Tempting Evil by Allison Brennan Page B

him, Miller shot him.”
    “How is Wyatt?”
    “He was hit in the right shoulder. My dad says he’ll probably be okay if we can get him to a doctor.”
    Tyler surveyed the valley. There was no way Life Flight could get in here, the ceiling was too low. But Nash was a veterinarian. Not ideal, but the best they had under the circumstances.
    “Get Wyatt back to the lodge ASAP.”
    “We only have two snowmobiles and there are eight of us. Even with the kid on the sleigh, we can’t all go.”
    Shit. Tyler had to both get to the lodge and find Jo and Jason. And he had to get those boys safely from the homestead to the lodge. All right now.
    “This is what I want you to do. Either you or your father take Wyatt and Ben Ward to the lodge. I’ll have a doctor meet you there. The other needs to stay with the other four boys until someone can get there, okay?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Can you do that?”
    Another voice came on the radio. “Sheriff, this is Craig Mann. I heard your request. I’ll take Wyatt and the boy in. I think the others are safer here—there is plenty of food and water and the shelter is sound—until we know where the convicts are.”
    “John Miller is Aaron Doherty, one of the convicts. Which way did he take Jo?”
    “West.”
    The lodge was southeast from the homestead. Where was Miller taking her? He hadn’t had time to scout out the area. He might have a map, but it wouldn’t show residences. All the vacation homes were either north or south, accessible from the North or South Centennial Road. Nothing west that Tyler could think of.
    It was only twenty degrees. When night came, it was supposed to drop to minus twenty. They had no provisions to survive the night exposed. Most snowmobile tanks held nine gallons. They got—maybe—ten miles a gallon.
    Tyler had to find them. And the only way was to follow their trail.
    “Mann, you bring Wyatt and Ben in like you said. Sean will stay with the boys. I’ll go directly to the homestead and track Miller from there. I’ll send my deputy to the lodge with the doctor.” It would have been better to send Mann here to Lakeview, but the lodge was closer.
    “What if one of the other convicts is there?”
    “There’s only one more other than Doherty. Doug Chapman. He should be considered armed and dangerous, got it?”
    “Yes, Sheriff.”
    “How’s Wyatt?”
    “I stopped the bleeding, but he lost quite a bit. He’s conscious. The bullet is still in there. I know first aid, but this is out of my league.”
    “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
    Everyone was looking at him when he hung up the radio. He didn’t need to repeat what had happened. “Nash, can you go to the lodge?”
    “Absolutely. And if you need to bring the scouts here instead of the lodge, do it. Peter can go with you.” Peter was Nash’s son, a military veteran of thirty who didn’t say much and had been standing quietly next to his father the entire time.
    “Agreed. When we arrive at the homestead, we’ll contact the lodge and ascertain whether it’s safe to bring the boys there. Otherwise, they’ll come here.”
    He continued, “Bianchi, Billy, come with me and Peter to the homestead. Peter can lead. He knows the valley better.”
    “We’ll take the lodge,” Vigo said.
    “Be careful. We don’t know if Chapman is dead or alive.”

    Gun within easy reach, Stan walked up the slope to where the college kids were staying. He knocked briskly on the door, then stepped back.
    “Who is it?”
    “Stan Wood from the lodge.”
    “How do I know?”
    “Look through the window.”
    Stan stepped to the right. The shutters opened and Brian Bates looked out.
    The door opened a moment later. “Sorry. Jo said there might be some trouble coming this way and not to let anyone in.”
    “The Sheriff would like you and Marie to come to the lodge. He’s on his way with reinforcements.”
    “Is that necessary? Is there really a problem? I thought it was just a precaution.”
    The