The headline read: Billionaire beau and girlfriend split.
Billionaire beau? He focused on the guy he already couldn’t stand.
“Is that the kid who owns KT Crime Labs?” Quinn leaned over the table.
“Kid, well, he’s our age, but yeah, his dad owns it. Only child. Total asshole. Rumor is, anyway.”
“Let me see that.” Quinn snatched the cell, skimmed the column, then glanced at Owen with a devilish smirk. “Maybe she needs a shoulder to cry on.”
“Give her Crawly’s boner, then,” he snapped, with a bit too much emotion.
Laughter around the table.
Owen sipped to cool the heat rising up his neck. He felt pissed and shocked… like he really knew her or something. Like they had anything more than stolen glances. The chick was fresh off a breakup from a stuck-up billionaire brat. And if there were three things Owen wasn’t, it was pretentious, spoiled, and a billionaire.
Owen was everything Sadie’s type wasn’t.
He set his drink down as conversation about the heir of KT Crime Labs turned to a buzzing chatter in his ears.
Maybe the flirty glances had meant nothing.
Maybe he was seeing things that weren’t there.
Maybe Dr. Sadie Hart had no interest in him whatsoever.
He turned the sweating glass in between his fingers and pushed the twinge of disappointment aside.
Maybe that was for the best, because if the skeleton found in Crypts Cavern did belong to his uncle, Owen was going to spend every spare second looking for his uncle’s killer, and the last thing he needed was a gold-digging acrophobic to distract him.
Chapter 11
Wine.
She needed wine.
Sadie latched the door to the camper, and with the poor balance reflecting a day of manual labor and emotional toil, she shakily removed her ATAC boots which were covered in dirt, mud, some sort of black grime, and so much bat crap she’d considered tossing them into the ravine.
Careful to not transfer any of the nasty goo, she swiped the hair out of her face with the back of her hand and glanced at the clock—7:24 p.m.
Yes, definitely time for wine.
It was past six-thirty by the time they’d bagged up the bones and made it out of the cave—a task that should have taken half the time if not for the fact there was some obstacle to climb over, squeeze through, or slide under every step of the way… all while carrying a human skeleton. Griffin had left to take the bones to the crime lab, and insisted on coming back to stay overnight and help with the search for more bones tomorrow. He promised to be back by nine, with plenty of food to cook a, quote, “good ol’ campfire dinner.” She’d helped Kimi set up her tent, who had insisted on camping regardless of the dead teenage boy found yards away and haunted cavern. The girl was serious about her winning her bets. Sadie had to respect that.
As promised by Crawly, a rope bridge had been secured across the ravine, helping to decrease her panic level by about two percent.
She’d take it.
It had been a day filled with bumps, bruises, and unexpected challenges, and now, after the hike back to the clearing where they had to leave the camper, Sadie was officially exhausted.
After washing her hands, wrists, and forearms to the extent of a doctor going into surgery, she pulled a plastic cup from the cabinet and grabbed a box of red from her bag. Box traveled easier than bottle.
What. A. Day.
Her laptop dinged in the corner. She released a groan, fighting the urge to check it. If it was work, it could wait five damn minutes, or at least until her buzz kicked in. If it was someone else—another damn person—emailing her about her public break-up, well, they could wait until she was very, very drunk.
Her billionaire beau.
She snorted, shook her head.
To say it shocked her that her relationship had made the local news was an understatement. Although, the grandeur of it fit right in with the short, fleeting relationship she’d had with the KT Lab’s owner’s eccentric son.
She’d never forget the day he’d asked her out, four months earlier.
She’d just come in from the body farm, covered head-to-toe in dirt, and was making her way to the lab where she could spend the afternoon resurrecting cold cases from the dead.
Enter Evan Tedrick, his rich father, and four suits with matching Rolexes, walking down the hall like a firing squad blocking her pass. She’d avoided eye contact with a subtle nod, then slipped into the lab where moments later Evan had appeared with a smile and a charming charisma that awakened every sensor—and red flag—in her body, and two tickets to an exclusive art auction that drew the wealthiest from across the south.
She should have known right then.
She’d said yes—out of curiosity more than anything else—beginning a courtship filled with charity events, art shows, and exclusive dinners. She’d maxed out her credit card the first month buying cocktail dresses and heels she’d never wear again. She should have known she’d never fit into that world.
Sadie grew up in a family where her next meal depended on how many food stamps were available, daydreaming what it was like to have money. Not just billionaire money, but enough to not have to worry about pesky things like food and medical bills. An only child to a construction worker and teacher, Sadie learned very early that if she was going to have anything worth having, she was going to have to get it herself. And so she did.
Sadie had started working when she was just fourteen, helping her father on construction sites for a few bucks a month. She got her hands dirty and learned the satisfaction—along with backbreaking pain—that came from a full day working in the hot southern sun. She liked it. Liked working outside. Liked hard work.
But it wasn’t until the day that a backhoe dug up the skull of what turned out to be a fifteen-year-old girl who’d gone missing years earlier that Sadie knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. Sadie became immersed in the story of the girl, and how the bones unraveled clues that led to finding the girl’s killer—a homeless man who frequented the area before the land was sold. She’d even gone to the funeral, hiding in the back while watching as the family finally received the closure they’d so desperately needed.
It had touched her in a way she couldn’t explain. The little girl had received the justice she deserved, while the family was finally able to lay their child’s body to rest.
This new passion gave Sadie something solid to work for, a focus that didn’t involve trying to drown out her parents’ daily arguments about money. And when her mom and dad divorced when she was seventeen, Sadie’s singular focus became a pursuit in forensic anthropology.
That focus paid off for Sadie, especially when she started working at KT Crime Labs.
