over her shoulder. “Some tea maybe or cookies?”

“That sounds great,” Ranger said as he pulled her into a hug. “If you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.”

They all sat at the kitchen table as Simmy prepared the snacks.

“What next?” Duke’s gaze found Logan’s. “What are you thinking?”

More tension knotted between his shoulders. “I need to figure out who exactly this Reuben Walsh guy is, and we need to track him down.”

“Do you think tonight was just a setup?” Andi asked.

“I think this killer knew what he was doing. He knew we were going to head out there, and he wanted to prove he had the upper hand.”

“Maybe the bigger question is, did he strike somewhere else instead? Was tonight an elaborate distraction?” Andi’s question hung in the air.

Logan wasn’t sure how to answer that. But he knew there was no way they could be everywhere at one time.

Maybe the perp had counted on that.

At this point, he would just need to wait and see what happened come the morning.

But the thought of what happened tonight burned him up inside.

Andi and Duke slipped outside, seeking a spot alone to talk.

Andi could sense Duke needed a moment.

They stepped onto the back patio. It was cold, but they’d bundled up.

As soon as they were outside, he turned toward her and pulled her into his arms. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nodded into his chest. “I’m fine.”

“I was so worried tonight.”

She knew Duke worried about her. She’d been through a lot—especially since someone had attempted to perform impromptu brain surgery on her last year. She was still recovering from that, but she’d made lots of strides

Their relationship had borne the brunt of some of that trauma, however. But there was no one else she’d rather have walking by her side after that ordeal.

She nestled farther into his chest. “That could have turned out differently. I’m so glad it didn’t.”

“I can’t stand the thought of you constantly being in danger.”

She shrugged. “I don’t look for it.”

“I know. But it always finds you.”

Duke was strong and tough. He’d been an Army investigator. When they’d first met, she’d called him G.I. Joe. But even tough guys worried about the people they cared about.

“I’ll be careful,” she promised him.

He said nothing, but she sensed he wanted to argue.

“I’m worried about Morgan,” she finally admitted.

“So am I,” Duke murmured. “We have to find her.”

She heard the resignation in her words.

They had to find her . . . even if it was risky.

Because that was just what they did.