Page 46 of Only One More Lie

“It doesn’t make any sense. The only reason someone would do this would be to weaken the ice, to compromise its safety.” Tim stiffened as if his thoughts had just caught up with his words. “And if that’s true . . .”

Tim didn’t have to finish his statement.

If that was true, then somebody had come out here and compromised the ice on purpose . . . hoping someone would be hurt.

The action could have had deadly consequences.

Maybe that had been the intent.

CHAPTER 21

Duke and Andi left the lake, armed with new information.

They headed to check on the rest of the team at the cabin and give them an update.

“All of these . . . all of these crimes and tragedies . . . they seem like too much of a coincidence,” Andi murmured.

“I agree,” Duke said. “Calebwasin charge of this excursion. Maybe he has more to do with this than we assumed.”

“I know. I definitely want to talk to him. It looked like he and Juniper were in a heated discussion, so I thought I’d let them talk first.”

“We still need to figure out everything this is connected to or even if itisconnected.” Duke rubbed his jaw. “I’m still not quite sure about that either.”

Andi frowned. “There are definitely a lot of moving pieces.”

He tilted his head. “It seems like there always are when we work a case.”

“We do like to take on the complicated ones.”

Just as they reached their cabin, the door flew open, and Bert stormed out. His nostrils were flaring and his cheeks red.

Obviously, the talk he’d had with the gang hadn’t gone well.

“I’m going to tear this place apart!” he called behind him. “Mark my words!”

He threw on brakes when he spotted Duke and Andi standing there.

“Is there a problem?” Duke rose to full height, his shoulders broadening.

“I should have never come here.” Bert stopped and shook his head. “I had no idea you guys would accuse me of murder!”

“You’re saying you’re angry about your stay here, but you weren’t angry enough to murder someone?” Andi stared up at the man.

“Of course not.” He snorted as if she were the crazy one. “I just wanted some money.”

“Like you wanted money back from other places you stay?” Duke raised an eyebrow as he waited for the man’s response.

When the man paled, Duke continued. “Do you always find reasons to complain about the places where you stay? Maybe you even brag on social media about how to get vacations at a discount. That’s how you’re an influencer, isn’t it? You basically teach people how to scam others.”

Bert’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t know anything!”

Then he stormed past them, headed toward a lone red truck parked off the side of the road.

When he disappeared, Andi turned toward Duke. “Impressive. How did you figure that one out?”

“My brother mentioned something to me about people who did stuff like that once.” Duke shrugged. “And I did a little research after I talked to Gibson.”

“With everything going on, I’m glad you thought to check out his social media content.”

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