Page 6

CHAPTER

FIVE

The blood drained from Logan’s face.

He pulled out his phone, hit several things on the screen, and then shook his head.

Andi shifted, the icy ground beneath her feet crunching under the pressure of her weight. “Gibson?”

He stared at the tree another moment before his gaze snapped back to meet hers. “Morgan has photographed this exact spot. This exact tree.”

He held up his phone to show them Morgan’s image.

Andi gasped. “The similarities can’t be a coincidence.”

Whoever had done this had wanted to lure them out here.

Duke’s hands went to his hips. “What aren’t you telling us, Gibson? I can’t help but think there’s more to the story.”

Logan let out a long breath, one laden with burdens and heavy thoughts.

“I haven’t heard from Morgan since the award ceremony, so I went by to see her today.

She wasn’t home. I realize she could be off doing something, and she doesn’t have to tell me whenever she goes somewhere.

But something doesn’t feel right. Plus, I found a footprint—a man’s—inside her cabin.

I’m not convinced it belonged to a secret friend. ”

Andi looked curious as if she knew there was more to this story. But he was confident she wouldn’t push him to share information. She knew he was private, and he’d tell them what he wanted in his own time.

It was obvious Duke and Andi knew Logan cared about Morgan. They probably guessed something had happened between them at the award celebration. Had probably sensed the tension after Logan had gone outside with Morgan.

Instead of explaining further, Logan asked, “When you talked to Morgan at the award ceremony, did she say anything of note? Can you walk me through everything?”

Andi shifted as she thought a moment. “When Morgan stormed inside from the back deck, she was clearly upset about something. She went straight into the bathroom, and I followed to check on her. I found her leaning against the sink with tears in her eyes and her hands shaking. She didn’t say what was wrong. She only called herself a fool.”

Logan’s gut clenched. That was all because of him.

Their chemistry was like a science experiment that could either solve the world’s problems or combust and ruin everything within a sixty-mile radius.

“Anything else you can think of?” Logan prodded.

“She did seem jumpy that night,” Andi added. “Even before she rushed back inside. At first, I figured it was because so many people were there to see her photographs. I thought maybe she was overwhelmed or something. Events like that have to cause a lot of pressure.”

“But what if it wasn’t that?” Logan’s jaw hardened. “What if something else had been bothering her?”

Andi suddenly stilled as if she remembered something important. “In the middle of our conversation, Morgan got a text message. She really seemed rattled after that. She excused herself and told me to give everyone her apologies, but that she wasn’t feeling well and needed to leave.”

“That’s all she said?” Logan clarified.

Andi nodded. “That’s it.”

“Did you have the impression that someone at the award ceremony might be making her nervous?”

“Not really.” Andi studied Logan’s face. “Is there anyone you know of who might make her nervous?”

Thoughts raced through Logan, but he couldn’t pinpoint anyone. “She’s never mentioned anyone to me,” he finally said.

He saw the questions in Andi’s gaze, but thankfully she didn’t push him.

Andi glanced at the man hanging from the tree again. “Did someone kill this guy to send a message? If so, what kind? Why involve me and Duke?”

“I’d like to know those answers also.” Logan shook his head and followed Andi’s gaze.

“I’d guess he’s been dead for less than twenty-four hours.

The purple beginning to pool in his fingers indicate rigor mortis hasn’t fully set in.

But the frost covering his hair and eyelashes indicate he was here overnight. ”

Andi turned away from the man as if unable to look anymore.

“How can we help?” Duke asked.

Logan’s frown deepened. “I have to stay until my colleague arrives. But can you wait for me at Morgan’s place? If she gets home before I get there, could you let me know? She’s not answering my calls.”

Duke nodded. “Absolutely.”

Andi tugged the headband down farther over her ears. “We’ll do whatever you need us to. Do we need to give you a statement first?”

Logan shook his head. “I’ll get one from you later. I know I can trust the two of you. For now, Morgan’s well-being is the priority.”

“Got it.” Duke took a step back. “We’ll let you know as soon as she returns home.”

With one more glance at Logan, Andi and Duke started back toward Duke’s charcoal-gray Expedition.

This person clearly wanted to pull Andi and Duke into the middle of this. They’d gotten that message with the location.

But why?

Logan had a list of enemies who might want to target Morgan as retaliation toward him. But what kind of enemies could Morgan have?

He knew that someone who’s achieved the level of success she had could have even acquired some super fans who’d turned into stalkers. But would a superfan take things this far?

Logan especially didn’t like the fact Morgan had photographed the very scene where this guy died.

There was no way it was a coincidence.

Absolutely, no way.

All Logan could think about was that photo Morgan had taken. How this exact tree had been in the picture.

He wasn’t sure how well-photographed this area was. If he had to guess, mostly locals knew about it. There was still the possibility this was a coincidence.

But he wasn’t convinced yet.

As he waited for his colleague to arrive on the scene, he quickly photographed the area, set out the crime scene placards, and photographed them also.

Using gloves, he’d reached into the man’s pockets. There was no type of identification on him. If the man had a wallet with him at one time, it was gone now.

They’d either have to fingerprint him and hope it turned up something or wait for a matching missing person’s report.

He hadn’t seen any vehicles in the area, which would indicate this guy hadn’t driven here himself. That wasn’t what Logan thought happened anyway.

No, this man had been murdered.

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.