Page 33 of Spock’s Snare

Puma’s expression hardens. “Hiding the connection.”

“Looks that way,” Spark says. “Red Mesa ends up with a property worth more than what they paid, and there’s no obvious link between them and Red Rock Construction.”

I push my plate away. My appetite is gone.

“You think the overruns are deliberate.”

“I think thirty to forty percent is too high to dismiss,” Spark says. “Especially when the same pattern keeps ending with Red Mesa holding the property.”

Alisa looks at me. “Could they be responsible for the attacks on Chloe’s project? Maybe they want the project to fail so that Red Mesa can pick it up cheap.”

The question hits me hard.

Paul Scaro is already worried about costs. The attack on Dad delayed work. Damaged equipment, stolen supplies, vandalism—every incident costs money, even when I absorb as much of it as I can. So far, it hasn’t been astronomical, but if it keeps growing…

“They don’t have the Riversedge Apartment contract,” I say.

“Maybe they don’t need it,” Spock replies. “They just need the project to fail.”

My heart begins beating faster. “But why target me?”

“Red Rock wanted Inferno Ridge,” Puma says. “Maybe they planned to run their scam and take the property. Or maybe they plan on taking Riversedge Apartment. How did you get that project?”

I look from Puma to Spark. “Paul Scaro offered it to me. He contacted me and said that he heard good things about me. We talked about the project, and he said he had another construction company in mind but wasn't happy with them. He took a chance on me. I know he’s worried about the cost overruns, but since I’m absorbing some of those costs, it hasn’t impacted him much. We’re still on schedule. If the sabotage continues or escalates, that may change.”

Spock’s hand closes around mine beneath the table. His grip is firm and warm, anchoring me before panic can take hold.

“We’re not letting that happen,” he says.

I want to believe him, but the list on Spark’s screen tells me how many developers probably believed they could survive, too.

Puma leans forward, all traces of lunchtime ease gone. “We need to find the connection between Red Rock and Red Mesa. Names, money, shell companies—whatever they’re using to hide it.”

“I’m already digging,” Spark says.

“Dig deeper.”

“Plan to, and I think I have a lead we can use.”

“What kind of lead?” Puma asks.

“I recognized one of the names on the list, Darby Archer. She’s Juliet’s cousin. Her name was listed in both the journal and the spreadsheet.”

The sandwiches sit forgotten on the table while the implications settle over the room. I can’t stop thinking about Riversedge Apartments—or Paul Scaro’s worried expression when he asked whether the attacks would impact his project. However, Spark’s words pull my attention back into the conversation.

“Who’s Juliet?” I ask.

“Juliet Archer,” Dice says. “She’s friends with Avery.”

“Avery is Dice’s woman,” Spock explains. “She’s a bounty hunter.”

I glance at Spark. His expression remains carefully neutral, but Rattler’s grin tells me there’s more to the story.

“And Juliet is Spark’s woman,” Rattler adds.

Spark glares at him. “We’re seeing each other.”

“Sounds like your woman to me,” Viper says.