Page 41 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

O live, Jason, and Tristan exited the tent one by one.

Once out, they all gravitated toward the crowd near the stage where a band was setting up. Tristan gave them a look before branching away from them.

When Olive and Jason were alone, she leaned closer to him and whispered, “We need to get into that house where Brad is staying. If Chloe’s being held anywhere or if there’s evidence about what really happened to her, it could be inside.”

“I agree, but it’s too risky during the day,” Jason argued. “That place is probably crawling with security, and if they catch us?—”

“The house is our best shot at finding real evidence.” Olive’s mind raced through possibilities. “This might be our best opportunity. I can go. Alone. It will be too obvious if both of us are gone.”

A shadow of disapproval passed over his gaze. “Olive, if something goes wrong, I have no way to contact you. No way to help if?—”

Before Jason could finish his thought, a commotion erupted near the stage.

The same weathered mountain man who’d warned them on the trail had somehow appeared in the center of the festival grounds, his presence causing festivalgoers to scatter in surprise and confusion.

“Y’all still here?” The Grayfall Guardian’s voice carried across the valley with surprising authority as he climbed onto the stage platform. “Still playin’ along with this here charade?”

“Sir, you need to leave immediately,” one of the guards called out.

The old man ignored him. “Told y’all yesterday there’s things in these hills that don’t belong. Things that take what they want and leave nothin’ but questions behind.”

His gaze swept across the assembled crowd with the intensity of someone delivering a prophecy. Olive held her breath as she waited to hear what he had to say.

“But you didn’t listen,” he continued. “None of y’all ever listen. And now you’re gonna pay!”

Olive’s lungs tightened at his ominous words.

Even worse—she feared the man might be right.

Brad appeared from somewhere in the crowd, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “Security! Get this man off my stage!”

“Your stage?” The Guardian’s laugh was bitter. “Boy, this here land belonged to my kin long before you set foot. And it’ll be ours long after you’re gone.”

The guards were closing in now, but the old man wasn’t finished.

“The roots run deep in Grayfall.” His voice rose above the approaching footsteps. “Deep enough to hide secrets. Deep enough to swallow folks whole. Y’all best remember that.”

As security finally reached him, the Guardian allowed himself to be escorted away.

“This is my cue,” Olive whispered to Jason. “Everyone’s watching the drama. I’m going now. I’ll be careful.”

Concern filled his gaze as he realized what she was talking about. “Olive, wait?—”

But she had already slipped away from the crowd, using the chaos and confusion to disappear into the shadows between the abandoned buildings.

Behind her, Brad tried to regain control of his audience, his voice strained with the effort of maintaining his cheerful facade.

This was Olive’s chance. She couldn’t blow it.