Page 56 of Silent Road

Sheila stared hard at Tommy."I'm not just giving up on him."

Tommy shook his head in frustration."So, what?Do you want to throw our lives away instead?What are the chances he's even alive?"

"Much better than they will be tomorrow morning."

"You think Mark would want us dying out here trying to save him?"

"I think he'd want a chance to live."

Tommy was silent for a few moments."And what about Star?"he finally asked."What happens to her if something happens to you?"

Sheila felt anger rise in her chest."Don't bring her into this."

"Why not?Isn't she part of the equation?Or does your duty to save strangers outweigh your duty to her?"

"My duty," Sheila said, her voice hard, "is to protect everyone I can.That's what being a cop means.If you don't understand that—"

"Oh, I understand it.I just think there's a difference between being brave and being reckless."

"And I think there's a difference between being cautious and being a coward."

The words hung in the frigid air between them.Tommy's face darkened.

"That's what you think I am?A coward?"

"I think you're awfully quick to give up on someone who might still be alive out here."

"Because I don't want us to become the next victims?"Tommy threw up his hands."Fine.You want to keep searching?Keep searching.But at least admit what this is really about."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're not out here for Mark.You're out here because you can't stand the thought of failing.Because maybe if you save him, it'll make up for all the other people you couldn't save—like your sister, Natalie."

Sheila took a step toward him, her anger turning to fury."You don't know a damn thing—"

Her radio crackled to life."...ila...read me?"

She snatched up the radio, relieved at the sound of Finn's voice."Finn?I can barely hear you."

"...research station...east of...Mark might..."

"You're breaking up.Say again?"

The static cleared slightly."There's an old research facility east of your position.Abandoned in the eighties.Mark might have gone to it."

Sheila looked at Tommy, who was staring off into the swirling snow, stone-faced.

"It's the perfect place to take shelter," Finn continued."If he's there… he might still be alive."

"How far?"Sheila asked.

"Depends...where are you?"

Sheila described their location relative to the tower.She had to repeat herself twice before Finn understood.

"Okay," he said finally."Listen carefully.Head east until you hit an old service road—probably completely covered in snow by now, but you'll see the power line poles.Follow those about half a mile.The facility's built into the mountainside, concrete entrance.Can't miss it."

"Got it."Sheila checked her compass."East to the service road, follow the poles."

---