The tree line stopped where the rock started. Thorn’s Peak towered boldly to the left of the wall, its rugged landscape somehow both terrifying and beautiful. It pierced the sky before angling out at a forty-degree angle. Completely free of trees, it flowed into Killer Pass in smooth, silky lines. A humpback-shaped ridge dotted with pines and conifers hunkered down next to the pass.
He scanned the area for possible escape routes. There weren’t any obvious options. Kenny and Barlow had chosen well. This would be another accident with little to no evidence, and given their access to law enforcement resources, they could write the report the way they wanted.
The snowmobile thundered closer, exhaust strong in his nostrils. His muscles locked when he saw Barlow next to Meredith, his Glock trained on her.
When they shuddered to a stop, he swung off, loosening up his body. He had to be ready to make his move.
Meredith took a step, sinking into the snow, her pale face clenched. “You shouldn’t have come!”
He tore off his glasses so she could see his eyes. He had to tell her. “Everything I told you was a lie. I—”
Kenny punched him in the kidney. He sunk to his knees.
“Shut the hell up.”
“Stop it!” Meredith screamed.
Her fear cut through him like razor blades. “It’s okay. I’m all right.” He rose to his feet. He’d be pissing blood if they somehow survived. He turned to Barlow. “Well, what a surprise.”
“No?” Barlow sneered. “I knew you’d come.”
“You had Meredith. There was no other choice.” His gaze slipped to hers briefly. She shook her head back and forth in horror.
“We figured that would cinch it. You’ve been a busy boy, working this case like you’re in fucking Iraq or something.”
Since Meredith was here, he decided to give them an out. “My sister has a report on the drugs you gave Jemma. Ray was right. You did lace them.”
Barlow walked forward, snow crunching. “You may have the drugs, but the dealer’s dead. Such an unfortunate accident. Besides, poor Jemma had a bad heart, just like Gene said. We couldn’t believe our luck when he left her marijuana use out of the report. Thank God for small towns.”
“You fucking bastards,” Tanner growled.
Barlow’s smile turned up at the corners. “Ah, you’re going to hurt my feelings. Like I said, if that dumb girl hadn’t died, we wouldn’t be here.”
“She was just a kid,” Meredith cried.
“Shut up!” Kenny said, drawing his gun.
Tanner forced himself not to move. “Meredith.”
She turned to look at him. He met her gaze and felt the connection all the way to his toes. Her throat moved before she nodded once.
Time to gamble. He chose his words carefully. “Peg knows about both of you. This morning, I sent her the Swiss army knife one of you dropped under my car. I’m betting they’ll be able to find a partial print.”
“Bullshit!” Kenny tucked his gun in his belt and charged Tanner. They fell to the ground, and he rained hits and kicks on Tanner, who pounded back with clenched fists.
“That’s enough!” Barlow yelled. “Kenny, fucking pull yourself together. Didn’t you wear gloves last night?”
Tanner didn’t give him time to think past the adrenaline. “Look, Peg’s police force is working this case with us. We gave them paint shavings from Kenny’s truck after breaking into your garage. Arthur Hale called in the Attorney General this morning. It’s over.”
“I knew I should have killed that bitch,” Barlow said, his mouth twisting into a sneer.
Tanner’s rage skyrocketed, but he managed to control it. “Don’t add double murder to your list. Leave. You’ll have a head start on the authorities.”
The veins in Kenny’s already bruising face throbbed like worms. “Fuck that! We’re not backing down.” His yell echoed against the Great Wall, raising the hairs on Tanner’s neck.
“Tanner!” Meredith cried out, biting her lip. “They have Jill.”
His heart rate doubled. He reached deep, studied a smirking Barlow, and went with his gut. “No, he doesn’t.”
Wagging his gun, Barlow said, “You’re only making me want to shoot you more, McBride. And that would leave evidence.”
Tanner’s breath stopped. So this was it. It was never like you imagined. Well, he wouldn’t go down easy. He stepped forward.
A shot ripped out, and snow and ice exploded like confetti near Tanner’s feet. He came to a stop, his heart pounding, every muscle in his body strained.
“Step back.” Barlow walked backward toward the snowmobile, his gun trained on Tanner. “We set charges on Thorn’s Peak this morning. In fifteen minutes, that mountain is going to blow.”