Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
“ I ’m sorry,” Olive told Reid when they left Wayne’s office. They paused on the sidewalk, and another gusty breeze ruffled Olive’s hair. “I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“It’s not. My days are already busy without adding a possible court date and legal battle onto that.” Exhaustion etched his voice.
“Hopefully, the court will be able to see this will she produced isn’t legit.”
“Let’s hope.” He paused in front of the truck, making no move to get in.
Olive observed his taut expression beneath his cowboy hat and knew his thoughts were heavy. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking about how Wayne said he saw Daphne. Why would she still be in town?”
“Because she likes it here so much?” Olive didn’t sound convinced as she asked the question.
“No way,” Reid said. “That doesn’t even sound like Daphne. She likes being around her people, and she’s very insecure traveling alone.”
None of that surprised Olive. “We could find out if you want.”
“You read my mind.” Reid threw her a look. “The most likely place she’d be staying is at the motel down the street. We could go past and see if her car is there.”
“Why not?” Olive shrugged.
They climbed into his truck and drove a mile down the road to the rustic-looking motel. It was two stories with fake log siding covering the exterior. Knobby wooden railings stretched across the walkways in front of the outside entrances. Even the sign outside the motel, one advertising Vulture Gulch Lodge, appeared dated with its red and yellow lettering.
Olive remembered the white Tesla she’d seen Daphne pull up in.
She scanned the lot, searching for it. “I don’t see her car.”
“There’s more parking around back,” Reid said. “Let’s check that out. At least we’ll know then.”
Reid pulled around the building and parked in the back of the lot. Sure enough, a white Tesla sat back there.
“Well, wouldn’t you know?” Reid muttered as he pressed on his brakes. “Daphne is still here.”
“Looks like it.” Olive paused. “Should we get out? See if we can find her?”
“Why not?”
Reid pulled to the curb and parked. Then they stepped out of his truck.
Olive glanced around, soaking in her surroundings—something any good investigator would do. Knowing the lay of the land was important, even in what seemed like the most docile situation.
The motel had been erected against the side of a mountain with room for only a few parallel parking spaces in the back. The whole area felt smaller and darker than Olive had anticipated, like an alley you didn’t want to be caught in.
“Are you going to try to talk to Daphne?” Olive asked.
Reid’s gaze narrowed. “I’m not sure what that would accomplish. But I do think it’s interesting she hasn’t left yet—especially in light of everything that’s happened.”
He’d already said Daphne was more the type to ruin someone on social media than by physically threatening them. But Olive knew Daphne had the wiles to convince people to do what she wanted. Olive could read that in the woman.
“Should we start knocking on doors?” Olive glanced across the exterior of the motel.
“I’m not sure that’s the best approach,” Reid said. “Let’s walk around to the front and see if we can get any information from the desk clerk.”
They started toward the front of the building. But before they could round the corner, two figures appeared in front of them.
Olive’s eyes widened.
Jon and Edgar.
Based on the satisfied look on their faces, these two had been following Olive, waiting to catch her.
Their fisted hands made it clear they were ready for trouble.
Olive reached for her gun, but she’d left her purse in the truck.
She hadn’t thought she’d need it.
That had been her first mistake.
“Can I help you?” Reid stepped forward, his muscles bristling.
“Just the people we’ve been looking for,” Jon muttered as he strode closer.
“Why would you be looking for us?” Olive would play this off for as long as she could.
“What happened to that Texas twang you had last time we met?” Edgar narrowed his eyes. “And the blonde hair?”
“I’m afraid you have me mistaken for someone else.” Olive let out a fake nervous laugh.
Jon narrowed his eyes. “I’m afraid we don’t.”
Reid’s chest seemed to grow broader as if swelling with protectiveness. “I don’t appreciate you two talking to my girlfriend like that.”
Edgar practically growled as he turned to Reid. “I don’t appreciate her getting into my business.”
“Now, everyone. I think this is a misunderstanding.” Olive pounced the air with her hands. “I just have one of those faces that everyone thinks they recognize.”
“Nice try, sweetie.” Jon clucked his tongue. “But you know things you shouldn’t know, and that isn’t going to work for us.”
Edgar tried to grab her, but Olive rocked back.
Reid stepped in front of her. Jon lunged for him, and Olive stepped out of their path as fists began to fly.
Quickly, she surveyed her surroundings, trying to figure out what she could use as a weapon.
There wasn’t much. Some rocks in a small flowerbed near the sidewalk. A cleaning cart two doors back. Four vehicles parallel parked. A mountain face beside them.
As Edgar lunged at her again, Olive dropped her shoulder and prepared herself for the fight of her life.