Page 8 of Obscurity (Pros and Cons Mysteries #5)

B ack in the dining room, Olive found Jason saving her a seat at one of the long communal tables.

The lodge’s dining area continued the rustic theme with exposed beam ceilings and vintage mining tools displayed on the walls. Oil lanterns provided ambient lighting that created dancing shadows in every corner.

Elias stood at the front of the room, a stein of beer in hand, commanding attention with the ease of a natural performer.

“For those who are new to our little corner of West Virginia, you’re staying in what was once the heart of coal country.

These mountains have been home to miners and their families for over a century, and the history runs as deep as the mineshafts themselves. ”

Tevin had found a spot at a table across the room, his attention apparently focused on Elias’s presentation while he ate. He gave no sign of recognizing Olive, but she noticed how his gaze kept moving.

“Now, tomorrow you all will be utilizing our trail system to get to the music festival,” Elias continued. “I can’t stress enough the importance of staying on marked paths. These mountains can be unforgiving to those who venture off the beaten track.”

“What about the missing people?” Maya spoke up, her earlier composure restored but her voice still carrying that breathless quality of someone used to dramatic storytelling.

“I mean, I’ve been researching this area for my content, and there have been some seriously sketchy disappearances around here. Will we be safe out there?”

Elias’s smile never wavered. “Those unfortunate incidents involved people who ignored safety protocols. Some ventured into areas where mountain locals don’t take kindly to strangers on their property. The people around here value their privacy—and they protect it.”

The way he said “mountain locals” carried a dismissive undertone that made Olive’s jaw clench. It also made it clear he wasn’t from this area. But she already knew that.

She’d researched the man before coming and knew he was from Maryland, where he’d managed a successful hotel before buying this lodge.

“Are you talking about the families who’ve lived in these mountains for generations?

” Connor lowered his camera from where he’d been videoing the room.

“Because in my experience covering festivals in rural areas, most locals are incredibly welcoming. They’re usually excited about the economic boost.”

“Most are, yes,” Elias agreed. “But isolation can breed . . . suspicion. And some areas around Grayfall in particular have residents who prefer to remain . . . shall we say—undisturbed.”

“You make them sound feral,” Maya noted, an eyebrow quirked. “You know, like you hear creepy stories about online. I’ve heard them called Dark Watchers.”

Elias neither confirmed nor denied her statement.

The tension in the room was palpable.

As if desperate to move on, Elias cleared his throat and gestured toward a large topographical map mounted on the wall.

“These mountains are full of natural wonders—limestone caves that stretch for miles, waterfalls hidden in remote gorges, wildlife that exists nowhere else in the state. Some say these hills are even home to creatures of legend.”

Someone laughed nervously. “You mean like Bigfoot?”

“West Virginia has its own legends,” Elias said with a grin. “Ever heard of the Mothman? Red eyes, massive wings, appears before disasters? Point Pleasant isn’t that far from here, and some say the creature never left the area.”

More nervous laughter rippled through the room, but Olive wasn’t amused. She’d encountered enough real monsters in human form to know that the supernatural was usually a convenient way to explain away very human crimes.

“The point is, these mountains demand respect,” Elias continued.

“Stay on the trails, travel in groups, and always let someone know your planned route. Do that, and you’ll have an incredible festival experience.

Speaking of which, I should mention that some of the artists will be arriving by helicopter due to the remote location, so don’t be alarmed if you hear aircraft tomorrow—it’s all part of bringing you this unique musical experience. ”

As conversations resumed around the individual tables, Olive felt a flutter of nerves.

Somewhere in the abandoned mining town of Grayfall, answers waited.

The question was: What would others do to keep them from finding them?

Dinner had been surprisingly good—locally sourced trout with wild mushrooms, fresh bread that steamed when broken open, and a blackberry cobbler that tasted like someone’s grandmother had made it with love and butter. Under different circumstances, Olive might have actually enjoyed the meal.

Instead, she found herself picking at her food while her mind wandered to the photograph she’d seen on the wall. Her father, standing in the back row of that corporate retreat photo like he belonged there. Like he was just another businessman enjoying a weekend in the mountains.

But James Sterling, if that had even been his real name—Olive still wasn’t sure—never did anything without an ulterior motive. Every smile had been calculated, every conversation a chess move in some larger game she’d never fully understood.

What were you really doing here, Dad? What kind of scheme were you involved in?

She could picture him at this very table, charming the other guests with stories that sounded true but probably weren’t.

He’d always been good at making others feel like they were the most interesting person in the room while quietly memorizing their weaknesses, their desires, their bank account numbers.

For years, Olive had believed his cover story about working for the government. The excuse had explained the constant moves, the new identities, the way he always seemed to know things he shouldn’t.

But after his death—after her entire family’s murder—she’d learned the truth about who he really was.

A con man. A thief. A man who destroyed lives for profit.

And now she was sitting in a place where he’d apparently conducted business twenty-plus years ago.

“—So we’ll see everyone bright and early to head to the festival.” Elias’s voice cut through her dark thoughts. “Please remember our safety protocols. And as always, if you see anything unusual in the woods, don’t investigate on your own. Report it to lodge staff immediately.”

The way he emphasized “anything unusual” made Olive’s skin crawl. What exactly were they expecting people to see out there?

Conversations resumed as guests began pushing back from their tables, some heading toward the lobby’s fireplace for nightcaps while others made their way toward the stairs and their rooms.

Olive noticed that Dr. Z was adding something on his calculator while Conner clutched his camera like it contained state secrets. Maya was already pulling out her phone, probably planning her next social media post despite the spotty service.

“Ready to head up?” Jason’s voice sounded carefully neutral.

Olive nodded, acutely aware of the other guests who might be watching their interactions. She needed to stick to her cover story.

She’d perfected the art of taking on new personas when she’d been growing up. That made this undercover career perfect for her.

“I’m exhausted,” she murmured. “It’s been a long day. But I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. You know what they say . . .”

“What’s that?”

“Down in the holler where the shadows grow long, there’s whispers in the wind of something gone wrong. So listen real close to what the old folks say, some places are meant to stay hidden away.”

The lyrics felt hollow in her mouth, but they fit the situation perfectly.

She and Jason were just another couple about to walk into whatever trap was waiting for them in Grayfall.