“Into mountain life now?” Andrew aimed a friendly smirk at her. “I thought you were a Malibu girl for life.”
“Apparently I’m a pushover for a stunning view,” she replied with a light laugh. “There are film studios out here. I think one of them might need me.”
“I heard that,” Spalding called out.
Lacy winked at Mel. “Good!” she shot back. “He knows I’m solid,” she assured Mel. “My contract isn’t up for another fifteen months or so,” she joked. “But tell me how things are out here.” She lowered her voice. “Did you need a side hustle to make ends meet when you were single?”
“Anyone wanting to live here would need a serious side hustle,” Mel replied. “Or a wealthy uncle.” Under the table, Dean knocked his knee against hers, reminding her to behave. Pretending not to notice, she topped a slice of sharp cheddar cheese with a slice of fresh pear. “There are plenty of affordable options in the Springs and the surrounding smaller towns.”
Lacy elbowed Andrew. “I might become a mountain life convert,” she said.
“Won’t believe it until I see the moving van,” he said. To Mel and Dean, he explained, “Our Lacy is a beach-lover to the bone. Not such a fan of that white stuff that falls all winter long around here.”
“Not just winter,” Dean said, a twinkle in his eyes. “Around here snow is possible any time of year.”
Lacy’s enthusiasm dimmed just a bit. “I’m an adaptable person.”
“But are you?” Andrew dodged the next elbow she aimed at him.
“Were either of you on the crew when Mr. Spalding did the military documentary overseas?” Dean asked.
“Not me.” Lacy shook her head. “Word at the office was Neil’s old assistant gave her notice the day they got back and he ran through a few temps before he finally hired me. You were on that trip, weren’t you?” she asked Andrew.
Andrew’s good humor evaporated in a flash. “Unfortunately, yes. The stress knocked a few years off my life, for sure.”
“Seriously?” Mel did her best to sound genuinely surprised.
He nodded. “Worst conditions of my career. The crew did their best, our military security escort was top notch, but getting a raw human-interest story in the middle of a war was nuts.” He tipped his head slightly toward Spalding and Atwell. “On the plane earlier, Neil told us we would meet Atwell on this trip. I didn’t know it at the time, but apparently Atwell was instrumental in helping us survive some dicey situations over there.”
Situations no doubt orchestrated by the crime lord’s network. She was back to wondering how Atwell had managed to connect with Spalding in the first place. Mel made a mental note to search for the name of Lacy’s predecessor. Maybe there was a reason other than war-zone induced stress behind the assistant’s departure.
Dean deftly changed the topic, covering for Mel’s distraction while her mind churned.
Darkness fell and the lights sparkled like stars as they devoured a hearty dinner that included roasted chicken, beef brisket, and all the sides anyone could wish for. Atwell’s staff served a cherry cobbler for dessert that was utterly decadent.
Stuffed, Mel leaned against Dean’s shoulder. “I regret nothing,” she joked, “but I need to walk this off.”
“Same,” Lacy agreed. “Glad those trails are well-lit.”
“Pardon me,” Spalding drew everyone’s attention. “James has suggested we stay here for the entire trip.”
“Free of charge,” Atwell said. “It will give my staff more training time and be more convenient for you, yes?”
Maria raised her glass. “I’m all for anything that helps the bottom line. Thank you.”
The rest of the scouting team was clearly enthused. Mel was happy to have more time to scope out the area for potential trouble, whether or not it connected to Spalding.
Based on the set of Dean’s jaw, she knew he was less than thrilled and she was looking forward to comparing notes when they could talk freely. On the surface, it seemed as if things had unfolded naturally, but she was increasingly sure that Atwell had some kind of leverage on Spalding. Since the man had shown up at the airport, every move felt a little too neat and tidy for her liking. As if they’d blundered into a spider’s web and each attempt to escape only decreased their odds of survival.
When everyone was ready, Atwell led the group around to the front of the house where the cars were waiting. Again, his black SUV took the lead as the caravan drove over to the dude ranch. Atwell was definitely showing off Lattice Creek to full advantage as he guided them around to the main entrance, under the sign that arched over the drive, and on up to the parking area near the cabins.
This time the guard was in a tiny log cabin centered in the middle of the two-lane roadway. The vibe was friendlier, or would have been if she didn’t know Atwell’s past.
Mel’s nerves were jumping and questions danced through her mind as each member of the crew was assigned a cabin. Atwell had planned this down to the smallest detail. But why? If he was running an illegal operation it didn’t make sense to have them underfoot. Maybe the man believed his own press, that he had truly changed and left his criminal enterprises behind.
No. People couldn’t flip a switch and make those radical changes stick.
“Want to share with the class?” Dean asked when they were alone in their cabin. “I can practically hear the gears turning in your head.”
She stared at him across the queen-sized bed that dominated the room. He’d brought in the luggage, including the drones. For a split-second she was ready to unload and then she remembered where she was. Atwell, in his previous life, didn’t take chances and he had money to invest in sophisticated tech. He might already have someone listening.
“It’s too awesome.” She planted her hands on her hips. “Right?”