Smokescreen (Pros and Cons Mysteries #2)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

T wo hours later, the barbecue was in full swing. And, boy, did the food smell good.

Olive’s original fear about leaving this assignment ten pounds heavier seemed more realistic than ever.

Rows and rows of ribs stretched across the smoker. Miriam had made potato salad and coleslaw and homemade rolls. Their guests had brought sides, desserts, and drinks.

Now Olive would get to see Wyoming at its best.

She’d met all of the neighbors who’d come. The ranch hands and staff were also able to participate. Some had brought their children and spouses. There was a true sense of community.

If Olive ever decided to get out of her current line of work and settle down somewhere, maybe a ranch like this wouldn’t be a bad place to do so.

And to think someone was trying to ruin all this.

It didn’t seem right.

Reid must have seen her standing quietly by herself because he sauntered over to her. “Enjoying yourself?”

“It seems like a great community you have out here. I always imagined living out in the country like this you’d be isolated. But it’s obvious you’re not.”

“Not here. You have to depend on others to help you survive.” He scanned everyone at his place again.

Olive had counted fifty-four people here, including children. So far, all of them had seemed pleasant.

But her impression was that out of all the people present, Reid was the wealthiest. Did anyone resent him for that? Envy him?

He lowered his voice. “Have you seen anything suspicious?”

Olive scanned the crowd again and fought a smile as two kids ran circles around Trick and tried to rope him. “Not yet. But I’ve been keeping my eyes open.”

“I had no doubt about that.” He nodded at Cooper, who was teaching a kid who looked about eight years old how to lasso. “I saw you watching him earlier. Any reason why?”

“You’re observant. And, yes, there is a reason. I hadn’t had a chance to bring it up yet. But Hannah indicated that Daphne and Cooper seemed to have a close relationship.

“What?” Reid’s voice rose with surprise. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

She shrugged. “It’s something to keep in mind.”

Someone called him over, and Reid excused himself.

As he sauntered away, someone else caught her eye. Dippy.

He glanced around to see if anyone was watching—and clearly didn’t see her. Then he headed away from the crowd.

Where exactly was he going?

Olive planned on finding out . . . because as it stood now, he was one of her top suspects.

Olive looked for Trick but didn’t see him anywhere.

That meant she was on her own right now.

As Dippy walked around the side of the Homestead away from the crowd, Olive quietly slipped behind him. She paused at the corner and peered around it in time to see Dippy heading toward some outbuildings.

Moving quickly so as to not lose him, Olive followed.

He hurried across the lawn and disappeared behind the barn.

Olive darted toward the building, careful to remain out of sight.

She paused at the barn’s edge and peered at Dippy. He’d stopped behind the barn and pulled out his phone.

She crept closer, ducking behind an old combine where she wouldn’t be seen. Then she listened to his conversation.

“I’ve got what you need,” Dippy said. “Everything is going according to plan. It’s all on track.”

That sounded suspicious.

“It will all be over soon,” Dippy continued. “And Reid Harrison will never be the same.”

Dippy was behind this sabotage at the ranch, wasn’t he? This conversation was incriminating, to say the least.

Olive needed to confront him now while he couldn’t deny it.

She stood and stepped out.

As soon as Dippy saw her, his eyes widened.

“I’ve got to go,” he murmured before putting his phone away. He straightened as he turned toward her. “Olive . . . what are you doing here?”

“The question really is, what are you doing here?”

“Just talking to an old friend.” Sweat spread across his forehead.

She stepped closer. “You’re up to something, and I want to know what.”

“Why would you think that?” The beads of sweat across his skin continued to grow.

“For starters, you’re sneaking around behind the barn to make a phone call. I just overheard part of your conversation. Have you been trying to sabotage the ranch, Dippy?”

“What?” His voice rose. “You’ve got this all wrong.”

Olive crossed her arms. “Then you need to start explaining.”