Page 4 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

I n the process of researching the festival, Olive had discovered that two other people had gone missing in this area within the past month—people not necessarily associated with Grayfall, but who’d been in the vicinity.

The first was David Brooks, a thirty-four-year-old software engineer from Richmond, Virginia, who loved hiking.

His car had been found at a trailhead parking area twelve miles from Grayfall.

David was an experienced hiker who always filed detailed trail plans with park rangers.

But he’d never checked in from his planned overnight campsite.

The second disappearance was even more unsettling.

Clara Holloway, a sixty-seven-year-old retired botanist from Virginia Tech, had been conducting research on rare mountain plants for the state environmental agency.

Her colleagues described her as methodical and safety-conscious, someone who’d spent forty years hiking these mountains without incident.

Her field notebook, found beside a creek bed three days after she was reported missing, contained her usual meticulous observations right up until the final entry.

Something wrong here. Animals too quiet. Going back to truck.

Both had vanished without a trace.

The pattern was troubling, and it suggested that whatever had happened to Chloe might be part of something larger and more dangerous than a random missing person case.

A flash of something in Olive’s rearview mirror made her pulse quicken.

When she looked more carefully, the road behind her was empty.

It was probably just shadows and paranoia.

But the men at Murphy’s Last Stop had made it clear that too many people were asking questions about Grayfall. Some people around here had to know what was going on.

Olive needed to find those people.

She and Jason were going undercover as music enthusiasts attending the festival.

They’d pose as a married couple from Ohio who were interested in the underground music scene.

For this weekend, they would be Jase and Olivia Jones—sticking close to their real first names was always helpful.

Jase was a contractor, and Olivia had developed her own line of all-natural soaps and lotions.

She’d already transformed her appearance into that of someone who fit the festival demographic: non-synthetic fabrics, braided hair, minimal makeup, and the lingering scent of patchouli oil.

The persona felt comfortable, reminiscent of the many identities she’d worn growing up when her family was constantly moving, constantly reinventing themselves for her father’s various schemes.

Olive checked behind her again, watching for anyone following.

There was still no one.

That should make her feel better. So why didn’t it? Maybe it was because this whole case was filled with mountain lore, ghost stories, and imminent danger.

Finally, a sign appeared in front of her. “Pine Ridge Lodge—2 Miles.”

Pine Ridge was a huge lodge located in the middle of the West Virginia wilderness. Years ago, it had been a hunting lodge. Today, it was mostly used for corporate retreats where people wanted to go off-grid.

The lodge was the base of operations for the weekend, the staging area where festivalgoers would gather before making the trek to Grayfall. Jason was supposed to meet her here. Tevin McIntyre, another colleague, was also coming along.

As she crested the hill, the building came into view—a massive log structure that looked like it belonged in a tourism brochure. A hand-carved sign reading “Pine Ridge Lodge” hung above the entrance, flanked by carved bears that seemed to watch approaching visitors with wooden eyes.

Olive pulled into the parking area, already noting the mix of vehicles—expensive SUVs with roof racks alongside beat-up Subarus covered in bumper stickers proclaiming various environmental causes and other music festivals.

It was exactly the kind of eclectic combination she expected at an underground music event that attracted both trust-fund hippies and genuine counterculture enthusiasts.

As soon as she climbed from the Wagoneer, she shouldered her backpack.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she thought about seeing Jason.

Keep it professional, she reminded herself. You’re here to find a missing girl, not to rehash ancient history or let some local thugs intimidate you.

But as she walked toward the lodge’s entrance, Olive knew that some conversations could only be avoided for so long.

In her experience, the most dangerous secrets were often hidden behind the most welcoming smiles. And in a place laden with mystery, everyone was a suspect until proven otherwise.

Including the man she’d once loved, who was about to walk back into her life whether Olive was ready or not.

Pine Ridge Lodge’s interior felt almost too perfect—as if someone had consulted a handbook on “How to Create the Ideal Mountain Retreat” and followed it to the letter.

Exposed timber beams stretched across vaulted ceilings, while a massive stone fireplace dominated the far wall, its hearth crackling with a fire that seemed unnecessary given the warm June weather.

Leather furniture arranged in conversational clusters invited guests to linger, and the air carried the scent of evergreen and something else—something that reminded Olive of the sanitized smell of a doctor’s office.

“Welcome to Pine Ridge Lodge!” A man emerged from behind the reception desk with the kind of smile that belonged in a toothpaste commercial. “You must be Mrs. Jones. I’m Elias Mercer, the owner.”

Olive paused and adjusted the strap of her backpack. She hadn’t given her name yet, and while it was possible Elias had seen her reservation—and her photo—something in his tone suggested he’d been expecting her specifically—that she wasn’t merely a guest checking in.

Maybe it was paranoia after the gas station incident.

But maybe it wasn’t.

She quickly observed the man.

Elias Mercer was probably in his mid-forties, and he had the kind of outdoorsy good looks that belonged on a tourism brochure.

His thick, dark hair had already grayed at the temples.

His tan suggested he’d spent just enough time in the sun without looking weathered.

His flannel shirt was pressed, and his hiking boots appeared expensive but pristine.

Everything about his appearance felt curated rather than authentic.

Olive offered a professional smile as she looked at him. “My GPS took me on a little detour on the way here.”

“Sometimes those things go a little wonky in this area,” Elias said. “You’re not the first person who’s said that.” He glanced beyond her. “Is your husband with you?”

“He’s arriving a little later. We’re looking forward to Grayfall this weekend. We understand you also have some excellent hiking trails nearby. If we have any free time, we definitely want to explore them.”

“The best in West Virginia, if I do say so myself. Though I trust you’ll stick to the marked trails. There have been some . . . unfortunate incidents with folks who venture too far off the beaten path.”

The way he said “unfortunate incidents” made it sound like he was discussing minor inconveniences rather than missing persons.

“Of course.”

“And there are bears as well as the occasional mountain lion.”

“Sounds . . . dangerous.”

“Not if people follow directions.” The threatening words sounded less dangerous with his pleasant tone and smile.

But Olive stored the warning away in the back of her mind. Until she knew what kind of people she was dealing with, she needed to tread carefully.

She glanced around the main room. “It looks like you have quite a few guests going to the music festival.”

Elias followed her gaze. “I’ve been amazed by the turnout. We’re fortunate to have such dedicated music enthusiasts who are willing to travel to this area for the festival.”

“Speaking of this area . . . I’d love to hear more about its history,” she said. “I understand the music festival is being held in an old mining town. Is that correct?”

Elias’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “Grayfall. Yes, it’s . . . historically significant. You’ll get to see the place firsthand for yourself tomorrow. I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises.”

She wasn’t so sure she wanted to be surprised.

“Now, let me show you to your room,” Elias continued. “I’m sure you want to get settled so you can get some rest before the music festival.”

Yes, she did need to get some rest.

Olive needed to be sharp if she didn’t want to end up as another unexplained disappearance that would haunt these mountains forever.