Mountain Ranger Recon. Carol Ericson

      “He’s still missing. German guy.”

      Ian’s step faltered as he met Meg’s gaze and lifted a brow. She could question Richard more thoroughly once they got to the office. Right now they had to clue in Matt that she hadn’t lost one of her hikers through negligence, that a murderer, a terrorist, lurked in their midst.

      They gathered in a circle in the office, everyone chattering at once. Matt came from the back and pulled Meg aside. “You had me worried when we lost contact. Also, I don’t want to add to your stress level here, but you got a call when you were on the hike.”

      “A call?” Meg’s heart hammered in her chest. Getting a call while on the job was never a good sign.

      “It was Felicia. She had to take your son to the emergency room.” Matt patted her arm. “It’s nothing too serious. He fell off his tricycle and sliced his chin…got a few stitches.”

      Meg clutched the straps of her backpack as the blood rushed to her head in a quick succession of fear and relief. She stumbled back, her hip catching the edge of a bookshelf filled with pamphlets.

      She put out a hand to steady herself and her gaze collided with a pair of icy green eyes drilling a hole into her very soul.

      Looked like she didn’t have to tell Ian about his son after all.