Page 44 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

W hen the house had been quiet for several minutes, Olive emerged from the closet and moved quickly to the desk.

Someone else might return at any moment, and she needed to find evidence of what was really happening here.

From her position in the room, she could hear the band beginning to play. She may have even heard some boos from the audience.

She turned back to the desk. It was organized with file folders arranged alphabetically, computer screens displaying various security feeds and data charts, and a stack of documents marked with official-looking seals and classifications.

She pulled out her phone, grateful that she’d thought to bring a portable charger. Her battery was still at nearly full capacity, allowing her to photograph whatever evidence she could find.

The first folder was labeled “Logistics—Phase 3” and contained what appeared to be a list of employees.

Olive didn’t recognize any of the names.

The second was marked “Financial Projections” and showed revenue streams that didn’t match anything resembling a legitimate music festival. The amounts were in the millions.

Another folder contained what appeared to be a geological survey.

Why would they need a geological survey?

Olive photographed page after page, her hands growing steadier as her training took over despite her shock at what she was seeing.

There was definitely more going on here than met the eye.

Her hands trembled slightly as she continued photographing. Each image revealed another layer of the conspiracy. Financial records showing millions of dollars. Environmental impact reports. Shipping manifests.

She was photographing a page near the end of the stack when she heard it: the soft click of the door handle turning.

Panic shot through her system like ice water.

Someone was back.

She ducked under the desk, knowing the files were still out.

If this was Elias or Brad, they would know things hadn’t been left this way.

Someone stepped inside.

She heard breathing, sensed a presence filling the doorway.

The footsteps paused.

Had this person seen her? Was he or she reaching for a weapon? Calling for security?

The footsteps moved closer.

And she realized this was the moment of truth.

Time was up.