"Everyone else is dealing with the hiker mess. If we go together, it's just doubling the temptation. And as you said, we need the notes checked out as well."
Surprisingly, she didn't argue. “Then we bring in outside help.” She squeezed Ike's knee and rose. “You'll need it to find the trail and the hut anyway, so I'll call the Sinclairs and get one of them to act as a guide."
"Which is only putting them in the line of danger,” Cade said.
She grinned. “The Sinclairs scoff at danger."
He raised an eyebrow. “So they have the insanity gene that seems to haunt Sinclairs everywhere?"
"Some would say that,” Ike muttered, then glanced at Savannah quickly. “Except for Duncan, of course."
"Duncan is your brother-in-law?” Cade guessed.
She nodded. “But given the attempt on my father's life, I won't be asking him. I'll see if René's available. He likes the rough stuff.” She glanced at Ike. “You'd better get over to the hospital and get checked out."
"I'm okay. I want—"
"Ike,” she warned, in a voice that brooked no arguments.
The kid scowled and Cade was hard pressed not to grin. He had a feeling the kid had heard that tone more than once. He dragged his room key from his pocket and handed it to Vannah. “The computer is on the luggage bench. Password is Vannah Harvey."
Amusement touched her lush lips. “Interesting password. Someone you knew?"
"Some one I thought I'd lost.” He touched a hand to her face, knowing the kid was watching and not caring. “Thankfully, I found her again."
She briefly pressed her cheek into his touch. “And this time she won't run."
"Good.” He let his hand drop and stepped away from her, even though all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and never let her go. Not just because he loved her, but because he had a bad feeling that something was about to happen. This case, for good or for bad, was about to reach a cl**ax. “Be careful."
"You, too.” She glanced at Ike. “And you stop that stupid grinning and get to the doctor."
"Yes ma'am,” the kid said, and scooted past them.
"I'll call Duncan now,” she continued. “To get to the mansion, just head down Main until you see Park Street. That'll take you to Mansion Road."
"Okay.” He half turned to go and then hesitated. “Watch your back. And don't park in front of the motel."
"Well, gee, and here I was all set to advertise my presence."
He grinned at her sarcasm. “I know, I know, you're a ranger and you know a thing or two about policing. But I deal with nutters on a regular basis. You don't."
"Stop worrying and just get going, or we're never going to catch these people and get on with our life."
He raised his hands. “I'm going, I'm going."
"Then get going."
He did. But not without kissing her good-bye first.
* * * *
Savannah parked in the street behind the motel and climbed out of the truck. The chill of the storm was still in the air, and if the clouds hanging like lead were anything to go by, Mother Nature hadn't finished with them yet. Though storms often dumped snow on the peaks at this time of year, it didn't always stick through the warm autumn days. But she had a feeling this storm was heralding in a long, cold winter, which would make the cross-country skiing crowd happy—if they dared come back to the reservation after word of Candy's attack got out.
She glanced up and down the street to see who was near or watching, feeling a little foolish even as she did so. But Cade was right—they were dealing with nutcases, and precautions needed to be taken right now.
The thought of him sent a twinge of worry through her. René had readily agreed to guide Cade, but that didn't stop the feeling that they were being played like fools. Ike was a clever kid, but she couldn't help thinking his escape didn't fit the profile. Everything Anni and her crew had done so far was meticulously planned, so carelessly tying knots and allowing Ike to escape just didn't make sense.
Unless, of course, that's precisely what they'd wanted.