Page 9 of Obscurity
As soon as she climbed from the Wagoneer, she shouldered her backpack.
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she thought about seeing Jason.
Keep it professional,she reminded herself.You’re here to find a missing girl, not to rehash ancient history or let some local thugs intimidate you.
But as she walked toward the lodge’s entrance, Olive knew that some conversations could only be avoided for so long.
In her experience, the most dangerous secrets were often hidden behind the most welcoming smiles. And in a place laden with mystery, everyone was a suspect until proven otherwise.
Including the man she’d once loved, who was about to walk back into her life whether Olive was ready or not.
Pine Ridge Lodge’s interior felt almost too perfect—as if someone had consulted a handbook on “How to Create the Ideal Mountain Retreat” and followed it to the letter.
Exposed timber beams stretched across vaulted ceilings, while a massive stone fireplace dominated the far wall, its hearth crackling with a fire that seemed unnecessary given the warm June weather.
Leather furniture arranged in conversational clusters invited guests to linger, and the air carried the scent of evergreen and something else—something that reminded Olive of the sanitized smell of a doctor’s office.
“Welcome to Pine Ridge Lodge!” A man emerged from behind the reception desk with the kind of smile that belonged in a toothpaste commercial. “You must be Mrs. Jones. I’m Elias Mercer, the owner.”
Olive paused and adjusted the strap of her backpack. She hadn’t given her name yet, and while it was possible Elias had seen her reservation—and her photo—something in his tone suggested he’d been expecting her specifically—that she wasn’t merely a guest checking in.
Maybe it was paranoia after the gas station incident.
But maybe it wasn’t.
She quickly observed the man.
Elias Mercer was probably in his mid-forties, and he had the kind of outdoorsy good looks that belonged on a tourism brochure. His thick, dark hair had already grayed at the temples. His tan suggested he’d spent just enough time in the sun without looking weathered. His flannel shirt was pressed, and his hiking boots appeared expensive but pristine.
Everything about his appearance felt curated rather than authentic.
Olive offered a professional smile as she looked at him. “My GPS took me on a little detour on the way here.”
“Sometimes those things go a little wonky in this area,” Elias said. “You’re not the first person who’s said that.” He glanced beyond her. “Is your husband with you?”
“He’s arriving a little later. We’re looking forward to Grayfall this weekend. We understand you also have some excellent hiking trails nearby. If we have any free time, we definitely want to explore them.”
“The best in West Virginia, if I do say so myself. Though I trust you’ll stick to the marked trails. There have been some . . . unfortunate incidents with folks who venture too far off the beaten path.”
The way he said “unfortunate incidents” made it sound like he was discussing minor inconveniences rather than missing persons.
“Of course.”
“And there are bears as well as the occasional mountain lion.”
“Sounds . . . dangerous.”
“Not if people follow directions.” The threatening words sounded less dangerous with his pleasant tone and smile.
But Olive stored the warning away in the back of her mind. Until she knew what kind of people she was dealing with, she needed to tread carefully.
She glanced around the main room. “It looks like you have quite a few guests going to the music festival.”
Elias followed her gaze. “I’ve been amazed by the turnout. We’re fortunate to have such dedicated music enthusiasts who are willing to travel to this area for the festival.”
“Speaking of this area . . . I’d love to hear more about its history,” she said. “I understand the music festival is being held in an old mining town. Is that correct?”
Elias’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “Grayfall. Yes, it’s . . . historically significant. You’ll get to see the place firsthand for yourself tomorrow. I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises.”
