Endless Night. Dana Mentink

got banking to do. I’ll meet you back at the van.”

      They disembarked into an intense cold that made her eyes tear. As Skip hopped out, he dropped his bundled papers. An envelope hit the ground, scattering its contents.

      Jackie barely restrained a gasp to see a dozen hundred-dollar bills fluttering in the slight breeze. She and Roman helped Skip retrieve the money before it could blow away.

      Skip’s face reddened. “Gotta make a payment. Cash seems like the easiest thing.” Without another word he shoved the bundle into his pocket and headed toward the grocery store.

      Jackie saw the worried frown on Roman’s face, which she knew matched the one on her own.

      She shook her head. “That’s a lot of cash.”

      “Uh-huh. Sure is.” Jackie watched Roman’s tall form as he walked away across the street. He wore only a light windbreaker, his body perfectly acclimated to the freezing temperatures. Shivering, she zipped her coat, wishing she could face the cold as bravely.

      The clerk at the bank greeted her with impersonal efficiency. She was grateful not to run into anyone she’d known two years prior. The man issued her a small safe-deposit box and with great relief she deposited the thumb drive. It might be the only proof they could find that Reynolds was bilking his clients. Had he sent the threatening message? In spite of the warm air in the bank, she shivered, casting a glance around to see if anyone was watching as she strolled back through the lobby and out the front door.

      Blinking in the sunshine, Jackie saw Roman loading a bag into the back of the van. Skip had not returned. What business would he have that would require him to carry so much cash around? Remote Alaska was very much a cash-and-carry place, but he’d behaved so oddly after the accident and in the van she didn’t think it was an ordinary debt.

      She started to make her way back to the van when someone grabbed her arm. Crying out, she whirled to find herself staring into the exuberant face of Mick Andrade.

      “Mick!” She hugged him tightly, noting the bruise on his cheekbone from the beating. “I’m so glad to see you. How did you find me? Where’s Asia?”

      Mick gave her a hearty squeeze and shook his head, speaking in a low tone. “I got in last night. Asia isn’t here—she’s coming on a later flight. She called your father in Maryland. Apparently the owner’s wife called to let him know you’d arrived safely.”