Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

J uniper gave them directions to the cabin where they’d be staying, as well as the code for the front door.

Duke welcomed the break.

After packing up their equipment, the team headed there with their overnight bags.

This particular cabin was located toward the back of the property. It featured three bedrooms, which worked out perfectly. Ranger and Simmy could stay together. Andi and Mariella would be in the second room. And Duke and Matthew would take the third.

Duke and Matthew weren’t exactly kindred spirits, but they would make it work.

Duke took a better look at the cabin. The place had already been decorated for Christmas with a large tree in the corner and a garland on the railing. In other circumstances, he might enjoy himself here.

“Why don’t we all unpack and then regroup?” Mariella suggested. “Plus, dinner is in thirty minutes. I don’t know about you all, but I’m starving.”

That sounded like a plan to him.

But it was crazy to think it was already dinnertime. The window of daylight they’d had for the day had now disappeared into the eerie glow of the sunless sky around them.

It didn’t matter how long Duke had lived in Alaska, he never got used to the winter in Fairbanks. At the shortest, on the winter equinox, the area had less than four hours of daylight.

But even when the sun sank, its light wasn’t totally gone. Instead, it lingered low on the horizon in a civil twilight.

As he deposited his bag in his bedroom, he paused.

A footprint marred the floor—a large one, probably from someone wearing a boot. It was near the window, heading away from the exterior and inside the cabin.

Normally, he might not think anything about a footprint. Maybe the cleaning staff had left it.

But this footprint almost looked fresh.

He surveyed the room but saw nothing of concern. Yet something about the print bothered him.

He kneeled down and touched the edge of the shoe mark.

That was when he realized the sediment left behind was still damp.

Someone had been in here recently.

Duke supposed it could have been someone in maintenance or housekeeping.

But he’d keep his eyes wide open just in case it wasn’t.

In the meantime, he tried to put the footprint out of his mind as he continued looking around.

Matthew set his bags on the floor on the opposite side of the room.

Then he paused. Duke could tell he had something on his mind.

Matthew pushed his plastic framed glasses up higher on his nose as he turned to Duke. “Look, I’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to talk to you one on one. I wanted to tell you that I’m really sorry about what happened on our last case.”

Duke’s gut tightened. He knew what Matthew was referring to.

Matthew had dated a girl who turned out to be working for one of their enemies. She’d been sent to get information, and Matthew had trusted her entirely too much—despite numerous warnings from the team.

His decisions had almost gotten the murder club killed. He’d been blinded by love and tricked by a beautiful woman. He wasn’t the first man in history to do so. He wouldn’t be the last either.

However, ever since then, Matthew hadn’t quite been acting like himself. He’d been more aloof and withdrawn.

“You don’t have to apologize.” Duke paused beside one of the two sets of bunkbeds in the room.

“But I do. I was stupid.” Matthew shook his head, his eyes downcast. “I just wanted to find what the rest of you guys have. A partner. I’m the odd man out here. Sometimes the loneliness gets to me.”

“A relationship will happen when it’s supposed to happen,” Duke said. “There’s no need to rush things.”

He wasn’t usually one to counsel other guys on dating. After all, Duke was in his early thirties and had never been married. But he had Andi now. However, based on the walls she’d been putting up lately, things weren’t perfect between them either.

Matthew shrugged and backed up until he leaned against the wall. “I know. I’m not in the easiest position to meet people right now, if you know what I mean. I work at home by myself, and when I’m not doing that, I’m traveling with you guys. That’s why I decided to give online dating a try. I won’t be doing that again.”

“You never know when the right woman will show up.” Duke stepped closer to drive home his point. “Just hold tight and be patient. You don’t need to apologize anymore.”

“Thanks for being so understanding.” Matthew nodded at the door and sighed. “I guess we should get to dinner.”

“Probably.”

They headed into the small living room area to meet the rest of the team.

Everyone waited near the fireplace.

Duke’s gaze went to Andi as she hovered near the fire.

She was not only beautiful with her blonde hair and trim figure, but she was intelligent and spunky as well.

If Duke had his way, he’d never take his eyes off her. She was amazing, and he was so thankful to be with her. It had been a long journey to get to this point, filled with too many ups and downs—and near-death experiences. He hoped most of the danger was finally behind them, though he wasn’t naive enough to think that was true.

Andi spotted him, and her gaze lit. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’m starving. Investigating murder can really work up an appetite.”

“Then by all means, let’s go eat.” Duke was rather hungry himself.

Maybe some food was just what they needed to clear their minds.

The gang stepped outside into the darkness.

Andi and Duke walked side by side through the snow toward the lodge.

Soon, they’d need to dive deeper into their investigation. But for now, they’d eat and get a feel for this place. She hoped they might have a chance to see Peppermint’s place later and check for any clues there. But right now, the police had cordoned it off and given strict orders for no one to go inside.

She would try to respect that.

“Why would someone leave that note on Peppermint?” Mariella asked, looking like a snow princess in her white coat, pink hat, and sparkly earrings.

That was typical Mariella for you. She liked to add a little sparkle wherever she went.

“Was that a message for Pepper?” Mariella continued. “Or for someone else?”

“Excellent question.” Ranger tugged his black stocking cap down over his ears as the breeze picked up.

“It said: I told you this would happen,” Andi said as she jammed her hands into the pockets of her black down coat. “It almost sounds like someone warned her and wanted to make a statement.”

“This investigation could be a lot more interesting than I anticipated,” Duke murmured. “It’s certainly started with a bang.”

“You think the person who killed Pepper is still here at the camp?” Simmy asked.

“It’s worth considering,” Ranger told her.

“I just feel so badly for Juniper,” Simmy said quietly. “She’s carrying so many burdens for someone her age.”

Andi knew Simmy had been through a lot of loss also. If anyone could understand, it was Simmy. Her compassion made her a valuable part of this team.

“Should we ask Juniper about it?” Matthew asked.

“I’d think she would volunteer that information if she knew more,” Simmy said.

“Unless she’s hiding something.” Duke slid the words into the conversation.

Andi glanced at him. “You think she’s hiding something?”

He shrugged. “I do.”

“But she asked us to come here,” Simmy reminded them. “Why would she ask us to come if she’s not going to share everything?”

“Because everyone has secrets,” Mariella murmured. “Everyone.”

No one denied her words.

Instead, Andi glanced around at the festive light poles, at the colorful Christmas lights.

Life continued on after loss and tragedy.

But that didn’t mean things returned to normal. It was a lesson Andi was learning for herself also.