Page 102 of Nothing But Air

Sierra’s hand shook as she reached toward Liam, then pulled back. “I’ve never dealt with a head injury this serious. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You did everything right.” Teague’s voice softened. “Kept him still, monitored his breathing, got help. That’s all anyone could do.”

“But if the radio had worked—” Sierra’s voice cracked. “We should have been able to call base camp hours ago. I don’t understand why we could only reach you.”

Eden’s mind snagged on that.

The radios.

They should have reached base camp from anywhere in the canyon. Equipment they’d used successfully for years. Yesterday she’d chalked it up to atmospheric conditions.

What if it was more than that?

“I want to look at your radio.” Eden moved toward the fire ring. “Where is it?”

“By the fire. But it’s dead—I kept trying until I killed the batteries.”

“Our batteries are dead now too.”

Sierra followed her. “I checked the antenna, everything I could think of.”

Kyle stood near the flames, firelight casting strange shadows across his face. Relief crossed his features when he saw Eden. “How is he?”

“Confused but conscious.” Eden moved past him toward the equipment pile. “How’s Trey holding up?”

“Better now that help’s here.” Kyle stepped back to give her space, but something in his posture was off. Too casual. Too careful. “I tried everything with that radio earlier. Couldn’t figure out what was wrong.”

“Kyle, could you check on Trey?” Sierra’s voice was gentle. “Make sure he’s comfortable?”

“Right. Of course.”

Kyle moved toward Trey, glancing back once before disappearing from view. That glance—quick, assessing—sent a chill down Eden’s spine that had nothing to do with the night air.

What was wrong with her? This was Kyle. Landon’s best friend. She’d known him for years. She’d let Teague’s suspicions get to her.

Eden used her multi-tool to remove the radio’s back panel, grateful for something to focus on besides the anger simmering beneath her skin. “The range on these is excellent. We shouldn’t have issues reaching base camp.”

“Maybe it’s the canyon walls?” Marcus’s voice came from near Liam. “Blocking the signal?”

“We’ve used these radios in this canyon for years.” Teague appeared beside Eden. But his eyes kept flicking toward where Kyle had disappeared.

Eden studied the interior, her headlamp illuminating the maze of wires and components. At first glance, everything looked normal. Standard configuration. Nothing obviously damaged.

Then she saw it.

A small component wedged between two connection points.

Something that shouldn’t be there.

Her breath caught. Ice spread through her veins.

“What is it?” Teague’s voice was sharp. Low.

Eden’s eyes flicked to Marcus across the fire. Then to where Kyle sat by Trey—close enough to hear if she spoke above a whisper.

She kept her face neutral.

“Nothing. Everything looks standard. Normal wear and tear, maybe some dust in the contacts.”