was the body of the injured climber.
“He fell.”
“But he was still alive when you called us.” They’d gotten here as quickly as they could.
“I don’t know, man, you know how these things happen. He fell and his injuries killed him.”
Yeah, Isaiah knew. He trudged in the direction of the body, the thrum of a helicopter drawing closer. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Cade’s silhouette in the distance as he made his way to gather the gear being dropped.
Something didn’t add up. None of the climbers were equipped to climb the summit or traverse the cliff side. How did they get here? Confusion along with an unwelcome sick feeling that something was definitely wrong crawled over him like a sudden, drastic drop in temperature.
“Where are you going?” Zach followed. “I said he was dead. There’s nothing more you can do for him. We need to get out of here tonight. You’re wasting time.”
Isaiah kept walking. “None of us are getting out tonight.”
“What?” The guy jerked Isaiah around.
“A storm’s coming. Life Flight is planning to hoist the injured man out of here in the morning, that is, after the storm clears out.”
“We don’t need to wait.”
“The logistics of getting everyone out tonight are a nightmare. In the morning when the storm clears is better. It’s safer. And it’s the only option.”
Isaiah proceeded to the body. He knelt down to examine the man, pulling out his flashlight. Had he died of hypothermia?
Then he found the blood and...a gunshot entry wound. When he was up top, he thought he’d heard a gunshot ring out in the distance behind him, too far to be related to the group in the valley. Had he been wrong about that?
Stiffening, Isaiah slowly pressed his hand inside his parka, covering the weapon in his shoulder holster. He was here to rescue people, not hurt them.
“Don’t even think about it.” Zach pressed the cold muzzle of a gun against the back of Isaiah’s exposed neck.
Closing his eyes, Isaiah sent up a prayer and calculated his next move.
The gun pressed harder, digging into his flesh. “Put your hands up where I can see them and slowly stand up.”
Zach backed away from Isaiah as he turned to face the guy, his hands up. Too bad. He could have wrestled the weapon from him.
“He’s dead because he’d only slow us down,” Zach said. “Are you going to be next?”
Heidi unpacked the tents and synthetic insulated blankets, tossing them to the wary climbers by the fire. Jason, Liam and then Rhea. The woman, face pale, lips a little blue, wore a dazed expression and shivered. It appeared she might be getting hypothermic. None of that came as a surprise considering the climbers had been waiting for hours for the SAR team to arrive.
Heidi must have let her gaze linger on Rhea too long because the woman blinked and looked up from the fire, regarding Heidi with an odd expression. Heidi hated that Rhea gave her the creeps. She was here to assist Rhea and her climbing buddies, so Heidi didn’t like thinking that way about anyone. Yet she almost wished the moon wasn’t shining on the woman’s face. Soon enough, she’d have her wish as the light in the sky shifted behind the mountains or the storm clouds hid it from view. Unfortunately, she didn’t relish working in the dark, either.
Heidi focused her attention back on removing the needed equipment from the various packs. The snow flukes to help secure the tents against the heavy and wet snow, along with the high winds that would come with the expected storm. The small camping stove and fuel they’d mostly use to melt snow for water. Sleeping bags. Now all she needed was some help to get the tents set up.
A blast of icy wind swept over her. It was definitely picking up. She shivered at the thought. Heidi hated to weather a storm like this, but the good thing was they’d gotten here beforehand and these people would have ample protection now. Cade had been right to insist she help. The swell of satisfaction she received when helping others was returning.
“You should wait,” Rhea said.
Heidi looked up from the pack—stuff now strewn around. “Wait? Why would I do that? The faster I can get you warmed up the better.”
“Because we’re hiking out tonight.”
The woman wasn’t making any sense, didn’t know what she was talking about. Yep, her core body temperature was too low. The quicker Heidi got Rhea inside a tent, the better. Heidi glanced at the two men who only stared into the fire. Obviously, they had experience in dealing with Rhea. Heidi would follow their example. She kept her thoughts to herself and focused on setting up camp. No need to further antagonize Rhea.
Cade had gone off to grab the rest of the supplies the helicopter dropped a few hundred yards from them to keep it safe, and Isaiah went to check on the deceased climber. Not so far away, but they couldn’t get back fast enough for her.
“Did you hear me?” Rhea’s tone grew belligerent.
What was this all about?
“That was never the plan.” Heidi stood tall, facing her. “The plan was that a helicopter would hoist anyone who was injured out in the morning. It’s too dangerous tonight.”
Cade came from the shadows and tossed more packs and sleeping bags toward Heidi, where they plopped in the snow. Heidi shot him a look.
“What’s the problem?” Cade caught his breath, then focused on Rhea. Jason and Liam stood up as if they were answering a challenge.
“No problem,” Rhea said. “I told her not to unpack. We’re hiking out.”
Cade frowned.
Isaiah came into the circle of light, Zach right behind him. Zach shoved Isaiah forward.
What was going on?
Zach held two guns and pointed one at Isaiah and one at Cade. “I’ll need your weapons and all communication devices.” He glanced over at Heidi. “You, too, sweetheart.”
Heidi gulped for air. This couldn’t be happening. What would Cade do? She watched him, willing him to hear her pleading.
Don’t try to be a hero now, Cade. Please don’t.
“I don’t have anything on me,” Heidi said.
“You’re going to have to prove it.” Zach waved the gun. “Take off your coats.”
“What?” Cade said. “It’s too cold out here! We have to stay the night on this mountain.”
Zach pressed the gun into Isaiah’s temple. “I don’t need all three of you.”
“Yes, you need us all.” Heidi didn’t hide the desperation
