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B odhi got his chance to talk to Lucas when they finally reached the spot on the trail where he’d spotted Rory’s bike. Sadie called for the search party to take a five-minute break before they headed to the cave. They dropped their packs and scattered across the clearing to stretch, make phone calls, and drink some water.

Bodhi made a series of neck circles and stretched his arms overhead before pulling out his canteen. He drifted toward Tripp and Lucas, who were standing a bit apart from the others.

“—didn’t expect her to be so dramatic,” Tripp was saying. “Business is business.”

“She overreacted,” Lucas agreed. “She always did had a flair for theatrics. It’s not like she’s never shown a little skin?—”

A clatter drowned out the rest of the sentence. Evan had dropped his metal water bottle, and it bounced off a rock. The two men turned toward the sound and Bodhi used it as an excuse to nod a hello.

Lucas nodded back.

“I gotta drain the snake,” Tripp announced loudly before he walked a few feet away and plunged into the trees not far from where the red trail bicycle still sat.

Once Tripp was out of sight, Bodhi edged closer to Lucas, who was rifling through his backpack. He held up an assortment of bars for Bodhi’s inspection.

“Which one of these is the least disgusting? You look like you know your way around trail bars.”

He leaned in. “The date bar is pretty good. It’ll make you thirsty, though.”

“Thanks.” Lucas ripped the package open and bit off the corner of the dense bar.

“Now, I have question for you.”

Lucas chewed and swallowed before responding. “Yes?”

“You said you and your friend are fans of Aurora Westin’s work, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Aren’t you a photographer, as well? A fashion photographer?”

“Yes. You’ve heard of me?”

Bodhi let him have his moment of pride then he said, “You worked with her when she was a model, right? Didn’t the two of you date?”

Lucas stopped chewing but worked his jaw. Finally, he blew out a breath. “Fine, yes, I know her—knew her. I haven’t spoken to her in years.”

“But your friend owns the gallery that canceled her show.”

He grunted a response that Bodhi took as confirmation.

“Why are you and Mr. Davidson really here?”

Before he could respond, Tripp returned, zipping his fly. Sensing the tension, he said, “What’s going on?”

“They know,” Lucas told him sourly.

Tripp glanced between his friend and Bodhi. “Know what?”

“Did you honestly think nobody would figure out your connection to Rory?”

Tripp snorted, unimpressed. “Fine. Yes, I own the gallery that was going to show Rory’s work. And yes, Lucas used to date her. Ancient history. You’ve got us. We’re not random fans. Well done, Dr. King. Or should I call you Dr. Watson?”

He refused to take the bait. “Bodhi’s fine. You were in Clarksville last night. Before she unveiled her guerrilla exhibition. Why were you coming to see her? ”

“We came to talk sense into her,” Lucas explained.

Tripp scoffed. “Burning a bridge with an established gallery like mine is a mistake that won’t go over well in the arts community. As for her little DIY installation, that’s nothing more than a childish stunt to get attention.”

“Unlike gratuitous nude self-portraits?” He couldn’t resist asking the question.

Tripp had the self-awareness to look marginally embarrassed, but he shrugged. “It was a business suggestion. Sex sells. Always has, always will.”

“And when she refused?”

“I canceled the show. My gallery, my rules.”

“Her reaction was completely outsized,” Lucas interjected. “She could have simply said no and negotiated. Instead, she hung her photos from her ceiling and posted them online with some manifesto about displacement.”

Bodhi eyed them dispassionately. “That still doesn’t explain why you joined the search for her. She already announced that the show was canceled and unveiled her photographs. It’s too late to stop her now.”

The two men exchanged glances.

“We’re here,” Tripp said slowly, “because her little stunt is working. Social media’s blowing up with her guerrilla exhibit. Art blogs are covering it. My phone’s been ringing off the hook with collectors asking about her work.”

“We need her,” Lucas said. “She’s a hot commodity now—nude or clothed.”

Bodhi didn’t try to hide his surprise at the frank admission. “That’s blunt.”

Tripp spread his hands. “It’s just business. Of course, we’re trying to capitalize on her talent.”

“Even while she’s alone in the woods, possibly seriously injured?”

“That’s why we joined the search,” Lucas said, as if it were obvious. “We need to find her before something happens to her.”

“Or to make sure she’s not ever found. I imagine that would increase her market value even more, wouldn’t it?”

Tripp’s smile thinned into a line. “The idea never crossed my mind.”

“And for the record, your accusation is offensive,” Lucas added, a warning in his tone.

Bodhi held his gaze steadily. Lucas stepped closer.

From the other side of the clearing, Sadie cupped her hands around her mouth and called, “Break’s over. Gather ‘round.”

Lucas broke eye contact first and followed Tripp past Bodhi, making sure to knock into him with a shoulder as he passed.