I gestured for Andy and Juliette to stand up. We hauled ourselves off the bunk bed. Edgar and Siobhan had collapsed into a hug. I was loath to interrupt them, and after Juliette’s comment they’d surely want us out, but there was still something I needed to know. ‘I’m sorry to put you through this, but I have one more question for you. Did my stepfather come to visit you, two nights ago? A heavy-set South American man? His name’s Marcelo.’

‘No.’ Edgar shook his head. ‘But a woman named Audrey did.’

CHAPTER 35

Andy took the front seat as we bounced back over the ridge. Juliette sat across from me in the back, like we’d been arrested. Gavin was driving for speed this time, which made it a teeth-rattling ride. None of us bothered to look out the windows.

‘So your mother knows more than she’s saying,’ Juliette surmised.

Before we left, I’d asked Gavin if I could check the security cameras in case there was anything in the footage. He’d said, ‘Mate, my bar’s cash only,’ as if it explained the lack of technology, and left it at that.

‘I don’t understand it,’ I replied.

‘Add it to the list.’ She tapped a finger to her lips. ‘I downloaded your book last night. Your mum got a twin?’

Was she trying to impress me? That was Rule 10: identical twins must be duly prepared for. ‘Knox would kill me.’

Juliette laughed, then rested her forehead against the window, her eyes darting across the blinding snow. Her breath was foggy in front of her. ‘We should leave.’

I knew what she was really saying. If Lucy was out in the storm, she was already dead. People die in horror movies by splitting up, but that’s not how people die on mountains: they die by going back for each other. We were at the point where we had to save ourselves.

I leaned forward. I didn’t have to keep my voice that low – the roar of the Oversnow would drown me out unless I deliberately shouted at the driver, but I wanted the physical hint of secrecy. ‘Is Gavin trying to buy Sky Lodge?’

Juliette frowned. ‘How did you know that?’

‘I saw a real estate agreement on your desk, but it’s unsigned. Gavin has a map of your resort pinned to his corkboard. No one’s hiding it. But if you’ll excuse the guesswork, I figure you guys have, let’s say, different business ideals, judging by the dust on his expensive computer and the look on your face walking through the party. It seems to me that he works less hard but makes more money. That pisses you off, so you’re holding out on the sale.’

I’d overplayed my hand to show off my deductions. Maybe I was trying to impress her too.