Page 67 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

M oving as quickly as the group could manage, they followed Carl’s directions through dense forest. Behind them, voices shouted as the security team discovered Connor’s unconscious form.

The old logging road was exactly where Carl had said it would be, and sitting at the end of it was a vehicle—a rugged SUV that looked capable of handling the mountain terrain. Connor must have joined in the search and driven this here.

“Can you hotwire it?” Olive asked Jason as they reached the vehicle.

“Not my specialty, but I can try.” He examined the door locks.

The sound of pursuit came closer. They had maybe two minutes before security reached their position.

“Margaret.” Carl turned to his wife. “Remember when we were dating, and you hotwired your dad’s truck because you lost the keys?”

“That was forty years ago, Carl.” Margaret shook her head. But, despite her words, she moved toward the driver’s side. “Let me try.”

Her hands worked with surprising skill, pulling panels and locating wires with the confidence of someone who’d grown up around machinery.

“Come on, come on,” she muttered as the sound of pursuit grew louder.

The engine turned over just as the first ATV broke through the trees behind them.

“Got it!” Margaret announced.

Olive jumped behind the wheel as Margaret climbed into the back.

“Go, go, go!” Jason shouted, helping the injured captives into the vehicle as Olive floored the accelerator.

The SUV lurched forward onto the narrow mountain road just as armed figures emerged from the forest, their shouts of frustration echoing through the morning air.

But they weren’t safe yet—not even close. They had a head start, but their pursuers had radios, helicopters, and intimate knowledge of every road in the area.

The real challenge was just beginning.

As Olive navigated the winding mountain road, the sound of helicopters grew louder behind them.

But these weren’t the corporate aircraft they’d seen earlier—these had the distinctive sound of military rotors, and through the trees, Olive saw multiple helicopters converging on the mining operation.

“Rex came through,” Jason said with relief. “Backup is here.”

They reached a cliff about two miles from the mining site, where Olive finally stopped the SUV.

From their position, they could see the entire operation spread out below them—the festival grounds, the mine entrance, and the cluster of buildings where they’d been held prisoner.

Federal agents swarmed the area like ants, their vehicles creating a perimeter around the entire site while helicopters landed in the festival’s main area.

Even from this distance, Olive could see people being detained, equipment being secured, and what appeared to be a coordinated takedown of the entire operation.

Maybe this was over.

She wanted to feel relieved. But something stopped her.

“Olive.” Jason handed her his binoculars. “You should see this.”