Peter nodded as if to put an end to the matter and looked out across the lake towards the twinkling islands. He should think of getting home. They were in for a cold night and besides, there were things he had to talk over with Cooper that he didn’t have the words for right now. He dug a fist inside the pocket of his wolfskin, feeling for one of his gloves. He reached for the other. But as well as the glove, his fingers found something else.

The object was smooth to the touch and rounded like a pebble worn soft by water. It was attached to a keyring. Peter pulled it free and held it in his palm. The black plastic pebble had a tiny red light in the middle. And the light was blinking. It was only now Peter realized the Ghost Ranger’s intentions. He thought back to Yellowstone. In his mind’s eye, he saw that gloved hand withdraw like a shadow across the coat in Cooper’s arms. Peter’s heart pounded like a fist against a door. He went to shove his hand back in his pocket before Tokala had time to notice the device. But it was too late.

Tokala’s dark eyes widened. “Drop it.”

“I’m sorry,” said Peter.

“I said, drop it.”

Tokala prized Peter’s hand open, wrenching the tracker from his grip. He dropped it on to the ice and with one swift move, stamped the light clean out of it.

“I’m sorry,” said Peter. “I’m sorry. We—”

“Retracing your steps to what could’ve been matters little right now.”

“But—”

“He’s either dead or on his way.”

Peter staggered round, taking in each one of those vulnerable little islands in turn.

“He could be anywhere.”

“Yes. And we need to get off the ice.”

“He could be watching us right now.”

“Go home, Peter.”

“But we need to warn the others. I need to warn Cooper.”

“Yes,” said Tokala. “But let me.”

“But—”

“Let me take care of it. We must act fast. We’re already as exposed out here as a mouse beneath a hawk-filled sky. Now go. Take refuge in the cabin perched on the rock back there until I come for you. It’s closest.”

Peter glanced towards Darlene’s old place on Boulder. Perhaps he could take his chances out on the ice and make a run for it to Cooper’s. If he could just get as far as the watchtower, he could make it the rest of the way. But Tokala had already made a run for the snowy islands of Six Little Fishes where most of the newcomers had settled. He called out one last time.

“Peter, go back!”