Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

T he gang worked throughout lunch. The kitchen staff had brought them turkey sandwiches, barbecue chips, and fruit salad.

Mariella had stayed busy with the podcast. She tried to post several times a week in order to keep listeners’ interest. It wasn’t always the big stories or investigations they were working on.

Sometimes she simply offered “Headline Highlights,” which summarized other true crime stories going on in the country. She usually gave fans a peek at what they were currently working on as well.

The actual recording of the podcast was never Andi’s favorite. But the end result was worth the pain of the process.

Mysteries were solved. Killers were identified. People were given closure.

Those things were what mattered most.

“I think I have an update for you guys,” Matthew announced, leaning back in his chair but still staring at his computer screen.

“I could use an update right about now.” Duke ran a hand over his face, appearing exhausted and frustrated.

“It’s about Hans.” Matthew pushed up his glasses again. “I’ve been looking at his socials trying to find some answers. And, yes, I do realize that people lie online. But . . .”

“What did you find?” Ranger leaned closer, looking as if he could use a mental break as well.

“Every December, Hans goes to Germany to spend the Christmas season there. He stays for the entire month.”

“The entire month?” Andi’s voice lilted with surprise. “So you’re saying he’s not in the States on December 6?”

“Yes, that’s what I’m saying.” Matthew nodded curtly. “He’s been doing this for the past five years. It looks like his girlfriend lives in Germany, so he goes to see her.”

Disappointment pressed on her shoulders. Their most promising lead was gone as quickly as it had materialized.

“Is there any way to verify Hans was actually there and he’s not faking his visits to Germany?” Duke asked.

Andi understood where his question came from. They couldn’t afford to blindly trust something just because someone put it online. It was too easy to trick people.

“As a matter of fact, I can confirm his whereabouts. He posted several times on the date of December 6. Each time he claimed he was in Germany. But a couple of years in particular, he took a picture of himself on Saint Nicholas Day. The pictures of the celebrations in the background confirm those photos were actually taken on that date. I double-checked.”

Andi frowned as she realized that yet another one of their leads had just gone up in smoke.

Duke felt they weren’t getting anywhere. He’d never been one for a lot of desk work. He preferred to be out in the field searching for answers. But the storm right now made that difficult.

The few remaining guests at the camp came in and out of the lobby and dining hall. They couldn’t get outside either and, even if they wanted to leave, it would be difficult. The camp wasn’t running any shuttles to the airport right now.

Some of the staff had tried to relieve guests’ boredom by offering Bingo and crafts.

But the general atmosphere in the lodge was one of restlessness.

Juniper emerged from her room shortly after lunch. Her face was still pale and, based on the way her arms were slung across her chest, she was still shaken by everything that had happened.

Despite that, they needed to talk to her.

Andi called her over, and Juniper trudged toward the table, her steps seeming to drag the floor.

She paused by their table, her gaze dull. “Any updates?”

Andi shook her head. “Unfortunately, no. But I was hoping to ask you a few more questions now that I’ve had time to think on things a bit more.”

“About what?” She rubbed her arms, her motions still sluggish.

“About what Heath said,” Andi told her. “He said he and his wife didn’t want to invest in this place and that your parents didn’t have enough money to start it. Do you know anything about that?”

A frown tugged at her lips. “It’s been bugging me ever since he said that. I know what I heard. But now I’m questioning whether or not I truly did misunderstand something.”

“Who might you be able to ask about it?” Duke asked. “Certainly, your parents had other friends they might have said something to.”

“I suppose my mom and dad could have talked to a few people at the Caribou Club. I could give you a couple of names if you think that would help. The first people who come to mind are Dan and Jan—I mostly remember their names because they rhyme. But they were also a nice couple. He always gave me candy—butterscotch.” Juniper shrugged. “But not in a weird way. In a grandfatherly way.”

“If you could give us their last name, that would be great,” Andi said.

“I can find it,” Juniper said. “But I can’t remember it off the top of my head.”

“What about Tim?” Simmy tilted her head in a gentle manner. “Wouldn’t your uncle know something?”

“Maybe.” Juniper shrugged, the motion listless. “I tried to call him to ask him a few questions about a half an hour ago. He’s not answering.”

Tension immediately tightened Duke’s chest. “What do you mean he’s not answering?”

“He went into town to see his son, Jared, earlier this morning. He needed help with something. I can only assume he got there safely, considering this storm. When he left, it wasn’t as bad outside.”

Duke exchanged a look with Andi. “And I assume it’s not like him to not answer his phone.”

“No, it’s not.” Juniper frowned as worry stretched through her voice.

Another person missing? This wasn’t a good sign, especially considering everything that had already happened.