Former physician disappeared on Mount Rainier, four years on the revelation stunned everybody

Charlotte stumbled over a thick root, catching herself against a moss-covered tree. The bark was rough under her palms, real and solid in a way that made this nightmare feel impossibly concrete. How many times had Robert touched these same trees, walked these same paths? They’d gone maybe 50 yards into the woods when the first siren wailed in the distance.

Harrison froze, his head whipping around like a startled deer. No, he muttered, no, no, no. More sirens joined the first, growing louder, closer.

Charlotte felt a surge of hope that died quickly when Harrison’s hand clamped around her arm. You called them. His voice was flat disbelieving.

At the coffee shop, you called the police. The sirens were screaming now, multiple vehicles from the sound of it. Through the trees, Charlotte could see flashes of red and blue lights.

Damn it, Harrison yanked her roughly against him, spinning her around to face the direction they’d come. His arm went around her neck, the gun pressing against her temple. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

The sounds of car doors slamming echoed through the forest, voices shouting commands, the rustle of movement through undergrowth. They were surrounding the area. Dr. Harrison, a familiar voice boomed through a megaphone.

Detective Morrison from that morning. This is the police. We have the area surrounded.

Let Mrs. Henley go and come out with your hands visible. Harrison backed up against a large Douglas fir, using its trunk as cover while keeping Charlotte firmly in front of him. She could feel him trembling against her back, his arm tightening around her throat.

Back off, he shouted. Everyone back off or I’ll kill her. I swear I’ll do it.

Dr. Harrison, no one needs to get hurt here. Detective Morrison’s amplified voice carried clearly through the trees. Let’s talk about this….