Smokescreen (Pros and Cons Mysteries #2)

Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42

O live had been standing outside for an hour, the details of her investigation still secondary. All she cared about was this beautiful property and the people and animals who lived here.

The wind shifted again. This time, it brought a cool breeze with it.

The breeze almost smelled like . . . rain. Dark clouds also rolled in.

“Is that . . . ?” Olive looked up at Reid.

His gaze was fixated on the sky in the distance. “I think so.”

Everyone seemed to notice at the same time. They stopped working and stared quietly at the sky.

A moment later, a fat raindrop hit Olive’s face.

Then another.

The next instant, rain began to pour down.

Everyone cheered.

The rain had come! Hopefully, it was enough to extinguish the fire, and the damage wasn’t too extensive already.

It seemed too early to celebrate. But this was definitely a good thing.

Reid pulled her into a hug, and Olive melted into the embrace. She liked the feeling of Reid’s arms around her a little too much.

This place—and Reid—had definitely grown on her and shown her a side of life she’d forgotten existed.

When he released her, Olive instantly missed his touch. But it was better this way. She needed to remain emotionally unconnected. It was the only way to cope with her job and her past hurts.

She pulled her thoughts together as more hugs and high fives went around.

Then she noticed a vehicle pulling down the lane.

A sheriff’s SUV.

Olive hoped they were coming with good news.

“We believe the fire is contained.” Sheriff Reginald Freeman stood on the porch talking to Reid, Olive, and the ranch’s employees, most of whom still stood in the rain and didn’t seem to mind getting a little wet after today’s escapades.

Another whoop of excitement went up around them.

“We’re going to monitor the situation, just to make sure,” Sheriff Freeman continued.

The man appeared to be in his fifties with a thick brown mustache, hook nose, and solid build. From what Olive understood, he was one of the originals in the area, a tried-and-true Wyomingite.

“Can you tell what the damages are yet?” Reid asked. “I’m assuming the pilots got a bird’s-eye view of this.”

“Hundreds of acres were burned, but much of it was rocky territory,” Freeman said. “There should be a limited loss of livestock.”

Limited loss of livestock? Lucy’s image flashed in her mind.

“This could have been much worse.” Freeman glanced behind him. “All your buildings are safe.”

“I’m thankful for that,” Reid said. “Will a fire investigator look into how this started?”

“As soon as it’s safe, they will. But this was most likely caused by man. As you know, it’s not dry season yet—that doesn’t start until July.”

Reid’s jaw tightened. “That’s what I assumed also. We haven’t had any lightning today or anything that would have ignited the fire.”

“Exactly. I know people often forget this is private property. They could have been out there camping without permission and not put out their fire properly.”

“Or it could be arson,” Olive added.

The sheriff’s gaze didn’t show any surprise. “You’re right. It very well could be.”

But if that was the case, was the person behind this still planning something even bigger?

Olive couldn’t even imagine what that might be.

They still needed to find more answers.

For now, Olive was thankful the fire had been contained.

The crowd around them scattered, leaving just the sheriff, Reid, and Olive.

Reid turned toward the sheriff, something else clearly on his mind. “Listen, have you heard anything about the government trying to take over some properties in the area?”

The sheriff didn’t hesitate before shaking his head. “No, I haven’t. Have you?”

“Just rumors, but nothing concrete. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on—if anything.”

“I’ll keep my ears open. But I think that news would have gotten to me by now if it were true.”

“I agree,” Reid said. “And I’d love to be kept in the loop if you hear anything.”

“Will do.” The sheriff nodded and started back to his vehicle.

But questions still swirled in Olive’s head.