Page 66 of Fire Peak

She tilted her head like an artist about to make her first paint stroke. “What do you think makes it change colors like that?”

“Aside from the angle of the sun, you mean?”

“Right. I thought of it first last night. What if there’s something in the geology here that gives it those colors?”

His skin prickled the way it always did when an idea took fire. “Like a mineral deposit.”

“Yes, exactly. That’s what brought development to this area in the first place. It was all about copper.”

“Didn’t that mine get depleted?”

“Yes, but maybe there’s something else in Fire Peak. It’s just a random thought. I keep wondering about those colors, since I have such a close-up view of the peak.”

Nick turned around in his chair to take in the magnificent sight of the mountain peak. In the morning light, it looked so close you could almost touch it.

“Fire Peak is part of the national park, right? It’s federal land?”

“I assume so. We might even be on federal land here, I’m not sure. April’s been here since before the park was established, but I don’t know if it’s a lease or what. I can find out.”

That kind of information wouldn’t be hard to find, it was probably publicly available. As for the mineral composition of Fire Peak, that might require a geologist and some samples.

“Then add that to your list for the day.” He finished his coffee. “Let’s check in later. I have to go to The Fang tonight. I asked Bear to let me know if anyone with a Russian-ish accent showed up. Someone finally did, just last night. Bear thinks he’ll be back tonight.”

“I want to come with you.”

“No, I’m better off alone for this job.”

“I’m great in pub-type environments. Being a tall blonde has its advantages.” She winked at him as she shook her hair out in shimmering waves over her shoulders.

He ignored her flirtatiousness. “You just got shot with a damn arrow. Absolutely not.”

“You’re not my doctor. If my thigh starts to hurt, I’ll have a drink.”

“You’re on painkillers. You can’t drink.”

“I’m perfectly lucid.” She snapped her fingers. “In fact, I just remembered where I saw that handwriting before, from that photo. At Lila’s. I found a folder with a bunch of old papers and journals. This is the same handwriting.”

29

Even though Charlie was feeling so much better, Nick convinced her to stay at the lodge for the day. She had to admit he was right when she got up to say goodbye after breakfast. Even though her thigh didn’t burn anymore, it still throbbed. Driving into town would be uncomfortable to say the least.

One more day of babying herself wouldn’t kill her.

Before she got into her “tasks” for the day—most of which required tracking down April—she went out onto the terrace and called her father.

“Hi, bunny.”

The sound of his voice gave her such a rush of relief and gratitude that she had to grip the railing for support. “Hi Daddy. Is everything okay? How are you feeling?”

“There’s a nurse here who has a crush on me.” He sounded so delighted that she had to smile.

“Of course there is. You’re the ultimate charmer, always have been. Say, any more visits from Hobbs?”

“Not a one. Please tell me you’re having nothing to do with them.”

Charlie’s eyes closed as she offered up a little prayer to the higher powers. “I have nothing to do with them. Not a thing. No contact. I’m just glad they’re leaving you alone.”

“It’s smooth sailing from here. I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m going to be fine. Taraji, that’s the nurse, she says she’s going to help me find a place to live and all that kind of stuff. If I find a place near the hospital, I can walk here for my appointments.”

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