“First, if you decide to mention Michael or make up something about being forced against your will, then I’ll make sure no one believes anything you say. You know how people feel about hysterical women. I’ll let them know how much help you need. You do, you know.”
Ellie couldn’t believe all the things that were coming out of this man’s mouth, but it was starting to dawn on her that he truly believed them. He saw himself as wronged by her.
“I’m not forcing you to do anything,” he continued. “You manipulated Sean, and now you’re trying to manipulate me. If you try to make my life harder, I’ll do the same for you.”
Talking him down really wasn’t going well.
“So we head for the police and they take us into town. What happens next?” she asked.
“We go directly to the office, and you sign off on the next stage of building.”
It was long after working hours, and the office would be empty. Ellie quaked at the idea of being alone with him. But Aidan needed her to do this. The details that had set off this whole disastrous chain of events this morning called out like a warning to her. Green Living Construction needed all three owners to sign off on expenses over five thousand dollars, and Ellie had to wonder why this clause had been in their rules in the first place. Had Sean or Clint suspected that Aidan wasn’t trustworthy? Another shudder of dread ran through her as memories broke through that hazy cloud that still hung over her mind. Memories from this morning, inside the cave. Something to do with Sean. It’s all your fault.
“Sean said no to your project,” she whispered.
She hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but it was too late. Aidan heard her, and his face exploded with rage.
“He backed out because of you. He said you wouldn’t want him involved in another project like the other one—the one where you’re living. The one that you’re still reaping the benefits from.”
“I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stuttered.
“Liar.”
There was so much frustration in his voice. Aidan definitely believed what he was saying. Had Sean used her as an excuse when he’d seen that Aidan was buying their way around laws and then written in the agreement clause about expenses? She wouldn’t have wanted him to go forward after she’d seen the records of the “gifts” the company had given just before the committee’s decision reversal...if she had known about it. But Sean hadn’t said a word about it.
Your fault.
The accusation rattled her, the same way it had rattled her back in the cave. In a twisted way, it was true. Even if she hadn’t had anything to do with it, she had wanted Sean to take a step back from the business that had sucked all his time, energy and attention. She hadn’t wanted Green Living Construction to start on the next development because she had wanted her husband back. And now he was gone.
Should she have let it be? Should she have not pushed so hard? But that would have put strain on them in other ways. It would also mean that Sean could still be alive. Aidan needed to be stopped, but why had it had to come at the expense of her husband’s life? The car crash was an accident, and there were so many if-onlys, too many to keep track of. If only they hadn’t argued. If only they hadn’t had an early snow that year. The cascade of ifs threatened to bury her, the way it had so many times.
Don’t do this to yourself. It was in God’s hands, not yours.
With that thought, relief came flooding through her. It wasn’t her fault. A new thought occurred to her, one that, up until this point, she hadn’t let herself think. Another if-only. If only Aidan hadn’t followed him that day.
“You were behind him. At the car crash.”
“I wasn’t chasing him,” he snapped, as if her words had been an accusation. “I just wanted to talk more. Our discussion wasn’t over.”
The words sent a new wave of fear through her. She could read between the lines, hear what he was denying. The brothers had had an argument and Aidan had been upset with Sean. Did Aidan, deep down, blame himself, too? Ellie wasn’t even sure he’d let himself think that far. It was easier to blame her than to blame himself.
This conversation was getting worse. She picked up the speed as they continued down the road toward the curve. Everything she said seemed to anger him more, making him even more volatile. As they rounded the curve in the road, she strained to see the police car.
We’re in God’s hands. The thought was a balm for her. Not only couldn’t she change the past—she needed to stop blaming herself. She needed to let it go. She had done her best with what she’d known, but God decided, not her. Not even Aidan. Just like He decided right now.
She caught the first glimpse of the police car up ahead. This was nowhere near over, but Ellie was ready for whatever she would face next.
The police car was parked at a quiet intersection, blocking the road in the direction Ellie and Aidan came from. Two officers stood underneath the dark traffic light, dressed in thick jackets and winter hats. As Ellie came closer, she could make out one as a tall man standing in the middle of the intersection. The road seemed to be blocked off to traffic—maybe because of the avalanche? The other officer was shorter, with her long hair tied in a low bun. She stood next to the only other vehicle in sight, talking to the driver through the window.
“I’ll do the talking,” said Aidan in a low voice. “Don’t try to manipulate this situation. Remember, if you ruin my life, I’ll ruin yours.”
As the mix of frustration and bitterness came through in his voice, Ellie shivered. This was a man who had just shot Michael, and left him out on the mountain, and now he was talking about her ruining his life? Aidan was both single-minded and determined, and she could feel that he was never going to leave her alone. Ever.
When this day had started, the crime Aidan had committed was bribery, the kind of crime that he could just pay more money to smooth over. But shooting someone? Ellie wanted to think that there were bigger consequences for that, like jail. But Aidan’s plan was to deny all of this, and he seemed to have enough confidence in this scheme that he was walking by her side, straight for the police. What other crimes had he committed? A shot of fear ran through her. She had celebrated Christmas with him, sat next to him in church. She had to be careful. Unless they found Michael, there was nothing concrete to show the police that Aidan was a threat to her.
Before, her intention had been to retrieve the go bag and run, but now she was no longer just choosing for herself. She had to consider Michael in her strategy, too. If she opened up to the police right now, and they didn’t believe her, it would provoke Aidan, putting her and Michael in even more danger. That was especially likely if her brother-in-law knew one or both of the officers. Then again, what other choice did Ellie have? Michael was injured up on the mountain. That was more important than escaping Aidan right now.
Please, Lord, let him live.
Ellie walked through the snow as exhaustion churned with fear inside her. Each step was more difficult than the last. She had been running all day, and the urge to surrender, to give up this fight, was strong. She wanted to rest, and maybe, if it was just her, she might have given up. But Ellie needed to know that Michael was safe, and that need overpowered everything else. She had to try.
So she straightened, refusing to give in to fear, as they rounded the police car and stepped into the intersection. The lone car drove away, leaving the four of them standing in the snow, the flashes of blue and red lighting up their faces. The woman was closer, but Aidan ignored her.
“Garrett,” he called in that hardy confident voice, so different from the snide bitterness he’d used with her.
Ellie’s gut twisted as the worst-case scenario came true. Aidan did know the officer, and he was using the same voice she’d heard him use too many times before, that charm of someone who was confident that life would go his way. And this was a friend. The chances of the officer believing Ellie over him had just dropped precipitously.
“Aidan, buddy, is that you?” said the officer, his voice full of concern. “What are you doing out here in the storm? Did you get stuck in the avalanche?”
“We got caught on the edge of it and wrecked our sleds up on Old Mill Road,” he said. “Barely made it out of there.”
Garrett turned to the other officer. “Hey, Renee? You direct for a while. I’m going to get these two something warm to drink.”
Ellie’s heart sank further as she heard the tone the man used to talk to the woman. Clearly, he was in charge—or at least he assumed he was. This situation was going to get worse if she didn’t act fast.
“Officer, Aidan shot at a man up on the mountain, and I’m afraid he’s going to die up there. Can you please call a search and rescue team to find him?” She said it loud enough for both officers to hear, hoping for support from the woman.
Garrett looked at Aidan, but he just lifted an eyebrow at Ellie and shook his head. His expression was baffled, as if he didn’t have the slightest clue what she was talking about.
