Page 31 of Smokescreen

“You two are really good at pretending like you’re dating,” Trick finally said.

“I’m pretty good at pretending in general. I thought you knew that.”

“I just thought . . .” Trick shrugged. “I don’t know . . . that maybe you were feeling like you need a man in your life or something. I mean, someone other than me.” He threw her a grin.

Olive narrowed her eyes. “Why would you even think that?”

“I mean, on the last case, you and your ex had googly eyes for each other. And now you’ve caught feelings for Reid.”

Her defenses instantly rose. “First of all, I haven’tcaughtfeelings for anyone. And secondly, why do people say caught feelings? Shouldn’t it bedevelopedfeelings? Caught feelings makes no sense. Feelings aren’t the flu.”

He chuckled. “Calm down. I was just making an observation.”

“Okay.” Olive drew in a deep breath. She hadn’t meant to go off on that tangent. “Enough about my love life—or lack thereof. I have important things to go over with you.”

“I have some things to tell you too. But you go first.”

She caught him up on what had happened last night. She also told him about what was happening today with the lawyer and tomorrow with the barbecue.

“Now your turn,” Olive told Trick when she was done.

“I talked to Tevin. He looked into the mineral resources in the area. Apparently, there could be some bentonite and uranium. But while there might be some traces, it wouldn’t be enough for someone to want to sabotage the property and drive Reid away. I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.”

“I agree.” At least they could mark off that theory. “Did he tell you anything else?”

“Tevin also found out some information about the two men you ran into inside Skip’s office—including the one with the mean right hook.” He pointed to his jaw and winced at the memory.

“Tell me more.”

“The taller man with the cowboy boots is Jon White, and the other guy is Edgar Seller. They’re both from Montana and have rap sheets filled with minor charges—theft, disturbing the peace. Nothing violent per se.”

“What else?”

“Neither are listed as being employed at the moment. But we know what that means—whoever is paying them is doing it off the books.”

“Is there any other way?” she quipped.

“Nope. Tevin is going to keep digging. Maybe he can find a connection that will help point us to the person who hired them. Those guys are obviously not the mastermind, just the hired thugs.”

“Could Skip Carson be behind this?” she asked.

“I don’t think so. Skip may not be a great guy—he’s known for having a bit of a temper. But he doesn’t have a lot of money or resources. Plus, he’s been in the hospital a lot recently because of a heart attack he suffered a few months back.”

“By the way, I asked Tevin to look into Lucy. Tevin talked to Rex, and Rex is going to send Mitzi to see if she can find out more.” Mitzi was another of their colleagues. She had the perfect personality for cozying up to people to find out information.

“Good idea,” Trick said.

They reached the stables, sauntered inside, and Trick dismounted. He looked like a natural as he secured his horse to a post.

Then he walked over to help Olive, but she’d already dismounted by the time he reached her.

She was feeling pretty proud of herself until she stumbled a couple of steps. Fortunately, she caught herself and saved face.

But she saw a flash of amusement in Trick’s gaze. Thankfully, he didn’t say anything.

He knew what was best for him.

However, Olive really could be a little too stubborn for her own good at times.