Alyssa stilled Joe’s thumping with a palm over his hand. ‘Remember, we don’t know for certain Tony’s involved. We just have to make sure we look at every branch of information, not simply the ones we want to see.’ Even though she’d said it to him, she knew she was voicing the words as much for her benefit as for Joe’s.

‘You’re right. This could all be a huge ass coincidence. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been wrong.’ He made eye contact with each member of the team. ‘Remember, there’s little to no cell service up where we’re headed, and what is available at the base is only when you first head in, and it’s spotty at best. Keep your walkie talkies handy.’

As if the two of them had coordinated the script, Cord reached into a box and tossed a radio unit to everyone, save Hal, who sat with a gloomy expression Alyssa hadn’t witnessed since the days he’d first learned he’d be confined to a wheelchair the rest of his life. It was that look that sent the weight of anticipating what they might learn once they were up there in the mountains crashing down on her.

‘I got ahold of Mountain Search and Rescue. They agreed to meet you at the Glorieta turn-off so they can lead you in.’ Hal’s even tone did little to hide the hurt and guilt of all that haunted his mind. His gaze shifted to the darkening shadows of the room. ‘Sun sets early this time of year, and it’s going to be dark before you ever get there, so be careful. You have more than just mountain lions and bears to worry about.’

Hal’s warning immediately triggered the memory of Isaac’s harrowing mountain escape, sending Alyssa’s heart racing. Concern stained the faces of her teammates, and she knew everyone had guessed where her head had gone. But she didn’t have time to dwell on that. Isaac was safe. Addis and Emerson were not. Shaking it off, she began issuing orders.

‘Sandra, you’ll be with Joe. Cord’s with me. Hal, keep shoveling until we learn everything we can about Adam Campbell. I want to know what his favorite childhood food was, his first pet’s name, his first girlfriend, and everything in between and after. And find out if there’s anything else outside the little league team linking him and Tony.’ The air in the room swelled with tension, and she didn’t miss the way everyone stiffened. Making the demand in and of itself seemed like a betrayal, but it had to be done.