Page 27 of Silent Road

"We understand," Sheila said softly."And we're going to do everything we can to find her."

She gestured to Tommy, and they stepped outside.The night had grown colder, the wind carrying sharp particles of ice.

"What do you think?"Tommy asked quietly.

Sheila studied the darkened slopes above them."His emotional response seems genuine.But we can't rule anything out yet.We need to organize search parties immediately, but also keep an eye on him."

Tommy nodded."I'll make the call, see if Michael can send a few members of his security team to watch Ian."

While Tommy made the call, Sheila stared into the falling snow.It was growing thicker by the hour, little by little.How long, she wondered, could someone survive out here?Even if Sarah had been targeted, that didn't mean she was dead.She might've run off, escaped into the mountains.

Then again, that could be a death sentence just as easily as falling into the killer's hands.

"Alright," Tommy said, rejoining her."Michael is sending a few people our way."

Sheila nodded."You sit tight until they arrive.I'm going to start getting those search teams ready."

"Wait a minute," Tommy said as she started away.

She turned back to look at him."Something the matter?"

Tommy shifted uncomfortably, then let out a self-conscious laugh."Honestly?The guy's huge.If he did do something to Sarah and decides to bolt..."He trailed off, looking embarrassed.

"You're worried you couldn't stop him?"

"I mean, did you see the size of him?He could probably bench press my car."

Despite the gravity of the situation, Sheila felt a smile tug at her lips.There was something endearing about Tommy's candor—many rookies would have tried to fake bravado.

"Alright," she said."We'll wait for backup together."

Before Tommy could respond, the shack's door creaked open.Ian stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders nearly filling the frame.

"I could hear you," he said.His voice was quiet but determined."And I'm not staying here while Sarah's out there freezing to death.I don't care if you think I'm a suspect.You can handcuff me to one of you if you want, but one way or another, I'm joining the search."

* * *

The wind howled across the slopes, driving sheets of snow sideways.Sheila swept her flashlight beam in a steady arc, the light diffused by swirling flakes.Every few minutes she checked her compass, making sure they stayed within their assigned search grid.Getting lost up here could be fatal.

Tommy walked close beside her, his own light beam overlapping with hers.She'd noticed his increasing tension as the storm intensified.For someone who had handled the high-speed snowmobile chase with such confidence, he seemed unsettled by the mountain's dark vastness.

"Stay within ten feet," she reminded him."It's easy to lose sight of each other in conditions like this."

Search teams were spread across the mountain in a coordinated pattern.Ian Hayes had been paired with two deputies and was searching the west ridge.Other teams included ski patrol, resort security, and local search and rescue volunteers.Everyone maintained radio contact, reporting their positions every fifteen minutes.

"How long can someone survive in this?"Tommy asked, his voice nearly lost in the wind.

"Depends on their clothing, physical condition, and whether they found shelter."Sheila didn't add that if Sarah was injured or unconscious, her chances dropped dramatically."Sarah's an experienced snowboarder.She knows the mountain."

They pushed on through deepening snow.The floodlights that normally illuminated the slopes created ghostly halos in the storm, more disorienting than helpful.Sheila checked her radio—still working, though the cold was draining its battery faster than usual.

"Sheriff," Tommy said after a while, his voice hesitant."I wanted to apologize.About bringing up Natalie earlier.It was tactless of me."

"You don't need to apologize."

"No, I do."He ducked under a snow-laden branch."I was trying to show that I'd done my homework, you know?But bringing up your sister like that...it was insensitive."

Sheila was quiet for a moment, remembering Natalie's laugh, her fierce dedication to justice."It's okay.Really."

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