Page 52 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

A fter Pale Eyes/Bobby left, Max turned his attention to Jason and Olive. “You want to tell me what really happened here? Because that seemed personal.”

Olive made a quick decision. If Max was having doubts about the operation—and her overheard conversation suggested he was—maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“I ran into him at a gas station on my way here,” she said. “He tried to assault me when I asked for directions. My husband wasn’t there, so I had to defend myself.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Defend yourself how?”

“I have some self-defense training. Nothing fancy, but enough to get away from someone who doesn’t understand what ‘no’ means.”

Max studied her face as if trying to assess the truth of her statement. His expression was unreadable, but she sensed something shifting in his attitude.

“These mountains can be dangerous for outsiders,” he finally said. “Local law enforcement doesn’t always . . . respond quickly to certain types of incidents.”

There was something in his tone—a weariness, a hint of disgust—that made Olive think he’d seen this kind of situation before. And that he hadn’t liked it.

“Max, you seem like someone who actually cares about people’s safety.” Olive paused. “Can I ask you something?”

His guard immediately went up. “Depends on the question.”

“Are you happy with how this festival is being run? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like people are being unnecessarily put in danger.”

For just a moment, Max’s professional facade cracked. She saw frustration, moral conflict, and what might have been regret flash across his features.

Would he share?

Olive held her breath as she waited, praying this worked and that she could turn him.

Max opened his mouth as if he was going to share something.

Then he clamped his lips together, and his gaze hardened. “I don’t discuss operational details with guests.”

“If you know about something that’s going on here?—”

“I was just hired to do a job,” Max said. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

“So you’re going to sit back and do nothing while other people get hurt?” Olive stared at him. “I can see it in your eyes. That bothers you.”

He stared straight ahead and grunted.

Olive sensed he was struggling with what to do.

She waited, hoping her words had gotten through to him. Jason remained quiet, probably realizing Olive had a better chance of getting through to Max—especially after what had just happened.

He could be their chance to find out more information.

Finally, he looked back at Olive, resolve hardening in his gaze. “You and your husband should focus on enjoying the rest of your weekend and staying out of trouble.”

Her shoulders sagged with disappointment.

They’d been so close. But something had him spooked enough to stay quiet.

Was someone threatening him also?

The warning in his voice was clear: He wouldn’t answer questions, but he also wouldn’t necessarily act against them if they stayed under the radar.

It wasn’t the alliance Olive had hoped for, but it wasn’t outright hostility either. Since her enemies seemed to outnumber her potential allies, even neutral parties might prove valuable.

The question was whether Max’s apparent moral conflicts would eventually override his professional obligations—and whether that would happen in time to make a difference.