Page 15 of When the Silence Breaks

He stopped the vehicle, turned off all the lights, and waited until the other vehicle slowly passed. They’d missed the road, if they were trying to follow him. But he didn’t think they knew Sarah was with him. Still, he wouldn’t take any chances. He didn’t turn the lights back on or drive farther down the road. Time to talk.

“You nailed it, Sarah. That’s exactly the truth. I could get us killed if I can’t see where I’m going, or in your case, I don’tknowwhere I’m going. I need to know everything to guide you. Everything. Are we clear?”

“I think so. I have a feeling that you don’t need all that information from other clients, at least back when you were actually guiding. But it sounds like ... I think ... you’re saying you’ll guide me.”

“Under the conditions I’ve set forth.”

“You drive a hard bargain.”

“It’s not a bargain. I’m asking you for truth about what I’m getting into, if I agree.”

“Okay. Fine. Here it is. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Sarah stared out the window and blew out a frustrated breath. “You’re not going to like it.”

“I don’t like you stalling.”

“Okay. Okay. I don’t know. Okay? I don’t know what I’m looking for, exactly. I don’t know who is following me.”

He would have laughed, except he heard the truth in her words.

“Then tell me what triggered you. What started this search for the missing plane? Nobody has come looking for that treasure trove of Nazi gold for over a decade, maybe even two.”

“My brother’s death, Ryder. Aaron was murdered.”

Now that, he hadn’t expected.

Seven

She didn’t know how, but from the start, Ryder had picked up on her ulterior motives—outside of someone hiring a guide for a regular, everyday tromp up the mountain. She’d have to be careful around him, but sure, she had to give him something if she wanted something in return. Giving him what she’d just shared had pained her. Only she and Tessa knew this, believed it, and now one more person had been added to the list. Well, once she spilled the rest.

Being on the list of those in the know wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

And now, maybe he would be completely out.

“You’re not some rogue agent, are you?”

“Puh-lease.” Although, he wasn’t that far off. She could give him something, at least. “Since Aaron’s death, his wife has been followed and their home searched. She’s afraid for her life. I tucked her and three-year-old Jeremy away in a safe house for now while I get justice for Aaron. Find the answers to keep them safe. I have more questions than answers for what this is about, but the truth lies on the mountain.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You can’t just call the police?”

“Who said I didn’t?”

“Did you?”

“My sister-in-law did about the break-in and the followers. Nothing came of that. But we both know she’s in danger, they’re in danger. And, sure, I’m in danger too. As for me, I have no proof that Aaron was murdered or that it’s connected to what he was digging into.”

“And you think that proof is on the mountain.” His statement was rhetorical and sounded skeptical.

“Yeah, I knew you’d find it hard to believe. Help or don’t, but whatever you do, do it fast. I think someone else wants to stop me or is also after the same answers. I don’t have much time.”

He rubbed his jaw. “So you want me to take you up Blackspire Mountain because your brother was murdered—so you believe—and the reason why is on the mountain. Let me just add, you don’t have a lot of time, considering the weather is turning.”

He hadn’t told her if her answer was enough reason for him to help. He was thinking it through. She couldn’t blame him. This was dangerous business.

He flipped the lights on and steered the vehicle deeper into the woods. Sarah searched for her Explorer. Then Ryder stopped. “Let’s get out. We need to walk the rest of the way.”