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SIX

EMERALD FALLS

Cord and Derrick drove in silence to Emerald Falls, the air between them charged with an awkward tension.

The snow was almost a foot deep, causing visibility to be difficult. Thankfully most people had heeded the meteorologist’s warning and stayed home, keeping traffic to a minimum.

The SAR team had already been called in to find a family stranded on Coal Mountain. They’d radioed that they’d found the trio alive and safe in one of the shelters on the Appalachian Trail. It was probably just the first of calls they’d receive over the next twenty-four hours.

But Cord’s priority at this moment was Ellie.

Derrick finally broke the silence. “When did you last talk to Ellie?”

Cord clenched the steering wheel as the tires hit a patch of black ice. “At the hospital after we tied up the last case. You?”

“Same.”

Another long awkward moment passed as both men silently acknowledged that Ellie had been out of touch for three weeks.

Cord made the turn off to the Emerald Falls Inn. He knew the area well. The large, pink Victorian home that had been converted into an inn sat atop a hill with gardens behind it. Doused with snow, it looked peaceful, like something out of a movie set. Wildlife and trails leading to Emerald Falls along with the scenic drop-offs attracted tourists year-round.

The small town of Emerald Falls hosted Winterfest each year to jumpstart the holiday season with seasonal arts and crafts, ice sculptures, winter activities for kids, an ice-skating rink and an Ice Queen pageant. Due to the weather, the crowds were gathering inside the heated tents to seek shelter.

Cord parked and he and Derrick got out, battling the wind as they walked up to the entrance of the Emerald Falls Inn. Ellie’s Jeep was parked in the parking lot, raising his hopes she was here, tucked inside and waiting out the storm.

Christmas lights glittered around the porch and wreaths hung on the door and windows. As they entered, noisy chatter and laughter, the sound of dishes clinking and holiday music echoed from the oversized dining room to the left.

“Benji, stay,” Cord said and gestured toward the corner by the doorway.

Benji followed Cord’s command and Cord glanced into the dining room where the guests were enjoying a Thanksgiving themed meal. The delicious aromas of turkey, dressing and pumpkin pie were intoxicating.

He scanned the guests, but Ellie was not among them.

He headed to the front desk with Derrick on his heels. A twelve-foot tree adorned with Christmas ornaments and twinkling white lights stood beside a spiral staircase decorated with garland and red bows.

The inn keeper, an older woman boasting a name tag that read Lula, greeted them with a big smile. “Hey there, you guys looking for a room?”

“Not today,” Cord said, then identified himself and Derrick and explained they were looking for Ellie.

The woman narrowed her eyes. “Yes, she’s been staying here, but she left earlier to hike to the falls and hasn’t returned.”

Cord clenched his jaw at the idea of her out in the blizzard alone, hurt or lost.

“Can we check her room just in case she slipped inside without you noticing?” Cord asked.

“Typically, we don’t allow anyone else inside a guest’s room,” the woman replied.

“I’m with Search and Rescue, ma’am,” Cord said, his patience wearing thin. “Ellie’s not answering her phone and we’re worried about her out in the storm.”

Lula gave a little nod, then snagged an old-fashioned key ring from the hook on the wall behind the desk.

“I’ll canvass the guests and see if anyone has heard from her,” Derrick said.

Cord nodded as Derrick veered into the dining room, and Lula stepped around the desk and led Cord up the winding staircase. Wreaths hung on each of the guest room doors. The inn keeper stopped at room five and knocked.

“Ms. Reeves,” she said. “Are you in there?”

No answer.

“Ellie, it’s Cord,” he said. “If you’re here, open the door.” Silence greeted him, and Cord gestured for Lula to unlock the door.

He strode in and quickly scanned the room. Dammit.

No Ellie.