Page 39 of Spock’s Snare

Across the table, Juliet straightens. Rush’s expression doesn’t change, but something sharp and interested appears in his eyes.

Darby stares at Puma. “You want to invest in the hotel?”

“I want access to Red Rock Construction.”

Understanding dawns slowly on her face.

Puma continues. “If your partners are ready to walk, we give them a clean way out. We take over their interest, but you remain as the primary contact. Red Rock doesn’t need to know anything has changed.”

Darby looks from Puma to Wildcard. “You want me to pretend everything is normal?”

“As normal as it can be when the contractor is deliberately bankrupting you,” Wildcard says.

Puma nods toward Spark and Juliet. “With access to your records, contracts, emails, invoices, and change orders, they can trace where the money is going. We keep Red Rock working long enough to identify everyone involved, including the people behind Canyon Crest Holdings.”

“And when they manufacture the next crisis?” Darby asks. “Because there will be one. I’m out of my depth. I don’t know if these problems are real or manufactured.”

I lean forward as the pieces begin fitting together. “I can help. I can review their reports and their change orders before you approve anything. I can help determine if the work is legitimate or a scam. I can also help you push back if necessary. I know the process just as well as they do.”

Everyone turns toward me.

I’m already thinking through what I’ll need.

“I can examine the plans, inspection reports, subcontractor invoices, and proposed corrections. If Red Rock claims there’s a code violation, I’ll verify the code. If they blame a subcontractor, we’ll find out who caused the problem. They won’t be able to keep burying unnecessary work in technical explanations and expecting you to approve it.”

A faint smile crosses Puma’s face. “That’s what I was thinking.”

Spock’s hand tightens around mine beneath the table.

“No,” he says firmly.

I turn toward him. “No?”

“You’re already in danger. Putting you directly in Red Rock’s path gives them another reason to come after you.”

“I won’t be dealing with them directly,” I counter. “I can be in the shadows. If you’re partnering with Darby, she can send everything to Spark. As far as Red Rock Construction knows, you’ve hired an independent consultant.’

“They could learn who the consultant is,” Spock argues.

“Then don’t use her name,” Juliet says. “Set up a consulting company with no obvious connection to Chloe or DC Construction. Route the files through me.”

Spark nods. “I can create enough layers to make it difficult to trace anything back to her.”

“Difficult isn’t impossible,” Spock says.

The concern in his voice softens something inside me. He isn’t trying to control me. He’s afraid.

I squeeze his hand. “I can help without ever stepping onto that property or speaking to anyone at Red Rock.”

Spock’s jaw remains tight, but he gives me a reluctant nod.

Darby looks overwhelmed. “You’re seriously offering to invest nearly a million dollars just to expose Red Rock?”

“We’re offering to buy into a viable project while taking down people who prey on others,” Puma corrects. “If the numbers work, the club gains an investment. You get the funds to finish your hotel. Your partners walk away without losing everything, and Red Rock keeps believing they have you trapped.”

“And Canyon Crest?” Darby asks.

“We let them think you’re considering their offer,” Avery says. “Make them show their hand.”