Page 48 of Obscurity

“We need to find out who’s staying there,” Jason said.

“I say we take a closer look.”

Remaining low, they hurried toward the house. When they got close enough, they ducked behind some bushes, hoping to take in more details.

As they watched, a familiar figure appeared in one of the illuminated windows.

Brad Kellerman.

He gestured as he spoke to someone out of view, holding what appeared to be a glass of wine.

Olive’s stomach tightened with disgust. While festival attendees were sleeping in threadbare tents with no running water, eating granola bars, wrestling with mosquitoes and flies, and dealing with nonexistent cell service, Brad was living like a king in what looked like a million-dollar vacation home.

“All that money people paid for tickets . . .” Anger tinged her voice. “And this is where it went.”

“Not into the festival, that’s for sure.” Jason’s voice hardened.

They watched another minute as more figures moved through the house—people who clearly weren’t festival attendees, judging by their expensive clothing and casual demeanor.

Could Chloe be inside? Had the local police even searched the house? Had they talked to Brad?

That house was where the real party was happening, while everyone else suffered through the nightmare Brad had created.

“We need to get back.” Reluctance filled Jason’s voice. “Before anyone notices we’re gone.”

Olive took one last look at the mansion. Whatever was happening at this festival, Brad was profiting handsomely from it.

But her gut told her there was more to this story than just one man wanting to get rich.

What she wasn’t sure about was what.

As Olive walked back to their tent, she checked her phone one more time, hoping against hope for even a single bar of service.

Her phone showed full bars, but every attempt to send a message or make a call failed immediately.

“Still nothing,” she whispered to Jason, slowing her steps. “I need to talk to Tevin, but there’s no way to contact him. I’m not sure what tent he’s in.”

“Maybe we can find him somehow.” Jason paused by their tent. As he examined the entrance flap, he frowned. “Olive.”

Her back instantly went straight. “What is it?”

“Someone’s been in here.” He pointed to the zipper.

It was partially open. She was certain they’d closed it completely.

Jason’s muscles stiffened as he turned toward her. “And whoever it was, I think they might still be inside.”

Olive’s hand moved instinctively toward the small knife hidden in her pocket.

The stakes were too high for them to be naive.

Whoever was inside their tent could be dangerous. Someone could be onto them and waiting to strike.

Jason nodded, signaling he was going to open the flap.

They both crouched as if it might contain a wild animal. Every sense was on high alert as they braced themselves for danger.

CHAPTER 29