Avalanche (A Stone Mountain Mystery Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

all resources on the search for Roy. She pivoted and banged into Turner’s chest as he entered his office.
    “What are you doing back here?” Turner asked.
    “There’s been an avalanche.”
    “I’m aware.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Turner closed his office door, letting the latch click gently into place. “Considering what’s going on, I thought you had enough to worry about.”
    “Are you crazy? You had no right to hide this from me just so I’d focus on the theft and not Roy.”
    “Since Roy’s your brother, I’ll ignore your outburst.”
    Another mistake. She should have gone to mountain operations. Why was she wasting time with her boss? “Sorry. You’re right. I’m going to mountain ops to see if I can help.”
    Turner sat at the round table centered on the plush navy carpet, stared at Kalin for a moment, then pointed to his guest chair. “Before you go, call Fred. I need someone from security in here now.”
    She overcame the physical pain of sitting, of not doing something for Roy, and lowered herself into the chair. Fred was the security manager and reported to her. “He’s on vacation until Friday.”
    “You let him go on our busiest week?”
    Kalin’s legs bounced, and she pressed her palms on her kneecaps to control the motion. “His brother’s getting married in Hawaii. The rest of the team is here.”
    “But no one senior?”
    Who cared? Kalin should be at mountain ops, not sitting here discussing vacation plans. Instead of bolting for the door, she forced herself to ask, “Why do you need Fred?”
    “To liaise with the RCMP. Without him here, you’ll have to. Have you called them yet?”
    “No, I…” She should do as Turner asked, but she couldn’t focus. The view of the Purcell Mountains’ cragged peaks normally dominated the room with its beauty. Today, all Kalin could imagine was Roy buried beneath the snow. She hoped for a large air pocket. Anything to keep him alive long enough to be found. “Couldn’t you take care of it until I check in with search and rescue?”
    By the scowl on Turner’s face, she guessed he wasn’t pleased with her question. She understood the extreme pressure he was under with both the avalanche and theft happening at the same time. But she was, too. He’d have RCMP, media, and staff to deal with, along with the demands of head office. To do her job well she needed to help him with the theft investigation. “Okay, I’ll make sure Helen and Jessica are set, and then I’ll head to mountain ops.”
    “I want you back by the time the RCMP get here. I need you to work with them on the investigation. Make sure there are no media leaks. And check if you can get Fred to come back early.”
    She nodded and bolted for the door.
    “And Kalin, don’t talk to the RCMP without me.”

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    Kalin needed a moment and stopped in the administration hallway. She leaned into the wall, pressing her cheek against chipped paint. Get under control.
    “What are you doing?” Tessa Weber asked. “Standing side-pushups?”
    Her recruiting specialist was trying to be funny, so Kalin held back the snap in her voice. “I need you to clear my calendar today and take care of anything urgent.”
    “You want me to what?”
    The cochlear implant for Tessa’s right ear helped her out with hearing, but she still had trouble when someone spoke too fast. She’d had the implant for less than a year, and was still figuring out how to hear things properly. Like a child, she’d had to learn what sounds were. Even something as common as a footstep or a raindrop was new to her.
    In Kalin’s agitated state, she’d forgotten to slow her speech a bit. “Can you clear my schedule and take care of anything urgent today?”
    “Sure. What’s going on?”
    “I don’t have time to explain. Just help me out, okay?”
    In a gesture familiar to Kalin, Tessa pulled her hair over her implant. “Okay. Where do I find your schedule?”
    “Monica has access to it.