“I’m sure he has lots of secrets.”
“You know what I mean—a secret that’s linked to what’s going on here.”
They continued through the snow. Then they carefully crouched near where they’d found JJ.
The wind had caused snow drifts over most of the area, but her prints and Jason’s still showed faintly—soft impressions half-filled with powder, their outlines blurred as if the storm itself were trying to erase them.
She studied the second set of footprints—the one she’d seen earlier.
“See?” Olive pointed. “Bigger boot tread. That’s not JJ’s.”
Jason knelt beside her. “Men’s size twelve, maybe. Could it be Rex? He’s got feet like snowshoes.”
Olive shook her head. “Pattern’s different. Plus, they’re worn down on the right heel. That’s not Rex.”
Eyes narrowing, she scanned the ground.
The other trail had almost vanished, wind erasing what little evidence remained. But one thing was clear—whoever had left this scene had gone back to the inn.
CHAPTER
SIX
Olive and Jasoncircled the larger shed, using their flashlights to guide their steps.
The wooden door still hung slightly open, the padlock dangling loose from its clasp. A small roof overhang had prevented snowdrifts from blocking the entrance.
Using her gloved hand, Olive pulled the door open. It creaked like bones grinding, the sound sending a shiver up her spine.
Inside, the smell of fuel oil mixed with cold metal. A dim lightbulb glowed over a jumble of snow shovels, propane tanks, and stacked firewood.
Olive stepped carefully, her boots crunching on the packed-dirt floor.
Her flashlight beam skimmed over the far side of the shed—and stopped.
Something glittered in the corner.
Olive crossed the space and knelt.
A cracked cell phone.
Jason frowned. “JJ’s?”
“Maybe.” She picked it up with her gloved hand and tried to turn it on—nothing. Dead battery. “If it sat out here long enough, it’ll need a full charge before we can pull data.”
Jason studied her face. “You think JJ was targeted?”
“I don’t know what to think at this point.”
She remembered the flash drive.
She hadn’t told Rex or anyone about it yet. Instinct told her to wait—to hold one card close until she knew for sure who at Aegis could be trusted.
Jason seemed to read her mind. “I noticed you didn’t mention the jump drive to anyone inside.”
“I didn’t. I want to look at it first—just until I know who I can trust.”
“Makes sense.”
