Page 40 of Clear Path

“A possible head injury,” he clarified. “Based on the amount of blood. Scalp wounds, even minor ones, are notorious for bleeding copiously.”

“Before we run off half-cocked let’s find out if anyone knows about any health conditions. You asked about her mental health back at the tapas bar, not her physical health. We’ll split up and ask the others casually. No need to alarm everyone yet. I’ll talk to Julie first.”

“I might as well ask Lucas. I’ve already stirred the hornet’s nest,” he responded.

Bodhi escorted Diana back to the trail, keeping and light hand on her elbow, then he guided her toward Julie, who stood apart from the group, staring into the darkness beyond the cave.

“I’ve got it from here, thanks.”

He strode off in the other direction.

She carefully walked over to the real estate developer she’d known since childhood. “Julie, do you know if Rory has any medical conditions?”

Julie turned, surprise registering on her face. “Why?”

“It might be relevant to finding her.”

Julie hesitated. “I don’t know, actually. I’ve signed for some packages delivered to the apartment when she’s been away on shoots. They could be prescriptions or medical supplies. Or they could be photography equipment. Or sex toys, for all I know.”

Diana wasn’t touching the sex toys comment with a six-foot, er, pole. “She never mentioned any health problems, though?”

“No,” Julie crossed her arms. “And I would never dream of asking. Rory’s very private about certain things.”

Diana waited, sensing Julie had more to say.

“We argued last night,” Julie volunteered suddenly. “About the Hudson property—the demolition she photographed.”

Diana tilted her head. “Why are you telling me this now?”

Julie looked away. “I don’t know. Maybe I feel guilty? She was pretty upset. And, honestly, so was I.”

“Were you upset enough to follow her to the cave and confront her?” Diana asked bluntly.

Julie’s head snapped back. “Confront her? As in assault her and drag her away? No! Come on, Diana, what kind of person do you think I am?”

“The kind who sometimes puts profit over people,” Diana replied evenly. “I’ve watched Union Hill change under your guidance. Not all of it for the better.”

“Now you sound like her.”

Diana let the retort hang on the air.

After a moment, Julie protested further, “I create opportunities. I can’t help who gets left behind.”

“Can’t you?”

Julie’s voice hardened. “I didn’t hurt Rory. I wouldn’t. For all our disagreements, I actually like her.”

Diana nodded, letting the subject drop. “If you think of anything about her health, let me know.”

She moved away, cautiously, keeping her gaze on the pool of light created by her headlamp. As she did so, she wondered what had prompted Julie’s voluntary admission about the argument. Guilty conscience? Or was she trying to get ahead of something?

Before Diana had gone ten feet, Julie was making a phone call. The harsh glow of her phone lit up the dark.

As Diana turned toward Sadie and Aaron, who were across the clearing, Julie said in a throaty voice, “Ron? Do you have a minute?”

Diana froze, then melted into the copse of trees to listen to Julie’s end of the conversation.

“Nothing so far. Except being grilled by your ex.” She laughed lightly at something Ron said. Then, “Don’t worry. She doesn’t suspect anything.”

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