Chapter 5
Kori wasn’t sure which option was more unsettling.
She was already uneasy about the hidden laptop and the fact someone had been on the fire escape. She’d considered calling the police about it. Or should she call the park rangers?
She wasn’t sure. Probably the police, though she already had a connection with Wyatt.
She hadn’t done either. Not yet.
As an attorney, she knew everything she had was circumstantial—no sign of forced entry, no clear crime, just a growing sense that something wasn’t right.
Not enough to hand over and expect immediate action.
And if the laptop mattered, she didn’t want it getting lost in a system before she even understood what she was looking at.
But she had taken the laptop with her.
Something had told her not to leave it behind.
“I’ll let you get settled.” Maggie offered a warm smile. “Just let me know if you need anything.”
Kori thanked her and watched as the woman closed the door, leaving her in silence.
Maggie was younger than Kori had envisioned after hearing Wyatt talk about tea parties and crocheting. She’d expected someone with gray hair. But Maggie appeared to be in her mid-thirties, and she seemed friendly, with her oversized sweater, curly blonde hair, and quick smile.
Kori glanced around. Her room overlooked Main Street, with its brick storefronts and cozy white lights strung between lampposts. Snow still fell in soft, hesitant flurries.
Under different circumstances, the town was charming.
But Kori had too much history here and too much on her mind to enjoy it.
An unwelcome memory hit her.
She’d been to Blue Ridge Hollow on multiple occasions before, though circumstances back then had been different.
The last time she’d left, she’d vowed to never come back. But with her sister missing, Kori had forgotten that resolve. She’d had no choice but to put all those hard feelings behind her.
Blood was more important than pride.
Drawing in a shaky breath, Kori glanced around the room again. If she was going to search for her sister, she’d need some proper attire.
That meant that staying in for the night wasn’t an option. She had too much to do, too much to get ready for.
Besides, she’d never been the type to sit around and do nothing.
She picked up her coat and walked back into the living room.
Maggie looked up from her chair near the fire where she crocheted a pink blanket. “Everything all right?”
“The room is perfect.” Kori slipped her arms into her coat. “I need to grab a few things in town, however. I didn’t pack for this weather. Is there an outfitter nearby?”
“Blue Ridge Outfitters. Two blocks east. They close at eight, so you still have a little time.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
Kori would buy some clothes. She’d be prepared.
And nothing would stand in her way of finding her sister.
Back at Hollow House after her quick shopping excursion, Kori changed into some jeans and a sweatshirt she’d purchased—as well as new boots.
She stood in front of the narrow mirror behind the door of the private bathroom attached to her room.
Her blazer and shirt were folded neatly on the chair—evidence of another version of herself that belonged to courtrooms and high-stake clients. The woman staring back at her looked less polished . . . but not quite authentic.
She didn’t look like someone who belonged on a mountain trail in winter. Her nails were too manicured. Her hands too soft. Her skin too untouched by cold air and nature.
However, at one point in her life she hadn’t looked like someone who could stand up in her first courtroom either.
She’d had five years of practice. Uncountable jury trials. A reputation for not backing down when opposing counsel tried to bulldoze her.
She’d rightfully earned the nickname The Hammer after she’d put away a man named Bartholomew Beekman. Though she’d felt sympathy for the man at first, she’d quickly sensed he had a darker side.
He’d lost his land to eminent domain, which destroyed his business. He fought back through increasingly aggressive means—including going after the people with the county who took his land. That was when he picked up federal charges.
Each step had felt justified to him, and each consequence had deepened the wound.
She hadn’t shown much mercy, thus earning her the nickname.
But the forest didn’t care about courtroom victories or nicknames. The wilderness was unforgiving to those unfamiliar with it.
Was Mackenzie one of those people?
Kori didn’t know. The only way to find out—other than finding her sister—was to talk to Mackenzie’s friends. But Flo was the only one she knew about.
Flint’s image drifted into her mind.
Was Mackenzie still in contact with him? Talking to Flint was the last thing Kori wanted—but she might not have another choice.
Her gaze shifted to the window.
The snow outside had thickened and was beginning to blur the storefronts across the street.
Kori checked the time: 7:26 p.m.
She could drive to the trailhead. Look at it. See if Mackenzie’s car was there.
She could even start down the trail to see what it was like . . .
The thought tempted her for a full five seconds. Then she shook her head and let it go.
Walking into the woods in the dark ahead of a blizzard would be reckless.
And Kori was many things, but she wasn’t reckless.
As she stood there figuring out her next plan of action, Wyatt King slipped into her thoughts.
In court, she read people for a living. She watched them fracture. Watched them reveal themselves.
Very few people ever watched her with that same steady attention.
Wyatt had, and she didn’t know what to do with that. The thought threw her off-balance.
She didn’t like being off-balance.
But she’d do whatever it took to find Mackenzie—even if it meant standing beside a man who could see straight through her carefully controlled exterior.
That vulnerability felt dangerous . . . but she had no other choice right now.