Page 33 of Storm Warning

She slid her hand up to her throat.I can’t believe this is happening.“I don’t want to scare anyone. This will be the worst experience of their lives. They’ll never come back.”

Compassion flooded his expression—compassion and wariness—as he stepped forward and pressed his palm on her shoulder. “We’re just cautioning everyone to keep an eye out.”

She nodded. This was happening and there was nothing she could do ... except remember.

Hawk secured the door, keeping Jo’s presence a secret and protecting her, then moved down the hallway. The fire raging in the huge fireplace lit up the big room. A crowd gathered around the flames for the warmth and light. Darkness prevented them from seeing the storm outside, but tomorrow would give them stunning views and memories to last a lifetime—that is, if danger didn’t rear its head inthe lodge tonight. In the meantime, guests could hear the ferocity of the storm and feel the structure shuddering.

Erika moved to stand next to Remi, her eyes wide at first and then narrow. “What’s going on?”

“Is this everyone in the lodge?” Remi kept her voice low. She remembered many of the guests and spotted Mrs. Daley and Paco sitting in a plush chair at the corner of the fireplace.

Erika recounted each family, singles and couples, by name. Dylan and Shawna, along with kitchen staff, lingered in the great room, sitting on the sofas and cushioned chairs and at the tables by the windows.

Maybe they should invest in some sort of indoor firepit for roasting marshmallows or cooking hot dogs when the power went out. She’d add that to her mental checklist of things to change at the lodge.

“Everyone is here,” Erika said. “It’s only eight. Still early in the evening.”

“How long have they been here?”

“A couple hours, maybe. Most were eating dinner when the lights went out. Dylan checked the generators. We would have waited for the go-ahead, which usually comes from Jo, but she isn’t here, after all. No sign of her. I went ahead and made that call, but they only power a few lights and the freezer and fridges. We want to conserve the fuel. As for Jo, I’m worried about—”

“She’s okay. I know where Jo is. Just answer the questions.”

Relief lodged in Erika’s eyes.

“Don’t look,” Remi said. “Don’t telegraph what I’m asking you. Looks like some cabin guests are here too. Do you know their names?”

Erika stared at Remi, then glanced at the floor. Back at Remi. Anywhere but at the guests.

Good.

“Yes. Tom and Katy Mason and their kids ... sorry, I just can’t think of their names at the moment.”

“It’s okay.” Remi wasn’t doing well either.

“I’m not sure how they’re going to get back to their cabin tonight. And one other guest is here alone. A man.”

“Mr. Barclay?”

“I ... don’t know his name.”

Remi studied Erika, who wasn’t looking at her. “Did you check Collin Barclay in?”

“I didn’t. No.”

Shoot. Who checked him in, then?“So, you wouldn’t recognize him?”

“No.”

“Where is the man from the cabin now? Is he here?”

“He’s just there on the sofa, talking to a family.”

Remi glanced that way at him. Was he the one she fought this afternoon? Remi couldn’t tell. She wasn’t sure what to say and she glanced at Hawk, who frowned. He left her side and crept through the rest of the lodge. Had he decided the guy wasn’t the right build?

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Erika asked.

“I was attacked again tonight. Jo was abducted—she’s okay. Don’t freak out. Her abductor is a guest, we think. I don’t know if the guy is here in the lodge,” Remi whispered. “Just act normal. Calm. Can you do that?”

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