Page 47 of Silent Road

"I know."Tommy checked his GPS."Let's mark this spot.When we come back, we'll know exactly where to start."

She nodded, pushing aside her frustration.Sometimes being a good cop meant knowing when to step back.Even when every instinct screamed to keep going.

The wind gusted harder as they started their descent, carrying the first stinging flakes of snow.The descent was harder than the climb had been—each step had to be placed carefully on the slick surface.

"Here."Tommy offered his arm as Sheila's boot slipped on a hidden patch of ice.The contact was brief, professional, but she found herself grateful for more than just the physical support.

"Thanks."She hesitated."I think I underestimated you, Tommy."

"Just doing my job."

"No," she said."You're not.This is a lot for anyone—let alone a rookie—to step into.We're not exactly trying to get a cat out of a tree here."

Tommy's laugh was soft."What can I say?I like diving into the deep end.Especially when it gives me the chance to work with someone of your caliber."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds their boots in the snow and the distant hum of the resort.Sheila found herself thinking about Tommy's words.Was he just talking about her experience and professionalism, or was he hinting at something more?

Something… personal?

She checked her phone, hoping that maybe her father had reached out.Nothing.She sighed, disappointed.

"Everything okay?"Tommy asked.

She hesitated, then decided to share a little."My father.We had an...intense conversation yesterday.About an old case."She kicked at a chunk of ice."He's been avoiding me for weeks, won't have an open conversation."

"Sounds frustrating."

"That's one word for it."She studied the snow ahead, choosing her next words carefully."He keeps things buried.Important things.And now that I'm digging..."She shook her head."Let's just say he's not happy about it."

"Do you think he'll change his mind?"Tommy asked."I mean, he's your dad, right?How long can he keep a secret, especially if you know there's a secret?"

"I don't know," Sheila murmured."He can be pretty stubborn, especially if he thinks it's for my own good."

"That sounds like some gaslighting, if you ask me—hiding things, and then telling the other person it's for their own good?"

Sheila glanced at him, surprised by his boldness."It's… complicated," she said.Instinctively, she wanted to defend her dad, but in this case… how could she?

"You said it was an old case," Tommy said, his tone casual."What makes it so important to you?"

"It's… personal."

"But sometimes talking helps," he pressed."And if it's affecting you this much...I mean, what kind of case was it?When did it happen?"

Something in his eagerness made her uneasy.Why was he being so pushy?Tommy had been nothing but professional until now, so what had changed?

"We should focus on finding Mark," she said, deliberately changing the subject."The weather's only getting worse."

"With all due respect—"

"It wasn't a suggestion," Sheila said, her tone sharp.

Tommy nodded sheepishly."Of course.Whatever you say."

Sheila quickened her pace, pulling ahead of Tommy as they descended.The wind picked up, carrying the first stinging flakes of snow, but the chill she felt had nothing to do with the weather.

The resort materialized through the thickening snow, a dark shape against the white.Sheila's mind kept circling back to Tommy's questions.Why had he pushed so hard?And why did his interest in that old case make her so uneasy?

You're being paranoid,she told herself.He's just trying to help.

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