“So, you know Dorothy? That’s why Richard knew you?”
“I live in Moon Lake. We share the same friends. That’s why he knows me.”
“There’s nothing like small-town living, right?” Belinda chuckled. “Anyways. That was a brave thing you did out there. I’m glad we got you on our side.”
That was the first indication she gave me that this was more than a chance encounter.
And I was ready to put the situation in the parking lot behind me and focus on the reason I was there. Though, it would probably come back to haunt me, as my memories tended to do.
“I guess we don’t have to talk about why we were meeting in the first place. I didn’t know you were”—I looked around, but nobody paid us any attention—“Electrona,” I whispered. “I guess you don’t need to call law enforcement…since, you know, you are.”
Belinda nodded. “You’re right. But I will go check it out myself before I make it official.”
I frowned. “But why would you do that?”
Belinda looked outside the window, then back at me. “Honestly, there’s stuff going on that I can’t talk about, but there was a meeting, and I was coming on a bit too strong. I got reprimanded and told to cool my horses.”
She inhaled and exhaled deeply. “If I bring in this information, and it turns out to be a bust, I lose my credibility. And I’m on shaky ground as it is. So, I will just hike up there, take a look around. If nothing’s there, I don’t need to do anything. And if the woman from the video is there, I can call in the cavalry.”
It sounded logical, but I couldn’t shake the feeling deep in my gut that this was a stupid and potentially dangerous idea. But who was I to judge? Belinda had far more experience with stuff like that. More experience and a far better grasp of the situation. “Hike up there? Where?”
“The geotag pointed to an old lumber mill just outside of town up the mountain. It’s not far, so it should take me an hour max to hike up there and back down.”
“If there’s nothing up there.”
She nodded.
“And if there is, and something goes wrong?”
“That’s where you come in.”
“I can’t go up there with you. I mean, my leg doesn’t hurt terribly, but I’m not up for a hike, that’s for sure.”
“But you could stay in my truck, trace me, and if I don’t come back, you can call Richard.”
That I could most definitely do. “I can do that. But I still think we should tell Richard.”
“Noted.” She nodded once, then looked down at her hands in front of her on the table. “I know you think I’m stupid or reckless, but I’m really not. It’s just…hard being the only woman in a team full of alpha men who happen to be war heroes, as well.”
I grabbed her hand, which surprised me. I’d never been the one actively establishing physical contact. With anyone. Maybe with all those Max-touches these last few days, I’d changed even more than I’d thought. “It’s okay. Just promise me you’ll just look around and come straight back.”
“I swear, no hero stuff or anything. I’ll take a look around and come straight back. Maybe we should invite Sharon.”
Now that was out of the blue. “Why?”
“I don’t know; we could do drinks afterward?”
Before I could even contemplate if having drinks afterward was what I wanted, Belinda had her phone out and called Sharon.
“Hey, friend. I met Milli, and we’re sitting here having lunch. We’re thinking drinks at The Oaktree in a couple hours if you’re free?”
I watched Belinda listen to Sharon. “He did? Great. Then you’re free?”
She nodded. “Great, you talk to your neighbor, and call us as soon as you know.”
She ended the call, and I leaned in. I couldn’t wait to know. Having a spontaneous girls’ night out sounded like fun. And I could use some fun.
“She’s off work today. Something about Blake closing the bar. She needs to check in with her neighbor if she can take care of Stevie. But if that works out, it’s a go.”