Page 55 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

Brook quickly realized that only three heavy-duty Arctic survival jackets were rated for temperatures far below freezing. More had been in the other bag, which was currently crushed under a mountain of rock.

There were a few thermal emergency blankets folded into packets the size of her palm. She set one aside while taking stock of a few thermal water bottles, a package of high-calorie emergency rations, a spool of paracord, a multi-tool, chemical heat packs, and a spare flashlight with extra batteries.

There weren’t enough supplies for four people for an extended period, but she hoped like hell they would be out of this cave sooner rather than later.

Jacob hadn’t responded to her claim about Mekhi. She figured her brother was waiting for more confirmation. He wouldn’t play his own hand until he was certain of hers.

“Your sketchbook was discovered underneath some wooden planks.” Brook paused to meet Jacob’s intense gaze. “We also found Sally. She’s already on her way back home.”

It was obvious that Russell and Victor would have appreciated more details, but she wouldn’t give Jacob the satisfaction of hearing them from her. She also wouldn’t inform him that what was left of Sally would fly back with them on their private plane.

Jacob’s expression didn’t change, but there was a shift in his demeanor.

“There’s nothing waiting for you. There’s nothing to show me.” Brook slipped her arms into the sleeves of the insulated jacket. She zipped the front shut before adjusting the collar. “This elaborate scheme to get me here for some imaginary anniversary has resulted in absolutely nothing.”

“An anniversary is an anniversary, dear sister. There is nothing imaginary about the day you and I stood over Sally Pearson’s body as she bled out in old man Herring’s cornfield.” Jacob shifted on the ground, causing Victor to stiffen in response. Brook realized that her brother was attempting to stand. The cold was getting to him. “Do you remember what I told you that day?”

“You mean how I don’t get to be the normal one?” There hadn’t been a day that had gone by that his words hadn’t reverberated through her mind. “And there it is. The difference between us, Jacob. One that you haven’t accepted yet, so I’ll clue you in. I learned throughout my career and life that no one is normal. Everything you’ve done for my sake has been a waste of time.”

Brook forced her lips to curve upward, though the effort to smile made it feel as if it were cracking her face. Could her brother witness what was underneath? She imagined fault lines spreading across her skin, years of carefully maintained composure finally giving way.

Jacob was like battery acid, eating away at her core, slowly dissolving her into nothing. Every interaction had come at a cost, but she was now in control.

“Sally is going home today, where she belongs. Your so-called shrine is currently being processed by a forensics team. You’re done.”

“Am I? I got you here, didn’t I?”

Victor stepped forward, placing himself between her and Jacob.

“As Victor already pointed out, he won’t hesitate to fire his weapon should he believe you’re attempting to flee.” Brook handed Victor one of the thermal blankets. “Tie this around his neck, but make sure the opening is in the back.”

Whatever Jacob imagined could occur over the next few hours, or possibly even longer if they couldn’t locate an exit from the ice cave, Brook was determined not to let him escape their custody. She was intent on keeping his hands covered for the duration.

“We need to make a decision,” Brook stated as she started repacking the bags. She was certain that Jacob had knowledge of another exit, possibly nearby. It was also highly likely that he had planned to navigate the passageways to reach the other side. After all, he had wanted her to witness his so-called shrine. “The explosion was heard by those at the base of the mountain. I figure we have two choices—stay here and hope a rescue team can clear the rock debris outside, or search for another exit close by.”

“We should stay here,” Russell advised, gesturing toward one of the bags. “Those heat packs are usually good for eight hours. We break some open, remain in place, and give the rescue team a chance to get us out of here.”

“There is another option.” Victor turned so that the light on his headlamp was aimed down the main passageway. “I leave you three here and do some exploring. If I can locate a?—”

“We stick together.” Brook’s response was adamant, and Victor eventually nodded his understanding. There were too many drawbacks to separating. “The problem with waiting in place is that we have no idea how bad it is out there. If they can’t reach us, we could be wasting hours. Jacob, you planned for me to be in here at some point. You intended to lead me to the other side of the mountain. You must know of other exits.”

“Was that a statement or a question?” Jacob inquired with a wide smile. The thermal blanket was now bunched around his neck, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Go ahead, sis. Ask me to lead you out of this mountain.”

27

Graham Elliott

June 2025

Wednesday — 11:43 pm

Graham brought the rental car to a stop in front of the temporary command center. Despite the late hour, the Alaskan sky remained in an eerie twilight, with clouds starting to clear just before the fleeting summer night was set to arrive. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, but he soon relaxed his hold, making sure to appear calm before turning off the engine.

Brook was trapped somewhere in that mountain.

Every minute that passed without action was another minute she might not have.

He stepped out of the sedan, searching for a specific individual. The temperature had dropped to the forties, and a slight breeze carried the scent of wet earth and pine from the dense forest that bordered the mountain base.

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