Chapter 379

Evangeline was gone.

“The most important thing right now is to find her,” Soren said, his voice strained. “Even if she’s… she deserves to be brought back with dignity p>

Glenn’s fists clenched at his sides. He knew exactly what Soren meant. If Evangeline was alive, every passing moment made her situation more perilous. And if she was dead… after this rain, her body would be… It wouldn’t be a pretty sight.

Soren held out his hand. “Give me a climbing rope and a locator. I have some experience with rock climbing.” Seeing the suspicion in Glenn’s eyes, he added, “Whether I have feelings for her or not, this whole mess started because of me, and Poppy is involved. More than anyone here, I need her to be found alive p>

If Evangeline was dead, the Fawkes family might be able to smooth things over, but it would still create a world of trouble for him and Poppy.

Glenn’s fingers tightened.

Emotionally, he wanted Soren to disappear and never return. Rationally, he knew that one more person meant one more sliver of hope. Every minute saved increased Evangeline’s chances of survival.

He turned, retrieved a set of professional gear from a nearby tent, and handed it to Soren.

As he did, Glenn’s voice was a low warning. “Don’t think for a second this changes anything with Poppy. Sooner or later, I’ll settle the score for what she did to Evangeline p>

Soren took the gear and met his gaze. “Nothing is settled yet,” he said coolly. “But if what you say is true, I’ll be the one to make her pay p>

Soren joined one of the small teams, and they began their descent, slowly rappelling down the cliff face in the light rain.

Just before the last professional climber in Soren’s group went over the edge, Glenn pulled him aside. He nodded toward Soren and said quietly, “Bring him back safely p>

Soren might have some experience,

but he was still an amateur. No matter how he felt, Glenn believed Soren had a responsibility to be here, searching. But that didn’t mean he wanted him dead.

The man nodded in understanding.

An hour later, however, the drizzle had turned into a downpour. When the team returned, they brought back shocking news.

Soren was missing.

Under the flash of lightning, the team members stood drenched and exhausted, their voices a mixture of frustration and alarm.

“Mr. Carlisle, the rain got too heavy, and we lost all visibility. We told Mr. Fawkes we had to head back, but he refused to listen p>

“He unclipped his rope! He kept

insisting Miss Whitmore was in a certain direction, but that area is too steep. We’ve never been down that far before checked there’s no satellite signal there p>

no

“We tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t budge p>

“The storm was getting too intense. We had no choice but to retreat p>

“We’re sorry, Mr. Carlisle. We couldn’t follow him. It was just too dangerous p>

Glenn closed his eyes, listening to their frantic explanations. Of course. It would have been more surprising if soren had actually listened to them. He shouldn’t have

underestimated his stubbornness.

“Go get some rest,” Glenn said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Leave the ropes. I’ll wait for him here p>

Soren knew his own importance; he wouldn’t deliberately get himself killed. He must have seen something, some genuine clue, to take such a risk. He’d find a way back soon enough.