Page 102 of Snowbound Threat

Ryan opened the back door for Charlie. Once she slipped inside he crossed to the other side and got in next to her. With everyone in place, Warren eased the cruiser down Ryan’s long drive.

“I let the rest of the officers on guard know where we’re heading. They’re ready to back us up if needed.”

Ryan appreciated the officer’s forethought.

The snowplows hadn’t been up this far yet making it difficult for the SUV to traverse the thick snowdrifts on the road even in four-wheel drive.

Charlie reached for his hand, drawing his attention. She looked beyond exhausted. The things she’d gone through had taken their toll.

He squeezed her hand and smiled. Assuring her everything was going to be okay just wouldn’t come.

Ryan kept watching behind them. To their sides. Expecting the enemy to open fire.

Warren slowed enough to turn onto Pete’s drive.

Coming home. Those words floated through his mind. Every time he made this turn it was as if he were coming home. Pete had adopted him on the force and off. After Charlie left, Ryan spent a lot of time here. Pete helped him understand why she left. It didn’t make it any easier, but he understood.

The house came into view. The freshly fallen, pristine snow untouched.

Warren parked behind the back of the house as Ryan requested. “Why don’t we take a quick look around the outside perimeter and inside the house to make sure it’s safe?”

He looked to Ryan for consent.

“That’d be great.”

Both officers exited the SUV. Warren started around the side of the house while the second officer, Adams, headed inside the house.

“I sure hope Pete was trying to send me a message without saying it out loud.” Charlie leaned her head against the headrest as they waited.

Ryan wondered why Pete wouldn’t have told her about anything hidden. Unless Pete believed his calls might be monitored like Ryan’s.

Adams came from the house toward them. Soon, Warren met up with him.

Warren opened Ryan’s door. “There’s no sign anyone’s been here since the storm.”

Ryan released a breath. “That’s good to hear.” He got out while Adam’s opened Charlie’s door.

“Can you and your partner watch the front and back? Let me know if there’s any sign of trouble.”

Warren confirmed and went to discuss logistics with his partner.

“Ready?” Ryan asked.

Charlie nodded and opened the back door. Together they stepped across the threshold and into the kitchen.

Ryan remembered having meals with Pete at the massive log table Pete had built years ago. Their conversations would inevitably turn to Charlie. Though Ryan didn’t ask, Pete kept him updated on Charlie’s travels as a wildlife photographer.

“There’s a brick missing in the fireplace.”

Charlie’s voice interrupted those memories. Ryan spotted what she did.

“It wasn’t like that before.”

She was right. He remembered Boone mentioning the brick had been pulled free. Boone believed Pete kept something there.He sure hoped it wasn’t the one piece of information they needed to solve the case.

Outraged, I tossed the journal into the blazing fire. It contained nothing but Pete’s ramblings about woodworking.

The old guy had deliberately planted the journal there to throw me off. So where was the real one that held the truth?