Page 37 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

O live and Jason made their way to Connor’s tent through different routes, using the storm damage as cover for their wandering.

Olive pretended to search for salvageable belongings from destroyed campsites, while Jason appeared to be helping other festivalgoers assess their damaged gear.

Connor’s tent was larger and more professional than most of the others—clearly designed for someone who needed to store expensive equipment.

When they slipped inside one by one, they found him hunched over a laptop with several external hard drives connected, his face illuminated by the blue glow of the screen.

Olive wasn’t sure how much longer those electronics would last without being charged, but she hoped it was long enough to find some evidence.

“Any trouble getting here?” Connor barely looked up from his work as he asked the question.

“All clear.” Jason settled onto one of the equipment cases Connor had arranged as makeshift seating.

“Good. I’ve been going through the footage since I got back to my tent, and . . .” Connor’s expression was troubled as he turned the laptop toward them. “There’s definitely something here you need to see.”

The screen showed behind-the-scenes footage from the promotional shoot, time-stamped three weeks earlier. The video quality was professional, capturing details that the official promotional material had carefully edited out.

“This is from the second day of filming.” Connor clicked to a specific timestamp. “Watch Chloe’s face during this conversation.”

On screen, Chloe appeared vibrant and enthusiastic. But as the footage continued, Olive saw the subtle changes in her demeanor. Her bright smile became more forced, her body language grew tense, and she kept glancing nervously toward people off-camera.

“Now here’s where it gets interesting.” Connor advanced to another section. “This is Brad talking to some of his financial backers. They thought the cameras were off.”

The audio was partially muffled, but they could hear fragments of conversation. “Kingston’s daughter . . . family connections . . . liquidate assets if necessary.”

Olive’s blood ran cold. “That makes me wonder if someone was specifically targeting Chloe because of her father’s wealth and connections.”

“It gets worse,” Connor said. “Watch this part.”

The footage showed Chloe being introduced to several men in expensive suits—people who definitely weren’t part of the festival crew. One of them made a comment that wasn’t picked up clearly by the microphone, but Chloe’s reaction was immediate and visceral.

Her face went pale, and she took several steps backward.

“What did he say to her?” Jason asked.

“I’ve been trying to enhance the audio, but I can’t quite make it out. Something about her father’s business dealings and how ‘cooperation’ would be in everyone’s best interests.” Connor’s fingers clenched into fists. “After that conversation, Chloe left.”

“And now she’s missing,” Olive murmured, more pieces falling into place.

Connor was about to respond when shouting erupted from outside the tent.

All three of them froze, listening as multiple voices carried across the campsite.

“Welcome to Grayfall Festival!” came Brad’s familiar voice, though it sounded more strained than usual.

“What is this?” someone yelled. “This isn’t what you advertised!”

“I know the accommodations aren’t quite what you expected?—”

“Accommodations? These are ruins! And why is everything flooded?”

Connor carefully lifted the edge of his tent flap, peering out toward the commotion. “New arrivals . . . or should I say, potential victims.”