THE WHISPERING SNOW CAME FROM BENEATH THE FROZEN ALTAR OF A FORGOTTEN PAST

The pale winter sunlight struggled to pierce the thick canopy of evergreens as Detective Miller and two armed deputies prepared to follow the footprints down the abandoned logging trail. Elena sat firmly in the back of Thomas’s SUV, but as the officers began to move past the rusted gate, she reached for the door handle.

"Elena, absolutely not," Thomas protested, grabbing her arm before she could push the door open. "You heard the detective. That trail leads deep into the old mill district. It’s dangerous."

"The police are going to search the perimeter," Elena said, pulling her arm away with surprising force. "Julian knows these woods better than they do. If he reaches whatever is at the end of that trail before they find him, he’ll destroy the remaining evidence."

"Let the police handle it!" Thomas pleaded, his voice rising in frustration.

"No," Elena whispered, opening the door and stepping out onto the frozen ground. The cold shock hit her instantly through her thin stockings, but she didn't hesitate. She tucked the edges of her wedding gown up around her waist, tying the fabric securely with her ribbon so she could move freely.

Detective Miller turned just as Elena slammed the SUV door shut and began marching resolutely down the snow-covered path behind the deputies.

"Ms. Vance, what do you think you're doing?" the detective barked, shining his flashlight beam directly into her face. "This is an active search for a dangerous suspect. Go back to the vehicle."

"I know where he’s going," Elena said, her voice cutting through the wind with absolute authority. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the small cardstock she had retrieved from Claire's box. She handed it to the detective. "He has a secondary location. 412 Oakridge Lane."

Detective Miller took the card, his eyes narrowing as he read the faded handwriting. He looked up at Elena, studying her expression carefully. "How did you get this?"

"It was in the box with Claire's diary," Elena replied without blinking. "Julian ditched his car because he knew the police would track the main road, but he’s heading straight for that house."

The detective stared at the card for a long moment before nodding slowly to his deputies. "All right. Stay directly behind us, stay quiet, and do not move ahead of the line. Understood?"

"Understood," Elena said.