Page 12 of Spock’s Snare

"We've got a problem."

The room goes still.

"I think everyone here knows Chloe Davenport, right? She’s the owner of DC Construction, the company that won the bid to build Inferno Ridge.”

A murmur goes around the room as everyone acknowledges that they’re aware of Chloe.

“Someone attacked her father on another site. They knocked him unconscious and left a threatening message for Chloe.”

The murmurs turn angry.

“I’ve spoken with Chloe, and she told me that this wasn’t the first time damage was done to the site. She’s been under attack since she won the Inferno Ridge bid.”

“You think someone is attacking her because she won the bid?” Chill asks.

Puma shrugs. “The timing fits. She said the incidents started soon after Spock made the decision and informed the other companies.”

“What kind of attacks?” Rush asks.

“Mostly vandalism. Some equipment has been stolen or damaged. Chloe didn’t connect it to winning the Inferno Ridge bid right away. She thought it might be one of the assholes she fired. According to her foreman, Blackwood, Chloe had to fire a couple of misogynistic creeps who didn’t like working for a woman.”

“But you think it’s tied to Inferno Ridge?” Chill asks.

Puma shrugs. “I don’t know, but the timing says it is a possibility.”

The atmosphere in the room darkens.

Inferno Ridge is our development. Whoever's targeting Chloe isn't just after her company anymore. They're interfering with Demon Dawgs' business.

Rush leans forward, resting his forearms on the table.

"Sounds like someone didn't like losing the bid to a woman.”

Puma gives a single nod.

"That's exactly what I'm thinking. Four other firms bid on the contract. I asked Spark to pull together some information on them. We’re going to look into each one and see if we can find the assholes who are working against Chloe. Spark.”

Spark taps a key on his laptop, and the wall-mounted monitor lights up with the Adams Construction logo. Two headshots appear beside it.

"Derek and Danny Adams," he says. "They’re brothers and co-owners.”

I study the pictures. They’re both in their mid-thirties. Neither looks mean enough to attack an older man, but looks can be deceiving.

"They've been in business almost ten years," Spark continues. "They have a good reputation. They’re licensed and bonded with no major OSHA violations. On the surface, they look solid.”

“What lies under the surface?” Rattler asks.

Spark grins at him before clicking to the next slide. Several financial charts fill the screen.

"They’re hurting financially."

He points at a downward trend.

"They’ve overextended themselves, and they’re scrambling. They had a couple of projects go south when investors pulled out. They were probably hoping the Inferno Ridge project would be their salvation. We have money, and they know it. However, they’re not down and out. They have bids out for other projects that could have them regrouping quickly.”

Puma leans back in his chair.

"Have they had any dealings with Chloe?”