Page 187 of Ice Princess

“I’m always worried about Gordie,” he grumbles to the window.

I whip around. “You didn’t leave her home alone, did you?”

Renthrow scoffs. “Of course not. I asked the babysitter to come over in case Gordie wakes up. Do you think I’d be out here if my baby girl was home alone?”

I grunt my understanding and peer at Uncle Clancy’s cabin for another quick sweep.

After meeting with a few old timers in town, visiting the grocery store to buy some supplies, and heading out to his cabin, he hasn’t moved since. Seems he’s settled in for the night.

It’s been the same routine for the past two days.

Uncle Clancy has been so careful that he hasn’t even met with Uncle Stewart publicly, although I’d bet my entire hockey career that they’re communicating. Just not in a way that would tip me off.

Does Uncle Clancy know I’m watching him?

It’s a possibility. It didn’t take Rebel long to figure out Theilan and Watson were checking up on her. Thankfully, mom was with Rebel all evening doing Lady Luck Society business, and I convinced April to get Rebel to sleep over tonight. Chance is keeping an eye on April’s place until morning.

Dad reached out to his law enforcement network to have Grampa Clay’s will verified by actual experts, but I can’t twiddle my thumbs until we hear back from them. Protecting Rebel and all the people who are important to her is my main priority.

Suddenly, my stomach growls.

Renthrow glances at me.

I pretend not to notice and bring the binoculars to my face. Something rustles in the passenger seat and then Renthrowtosses an object at me. I look down to find a Ziplock bag holding a sandwich, neatly cut into triangles.

I lift the bag, incredulous.

“Don’t want it?” Renthrow tries to take it back.

I muscle his arm away and pop the triangle into my mouth. It’s not the best sandwich I’ve ever had, but at least I can put something on my stomach.

“I got grapes and apple juice too,” he offers reluctantly.

I scarf down the rest of the sandwich. While I’m slurping on the juice box, I glance at Renthrow. “You handling everything okay? With Gordie?”

He stares straight ahead. “Yeah.”

I choose my words carefully. “Does she ask about her mom a lot?”

Renthrow blows out a breath. He’s a big guy but, in the moment, he seems to shrink inside himself. “Yeah. It was easier when she was younger.”

“Let me know if…” Just then, I hear the squawk of a radio.

I look to the center console where the police scanner is cradled amidst hockey tape, old hockey gloves that I keep for emergencies, and a bunch of loose change. I ‘borrowed’ the scanner from dad as a precaution, but Lucky Falls is such a safe place to live that the radio hasn’t made a sound until tonight. I’d honestly forgotten it was there.

“Psssh!” The radio noise fills the car. “There’s a reported fire at 114 Willow Lane.”

Willow Lane?

Rebel’s apartment is there.

But Rebel is with April, so everything is fine.

One of dad’s deputies responds to the call, so I turn the radio all the way down. I don’t want to hear the back and forth while I’m trying to focus on the current stakeout.

However, an odd feeling keeps niggling at me and I decide to call April just in case. Once I hear that Rebel’s enjoying their girl’s night in, I’ll be able to breathe easily.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” April says. “Rebel went home.”

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