Page 120 of Only One More Lie

“For sure. Apparently, Caleb owed this guy money. But the man eventually left the camp, and Caleb thought he was in the clear. He believes this guy came back and confronted Pepper. He thinks this man killed her as a way of making good on his threat to Caleb, and that Emmett must have seen something.”

“Another casualty . . .” Andi murmured.

“This guy was also the one who compromised the ice because he knew Caleb would be going out there.”

“What about the things that happened to us while we were here?” Duke asked. “The beard somebody drew on the mirror, the snowman on the Christmas tree . . .”

“Caleb was responsible,” Gibson said. “He was afraid you might catch on to what was going on with him, so he tried to scare you away. Little did he know that the actual December Dismemberer was here at the camp and planning his next murder.”

Andi glanced at Duke and squeezed his hand again. “At least we can be thankful that this is all over.”

“If you guys hadn't been here, I have no doubt Heath would have struck again. That he would have claimed another victim. The state of Alaska may not realize this, but they owe you a lot of thanks.”

“I'm just glad that this guy has been stopped,” Andi said. “Maybe people can rest easier now and truly enjoy the upcoming holiday.”

“Let's hope.” Gibson stood. “I need to continue to get some statements and look into things. What are you guys going to do now?”

Duke and Andi glanced at each other.

Duke knew what he wanted. He wanted to have a nice long talk with Andi. To get some things out in the open.

“As soon as we're cleared to leave, I suppose we can go back to Fairbanks,” Duke said.

“It should only be a few more hours. I know they’re setting up in the lodge area for now. That's where the rest of the gang went”.

“We'll head there in a second,” Duke said. “Thanks.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Gibson said before waving and stepping from the vehicle.

Maybe this was the moment he’d been waiting for—the moment he and Andi could really talk.

CHAPTER 65

There was so much on Andi's mind. So much she wanted to tell Duke.

Being in the back of an ambulance didn't seem like the best time or place. But this was what she had right now, and she didn't want to waste another moment.

“I'm sorry for the way I've been acting lately,” Andi said.

“What's been going on in that head of yours?” Duke’s soft gaze met hers. “It's been so hard not knowing or being able to help.”

She rubbed the skin between her eyes as she tried to gather her thoughts. “I've been having these panic attacks lately. I didn't want to tell you because I don't want to seem weak. I don't want everybody else to see me like this either.”

“Struggling isn't a sign of weakness,” Duke said.

“In my head I know you're right, but that's not what my mentor taught me. He told me that leaders should always be strong. I didn't want to burden you guys anymore. Everyone has been through so much. It's not just me.”

“What causes these panic attacks?”

Andi blew out a breath. “Anytime something reminds me of being captured and strapped down to that operating table.” Hervoice sounded strained, even to her own ears. “The top of my head starts to ache every time.”

Duke squinted. “It does?”

She nodded. “I even panicked to the point where I went to the doctor. It was on the day you were meeting with everyone to finalize the sale of your travel business. I didn't want to mention it—not unless they found something.”

Duke squeezed her hand tighter. “Did they find anything?”

She shook her head. “No, they didn’t. I was afraid those guys really had managed to somehow insert something into me that was changing my thoughts. I couldn't get that idea out of my head.”

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