“Let’s go. When we get to the cabin where the wrangler’s body is, we’ll move it inside for now. Keep low and don’t run in a straight line.” Both men dashed for the line of cabins. Half an hour later the sun had set and they’d uncovered only empty rooms, cleaned and waiting for guests. They moved the body of the wrangler before heading to the final cabin. Here the knob turned, but the door remained closed.

Bram rattled the knob, then banged on the door. “Anyone here? It’s Deputy White.”

A thump, then the door opened.

All three of the female staff members were in the room. They appeared to have been crying. “Wh-wh-what happened to Gary?” the oldest of the three asked.

“Gary?”

“The man, the horse man.” The woman spoke with a strong Polish accent. “Zofia found him.” She nodded at a short blond woman. “She said . . . someone kill him.”

“I’m afraid so. What happened here after the supply wagon left?” Bram asked.

“We started cleaning.” Zofia waved at the other two. “I saw the men bringing some horses when I finish cabin five. I keep working to here. That’s where I found Gary. I scream and Maja and Alicja ran over. We decided not safe out there. We . . .” She paused to search for a word.

“Shove.” Maja made a motion as if pushing a chair. “Blocked the door. We wait.”

“Did you see any of the guests?” Bram asked.

“I think some were going to pond.” Zofia looked at her watch. “But that was long time ago. Maybe they now dead—”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” Wyatt looked at Bram. “We’ll run the three women to the lodge, then search the pond area?”

Bram nodded. He figured they both had the same thought. If no one had returned from their hike, they’d most likely be recovering bodies, not rescuing guests.

Chapter 16

After jamming the chair under the door, I moved around the room, closing the wooden shutters against the encroaching darkness. I felt less exposed, but not any safer.

Roy stood and began lighting the lamps, his movements robotic. I approached him to help, but he wordlessly waved me away.

I moved to the fireplace and added another log to the fire before sitting. “How are you feeling, Cookie?”

“Pretty rotten.” She nudged Bram’s messenger bag. “What’s this?”

I took it from her and opened it. Inside were files with employee names on the tabs plus one labeled Arson Notes. “Looks like Bram’s bag. I’m guessing he left it in Roy’s office when he was interviewing us. That was probably a good thing. If he’d had it in the wagon . . .” I sucked in some air. Don’t go there.

Cookie leaned back and closed her eyes.

“Can I get you an aspirin?” I asked.

“That would be nice. There’s some in the kitchen, above the sink.”