Page 87 of Small Town Sizzle

Ethan glances at me, his brow furrowed. “You think it’s a front?”

“I don’t know yet,” I say, my jaw tightening. “But something doesn’t feel right.”

“If he works for an environmental agency, we should’ve been notified, especially if he’s been out in the wetlands.”

“Why?” I ask, straightening up. “What’s the big deal?”

Ethan sighs, running a hand through his hair. “The wetlands are a delicate ecosystem, man. If anyone’s out there for any length of time, especially from an agency, there are protocols. Permits, notifications, inspections—the whole nine yards. But no one’s said a word to me about this guy, and if he’s poking around out there, it’s a problem. A legit agency would go throughthe proper channels, and there’s no way Maya or Leti allowed them out there.”

A frown tugs at my mouth. “The equipment we found is most likely theirs then? What kind of problem?”

“Well, for one, he could be screwing things up. And for another, it raises a lot of questions. What’s he doing out there? Why wasn’t the estate notified? And why Maya’s office?”

I glance back toward the building, my gut tightening. “I can do some more digging.”

Ethan nods, his face grim. “We need to keep an eye on this. If they’re messing around out there, it could cause serious damage.”

“Agreed,” I say, standing up. “I’ll keep digging.”

Ethan nods again, and I head back to the office, my mind racing. The rest of the day passes in a blur as I juggle work and research, trying to piece together the puzzle of Northridge and this TJ guy.

When evening rolls around, I head to the meeting I’d been waiting for all day. The man who contacted me about Plum Lane was supposed to be here, but when I arrive, the diner is empty.

I wait for a few minutes, checking my watch and glancing at the door. Then my phone buzzes with a text.

“Something came up. I can’t make it. Being followed. Will contact you to set another time.”

Couldn’t have told me that before I got here?

My stomach drops, and I grip my phone tighter.

Being followed? What the hell does that mean?

I step out of the building, scanning the parking lot and the shadows beyond. There’s no sign of anyone, but the unease that’s been gnawing at me all day sharpens into something closer to fear.

Who is this guy? And what does he know that’s put him in danger?

I grab something to eat at the diner, then make the drive back to Hicks Creek. As I drive, I pick up my phone and call Maya. She answers on the third ring.

“Hey, you,” she says softly.

“Hey, beautiful. How are you?”

“Glad my day is almost over,” she chuckles dryly.

“Almost over? Maya, it’s almost eight at night.”

“I had a call to run over.”

“What about the kids? Are they okay? Do I need to…?”

“The kids are fine,” she laughs. “Alex is at home with Jaz. I’m on my way, too. Mom took them some dinner, as well.”

“You could call me in the future.”

“Garrett,” she sighs.

“I get that’s weird, maybe because of our situation right now, but…it’s no different than Ethan and Laura doing it for you. If it helps, I will bring Chantelle with me.”