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"We never saw Emma again. That was October. In April, loggers found her body near Rangeley Lake. Tonight I scattered some of her ashes in Gomagash Lake." Her voice broke.

Sam started to wrap his arms around her, to offer sympathy, but she'd misconstrue his intentions. Hell, no, she wouldn't, but he'd keep his hands off anyway. "So probing her death was what led to uncovering the other murders?"

"Yes, there was something too ritualistic about the way he left her body. I couldn't leave the story alone." She passed a hand over her eyes. "Ironic, isn't it? That perverted bastard commits his vicious crimes in the woods, and here I am smack in his playground."

"He's not here. You'll be all right. My tent's next to yours." He winked at her and slid a hand around the back of her neck. Her skin was soft, smooth. Tempting. "If you have nightmares, call me. I'll be over before you can yell twice."

That coaxed a wider smile out of her. "That would be a nightmare." She sidestepped his caress, unzipped her tent and crawled in. "Good night."

He frowned at the star-filled sky.

"...stabbed with a big hunting knife like--"

"Like mine," he whispered. Even though he'd stopped Annie's words, everyone knew what she'd been about to say. No need to give the thought power by uttering the words.

No way his knife going missing had anything to do with the Hunter. More likely losing it was an omen of his incompetence at guiding. That thought sent a sharp pang to his gut, as if by that very knife.