As we walk, Anders isn’t the only one glancing at Dalton. Sebastian checks, too, and while his face never gives anything away, I know he’s concerned. Worrying that he’s made this situation worse. When we near Rockton, he asks if he can speak to Dalton while they get the dirt bike, and we let them go. Storm glances at me. She senses Dalton’s mood, and she’s asking permission to stay with him. I grant it with a wave, and she jogs after them, her huge paws pounding the ground.
Once they’re far enough away, I tell Anders about the bears. Shock turns to outrage. Demanding a hostage to secure our help was heinous enough. Add the fact that we rescued them first, and it’s the worst kind of betrayal, backing Dalton into a corner where he can only do what feels like surrender.
Speaking of betrayals …
I spot Petra heading back from her shift at the general store. A few hours ago, I’d been making my way to Rockton, hell-bent on confronting her with my suspicions. Now, seeing her, there’s a moment of “Hey, didn’t I want to talk to Petra about something?” before it all crashes back.
I take one step in her direction before checking myself.
“Everything okay?” Anders murmurs as I stop short.
No, everything is miles from okay. This particular problem, though, must wait. Spring days may be long, but they are not endless, and it’s past six already. We need to find Felicity’s trail, and I cannot get distracted by confronting Petra. Also, I cannot confront Petra and then walk away, leaving her with the chance to tell Émilie what we know and let Émilie—possibly both of them—fly beyond my reach before I can return.
Would they flee? That’s the question. Whatever they’ve done, the council will undoubtedly back them. Yet the council isn’t here. In their shoes, as much as I’d like to stand my ground, I’d know that the smart thing to do would be to get out of Rockton. Fast.
“Throwing Émilie in jail for the night would be a bad move, wouldn’t it?” I murmur. “Politically, I mean.”
Anders glances over. “Uh … not even sure I want to touch that one.”
“Have you seen her?”
“Not since she left the station earlier.” He glances at me and lowers his voice. “If you want her locked up, we’ll do that, but you might want to talk to Phil first. See how bad a move it would be. I can’t believe I’m suggesting consulting him but…”
Anders is right, of course. We’d need to ask Dalton, too, but he’ll agree without a second thought. If I think a suspect is a flight risk? In the cell they go, no matter who they are. It’s Phil whose opinion I’d need. I won’t ask, though, because even I know it would be a very bad idea. I’m only voicing a wish while letting Anders know we need to keep an eye on her.
I’m saying that, as quietly as possible, when Petra spots me. I tense, and Anders murmurs, “You want me to head her off?”
Will I be able to resist confronting her? Yes, with effort. Can I hide the fact that I want to confront her, that something is wrong? Probably not, and if I don’t, then I tip my hand, and we might very well come back to find Émilie and Petra gone.
I should tell Anders yes. Run interference, please, and distract her while I escape. Yet even that could be a tip-off, however deftly handled. And there is another way. A way to divert her and make sure that, even if Émilie bolts, she won’t take Petra with her.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hey, yourself. Everything okay?” Her gaze trips over my clothing, and her lips twitch in a grin. ?
?Looks like you and Eric took the opportunity for a little couple time in the woods.”
I glance down to see just how dirty and rumpled my clothing is.
“Bear,” I say.
She stops short, grin freezing. “What?”
I shrug. “I was tripped by a young grizzly. Landed flat on my back. It’s okay, though. Momma Bear considered devouring me and decided against it.”
“I … I think you must be joking but … you’re not, right?”
“Nope. It’s been a very long day. And now I could really use your help finding Edwin and Felicity.”
Another blink, as if she’s still not hearing right. “The old man and the kid? They were here, right?” She pauses. “Does this have something to do with the bears?”
“I really hope not. The more likely suspect is hostiles. Or a search party looking for the missing hikers. Or, possibly, whoever killed the settlers and the tourists, if it wasn’t the hostiles.”
“I…” She looks at Anders. “This all makes sense to you, does it?”
“Sadly, yes,” he says.
“So,” I continue, “what I really need is you, Petra. I’d like you to help us find Edwin and Felicity. I know you aren’t a tracker, but if they’ve been taken hostage, I might need your particular skill set.”