Page 36 of Keeper of Talon Mountain
"We got a hit," he says without preamble. "The woman in the photograph. Her name is Sarah Andrews. Your sister, Gabe."
Gabe goes very still. He takes the phone, voice rough. "Where is she?"
"That's the complicated part. According to military records, she's based out of Sacramento. Works in military intelligence—analyst, high clearance, the works. But here's the interesting thing: three weeks ago, she filed a missing persons report. For you."
"She's been looking for me."
"Looking hard. Filed FOIA requests, hired a PI, contacted your old unit." Zeke's voice carries a mix of respect and concern. "Your sister doesn't give up easily."
"How do we reach her?"
"Working on that. Her official contact is through military channels, which means going through official channels...”
"Which Crane can monitor," Gabe finishes. "We need another way."
"I'm on it. Give me an hour." The line goes dead.
Sarah Andrews. Gabe's sister. The failsafe. She's been looking for him for three weeks, which means she knew something was wrong. Knew he was in danger. Maybe even knew about Chimera.
"You have a sister," I say, watching the realization sink in.
"I have a sister." Gabe stares at the photograph with new eyes. "And she's been looking for me."
"Which means she might already know about Glacier Hollow. About the trail you left."
"Or Crane could have already found her. Could be using her against me." The hope in his voice wars with fear. "If he knows I have a sister, if he knows she's looking for me..."
He doesn't finish the sentence. Doesn't have to.
My phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number:
I understand the trail marker. Coming to you with help. Don't trust anyone else. -S
I show Gabe. His hand shakes as he reads it.
"She's coming," he whispers. "My sister is coming. And she's not coming alone."
"How long?" Zara asks, appearing in the doorway.
"I don't know. Could be hours. Could be days." The message glows on my phone screen. "But she's on her way. We just have to survive until she gets here."
Sixty-two hours. Sarah's text:
Coming to you.
I look at Gabe holding his sister's photograph. Outside, someone is watching. We just need to hold out until Sarah gets here.
12
GABE
The hours crawl. Sarah's text said she's coming with help, but no timeline. Waiting has never been my strong suit—at least, not according to the restlessness thrumming through my veins.
Sixty-two hours left on Crane's deadline.
Mara moves through the lodge like she's preparing for a siege, which I suppose she is. Extra firewood stacked by the hearth. Security cameras checked and rechecked. Satellite phone charged and within reach. She's done this before—prepared for the worst while hoping for better.
"You don't have to stay," I tell her as she inventories the first aid kit for the third time. "Sarah and her team can handle...”
