Page 28 of Mountain Target

That’s what we’re going to do.

The night was pitch-black, the landscape outside the warm SUV a black and gray blur.

“I can’t see anything,” she said.

“Ren’s bike has a light, right?” Beau asked.

“Yes. Of course.”

“Keep an eye out for the light, then.” He looked at his watch. “We might still catch up with her.”

“What if I’m wrong, Beau? What if this isn’t the right place?”

“Alex is checking the ice rink. He’ll stay there, just in case she’s on her way. We’ll check La Flégère. If Ren’s not there, we’ll wake up the entire Three Valleys police force. I promise we’re going to find her, Valentina.”

His strong hands, with their square clipped nails, tightened around the wheel as he took a corner much faster than she would have dared do. The road flew by, and all Val could think of was just how narrow the road was—and how vulnerable a young girl on a bike would be, riding along that narrow space.

Fear bubbled up in her mouth, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, Beau’s right hand was on the back of her neck, pushing her gently forward.

“Breathe, Valentina. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to find her,” he said, and in his voice she heard the promise. She knew it wasn’t made lightly. Like her, he was in a profession where he had to be careful not to promise things he might later not be able to deliver on.

“I’m okay. I’m okay,” she repeated, like a mantra.

She wasn’t, really, but she didn’t want him focused on her. His full attention had to be on the road ahead of them, and on getting them to the Flégère parking area as quickly as possible.

The parking lot was empty at this time of night, and Beau got them as close as possible to the start of the trail. The SUV’s powerful headlights illuminated the path. And there, propped up against a tree, was a bicycle.

“Is that—“

“That’s Ren’s bike,” Val confirmed. She’d struggled to bring that bike with them from Paris—feared she might have to leave it behind, even though Ren loved that bike—until, at the last minute, a local garage had taken pity on her and installed a rooftop bicycle rack on her car. "She’s here.”

Her heart beat a staccato rhythm.

She’s here.

She’s here.

Beau

Beau leaned into the trunk of his car, selecting, from the large box there, several items—some blankets, a first aid kit, a satellite phone, and several other small objects.

He went through the list in his mind, confirming he had everything he needed, carefully placing each item in his faded rescue backpack.

Finally, he picked up two headlamps, turning them on to check the batteries. He put one on his own forehead, then gave the other one to Valentina.

“Here, let me help you,” he said. He realized she didn’t have a hat, so he took his hat out of his pocket and placed it on her head before tightening the headlamp strap so it fit snuggly.

“I can’t take your hat,” she said weakly.

“I have another one somewhere back here.”

“You have everything back here,” she said, peeking in.

That had always been his motto.

Prepare for the worst-case scenario.