Page 26 of Obscurity
The window sash gave a soft groan of protest but still wouldn’t budge.
“Yes, I do.” Elias’s voice carried a note of suspicion.
“Are you going to report it?”
“Won’t do much good now.”
Olive put both hands on the window frame and pulled with all her strength, not caring anymore about the sound.
The doorknob started to turn.
She tried again, her heart racing faster.
But the window wouldn’t open.
What was she going to do?
CHAPTER 15
Olive gave the window one more try.
Something gave way, and the window slid up with a soft scrape.
Finally!
Olive climbed through the window frame, dropping into the flower bed outside just as voices erupted in the office.
She pressed herself against the lodge’s exterior wall, her heart pounding so hard she was sure they could hear it from inside. Instead, she heard Elias say, “Can’t leave this window open.”
She held her breath as footsteps moved toward the window.
Would Elias peer out? Would he see her?
Instead, she heard the window squeal as it was shoved back in place.
The air left her lungs as relief filled her.
That had been close. Really close.
As she glanced at the office, she saw shadows moving inside, hands rifling through the very files she’d been photographing moments before.
She’d gotten some of the Northwoods information, but not nearly enough.
Who was the person with Elias? Did the owner have a confidante? If so, that person could be a valuable source of information.
If Olive could just get a little closer and peek inside . . .
But voices sounded in the distance. Being here was too risky.
Heart still racing, Olive hurried around the side of the building toward the front entrance where the hiking group was gathering. She spotted Jason scanning the area, probably wondering what was taking her so long.
“There you are,” Elias called out as Olive approached.
He’d made it out of his office quickly.
His tone was friendly but his eyes sharp with suspicion as he observed her. “We were about to send a search party.”
“Sorry.” Olive prayed her voice sounded steadier than she felt. “I’m a sucker for wildlife, and I thought I saw a deer.”
