Page 59 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

B ack in Grayfall, Olive noted that most people had apparently given up on the evening’s entertainment and retreated to their tents. Despite that, another terrible band performed in the distance—probably more “local talent” Brad had promised would make up for the missing headliners.

“We need to look at those photos you took earlier,” Jason said as they approached their tent. “Maybe they have the answers we need.”

Olive nodded, her adrenaline slowly fading as the magnitude of their discovery settled over her. They huddled inside their cramped tent and scrolled through the images she’d captured.

“Wait.” Jason pointed to one of the photos. “Go back to that last one.”

Olive found the image he was referring to—a schedule she’d photographed that detailed various operational phases and timing. As she studied it more carefully, a pattern emerged.

“Look at this.” She enlarged the text. “Six a.m. to eight a.m.—Surface Operations Minimal, Shift Change Window. And here—Security Patrols Reduced During Equipment Maintenance.”

Jason studied the schedule more carefully. “Those auxiliary facilities—they have to be those buildings near the migrant camp we spotted. If they’re doing weekly inspections, that means the buildings will be temporarily unoccupied.”

“It’s risky.” Even as Olive said the words, she could already see the possibility forming. “But it might be our only chance to find out what’s really happening to people like Hector.”

The missing worker’s fate had taken on new significance now that they’d seen the scope of the operation. If he’d discovered what they’d just discovered, his disappearance might not have been voluntary at all.

“Six a.m.,” Jason agreed. “We’ll need to move fast and be ready to get out quickly if things go wrong.”

As they sat in their compact tent, the photos from the mine still glowing on Olive’s phone screen, the pieces of the puzzle finally clicked into place with devastating clarity.

“The festival was never real,” she said quietly, scrolling through her photos. “It was just an elaborate cover.”

Jason looked up from studying the schedule they’d found. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it.” Olive’s voice grew more urgent as the connections formed in her mind.

“All the heavy equipment Brad claimed was for ‘stage construction’—it was really mining machinery being moved into position. The helicopters supposedly bringing in musicians were actually transporting industrial supplies.”

“They needed an excuse for all the activity, all the noise, all the people coming and going,” Jason finished.

Nausea roiled inside Olive as she understood the scope of the deception. “What do you think they’re extracting?”

“I’m thinking maybe there are rare earth minerals that were found in those mine shafts. They’re using migrant workers, hiding the operation underground, and eliminating anyone who gets too close to the truth.”

Horrible music still drifted across the campsite from the main stage, and now even that took on sinister implications. Local musicians keeping people distracted while the real work happened underground and in the hidden facilities.

“But why Chloe and Becca?” Jason asked. “If this is just about illegal mining, why target them specifically?”

Olive stared at the photos, her mind racing. “Because they saw too much. Chloe was supposed to create promotional content that made this place look authentic, but she must have learned something she wasn’t supposed to know. And Becca . . .”

“Her friend must have overheard something when she interned for Brad,” Jason finished. “Becca came here to investigate, and someone got suspicious . . .”

The stakes were too high right now for them to mess up, Olive pondered as pressure built between her shoulders.

This was one assignment she couldn’t fail.

“This goes way beyond Brad Kellerman. He can’t be running this.” Certainty grew in Olive’s voice. “He’s just the front man. This kind of operation requires massive funding, government connections, sophisticated equipment.”

Jason nodded. “Someone with serious resources is backing this. Someone who can make people disappear and make mining operations look like music festivals.”

“We need to let Rex and Tevin know.”

“I’ll call Rex with the update.” Jason rose. “You’ve already risked enough.”

“But—”

“No buts. I’ll walk close to Brad’s house and make the call. I’ll be careful. I’ll stop by Tevin’s tent on the way back.”

Olive knew better than to argue. Instead, she nodded.

But the gravity of this situation pressed on her. The people behind this had too much money involved for them to back down without a fight.

And there would be a fight.

But how many people would become collateral damage in the process?

Outside their tent, the music continued—a soundtrack to one of the most elaborate criminal conspiracies Olive had ever encountered.

And somewhere in the darkness, two young women were depending on Olive and Jason to uncover the truth before it was too late—if it wasn’t already.