Page 26 of Silent Road

"What's wrong?"she asked, immediately alert.

He looked up at her, his expression grim."You may have been right about the killer striking again."

Sheila's stomach dropped."What happened?"

"Resort security just called.A woman named Sarah Winters is missing.Her truck is still in the parking lot, but there's no sign of her anywhere."

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ian Hayes sat hunched forward in a plastic chair that seemed too small for his frame, massive hands clasped between his knees.At six-foot-four and easily two hundred and fifty pounds, he dominated the small space of the patrol shack.

Sheila took in the contrast between his size and his demeanor.Despite his imposing physical presence, his eyes held a vulnerability that made him look younger than his twenty-eight years.A former college linebacker, according to his hastily-pulled file, now working as a personal trainer at the resort's fitness center.

"Mr.Hayes," she said, keeping her voice gentle."I'm Sheriff Stone, and this is Officer Forster.We'd like to ask you some questions about Sarah."

Ian nodded, his throat working."I already told the security guys everything.She went up for a few runs around six pm.She does that sometimes, you know?To clear her head."

"After your argument?"Sheila asked.

His shoulders tensed slightly."It wasn't really an argument.Just a disagreement."

Tommy pulled out his notebook.The scratch of his pen seemed loud in the small space.Outside, wind rattled the shack's windows, and the flood lights illuminating the slopes cast moving shadows as snow began to fall.

"Tell us about this disagreement," Sheila said.

"It was stupid."Ian's hands clenched and unclenched."I found her MCAT books stuffed under some magazines.She's been saying she's studying, but..."He trailed off, swallowing hard."I shouldn't have pushed her about it."

"Pushed her how?"

"Just talking.About our future, you know?She's brilliant—could do anything she wants.But lately, she's been talking about staying here, working the lifts permanently."His voice cracked slightly."Her mom's been on my case about it, wanting me to talk some sense into her."

"So you confronted her about the MCAT books," Sheila said.

Ian's face crumpled."I said some things I shouldn't have.About her wasting her potential.About not being able to live on minimum wage forever."He looked up, his eyes wet."But I would never hurt her.Never.You have to believe me."

"What time did she leave?"

"Around six, like I said.She was upset.Said she needed some air, needed to think."He rubbed his face roughly."I tried calling around seven, but it went straight to voicemail.I figured she was still mad, you know?But then it got later, and she still wasn't answering..."

Sheila glanced at Tommy, who was still taking notes."And you went looking for her?"

"Yeah, around eight.Her truck was still in the lot, so I knew she must be up on the slopes somewhere.I checked all her usual spots, called some friends.Nobody had seen her."His voice shook."Then I heard about that other person, the one they found frozen this morning, and I just..."He broke off, dropping his head into his hands.

The wind gusted again, stronger this time.The shack's thin walls creaked.Sheila thought about Sarah out there somewhere in the gathering storm.In this cold, every second counted.

Assuming she was still alive, that was.

"Mr.Hayes," she said carefully."I need you to be completely honest with me.Was there anything else going on between you and Sarah?Any other tensions?"

Ian's head snapped up."What are you saying?"

"Just trying to get a clear picture."

"You think I did something to her?"His voice rose as he surged to his feet."I love her!I was going to propose at Christmas.The ring's hidden in my sock drawer right now!Want me to go get it?"

"That's not necessary, Mr.Hayes," she said, holding her ground.Years of kickboxing had taught her how to face down larger opponents—it wasn't about size, but leverage and control.She kept her stance relaxed but balanced, ready to move if needed.

"I didn't hurt her," Ian said, his voice breaking.He sank back into the chair, his anger draining away."I couldn't.She's everything to me."

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