And then she went and slept with the damn owner’s son.
She’d tried—really tried—to fit into his world, but the truth was, Evan Tedrick was everything Sadie Hart wasn’t. He was rich, entitled, sheltered, and one smooth operator when it came to women. Evan had swept her off her feet from date one, giving her glimpses into a life she’d only dreamed about as a child. But unfortunately, all the money in the word couldn’t change one more thing Evan was—mind-numbingly pretentious.
Almost four months to the day of their first date, Sadie had broken up with Evan in the middle of the body farm after a heated argument about her not wanting to attend another awkward, suffocating, small-talk-laden, hoity-toity benefit with him.
It should surprise her that the blogs reported that he broke up with her, but it didn’t. That kind of money could buy any headline it wanted.
It could also buy a slew of reasons to fire someone.
She was crazy to think her days at KT Labs weren’t numbered.
The thought sent her stomach dipping.
She took a deep gulp of wine, grabbed her laptop and decided to do the one thing that took her mind away from everything else. Work.
Two plastic cups later, Sadie glanced out
the window at an orange light flicking through the trees in the distance. Her gaze shifted to her SUV parked under a tree. Griffin had made it back.
Dinner time.
She took another quick sip—the buzz giving her a much-needed burst of energy—then pulled on a clean pair of jeans, sweatshirt, and jogging shoes before stepping out of the camper, into the crisp autumn air.
Night had fallen. The woods were abuzz with chirping bugs, screaming cicadas, and the rustling of whatever animal was making their last rounds before nightfall. Or, perhaps, whatever animal was just beginning their evening hunt.
The thought made her uneasy as she clicked on her flashlight. She knew bears were common in the area, but had also heard stories of mountain lions, and aggressive coyotes—none of which she cared to come into contact with this evening.
The stars twinkled around a rising full moon shining through the thick canopy of trees. A breeze swept past her as she stepped onto the trail, wine in one hand, flashlight in the other, and the satellite phone tucked in her back pocket.
She blinked, allowing her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Her stomach tickled as her boots crunched along the dead leaves, each step taking her closer and closer to that damn ravine.
Her lip curled into a snarl, aggravated at herself for allowing a stupid fear to add to such a shit day. A quick pause, sip, then she picked up her pace, striding down the trail to the bridge. Griffin’s voice followed by Kimi’s laughter floated through the air as she gripped the rope railing. Her legs instantly feeling heavy, her knees weak.
Geez, Sadie. Get a freaking grip.
Another sip, and with her jaw clenched, Sadie stepped onto the bridge.
One foot in front of the other, one foot in front of the other…
Forcing her legs to move, anger spit like fire through her body as she pushed on, every step defiant at the fear coursing through her body.
If I fall, I fall. Admitting the worst-case scenario eased her. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about losing her job anymore.
If I fall, I fall. Nothing I can do about it.
She repeated the mantra over and over until she crossed over onto the jagged rock that marked the other side of the cliff.
Thank God.
With that little victory, she walked down the trail, a bit lighter on her feet.
“Hey, Sade!”
Holding a can of beer and fire poker, Griffin pushed out of his folding chair next to a roaring campfire. A cooler and grocery bags littered the ground. He’d set up the campfire on a large flat rock a few yards from the mouth of Crypts Cavern. Dead leaves covered the ground, the moonlight reflecting off the rocks.
“Nice work on the fire.”
“Thanks. Made a nice little pit in a crevice in the rocks. How do burgers sound?”
“Like freaking heaven.” A self-proclaimed foodie, Sadie always could count on Griffin to get the food during late-night meetings, or to handle the cooking on overnight trips. He treated his food like he treated his women—passionate and open to experimentation.
“I’m going to make the Sadie Special—Swiss, bacon, topped with avocado.” He turned and yelled over his shoulder. “As soon as slow-poke gets done setting up, I’ll get started.”
Sadie glanced back at Kimi, who was encircled in flashlights, unpacking her bag. Griffin’s bright red tent sat a short distance away, nestled between two massive pine trees.
“You guys are really going to sleep out here?”
Griffin looked up like she was crazy. “A bet’s a bet.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Some kid caught some stray bullets by a drunk hunter. Not going to happen in the nighttime. Besides, I’m pretty sure Kimi’ll wuss out, anyway.”
Kimi walked up wearing a pair of tattered jeans, T-shirt, and a flannel jacket. “I’m not in the habit of backing down to boys.”
“Boys?” Griffin pulled the poker from the fire and shot a look over his shoulder. “Who’re you calling a boy?”
Kimi grinned and sank into a bright yellow folding chair.
Griffin tossed her a beer and turned back to the fire.
“There’s more than enough room in the camper, guys. Really.”
“I’m good. I’ve got bear spray—and garlic strung up in my tent.”
Sadie forced a laugh although the idea of her team sleeping out in the open made her uneasy, to say the least. “Well, I’ll leave the SAT cell with Griffin, then.”
Griffin tipped up his can before taking a sip. “So… how’re you doing?”
“Just peachy.” She tilted her head back and looked up at the dark sky.
“No you’re not.”
Kimi popped open her beer. “Guy’s an ass. Always thought you were too good for him, anyway.”
“I’m too good for a billionaire heir?” Sadie’s smirk didn’t reach her eyes.
“Hey, money’s not everything.” A touch of defensiveness colored Griffin’s tone. “And yeah, too good for that stuck up brat. Always got the vibe he looked down his little pointy nose at us, ya know?”
“Everyone looks down their nose at you.” Kimi grinned.
“Oh, well, look who doesn’t get dinner tonight.”
Sadie smiled, watching them. It reminded her of two elementary kids with their first crushes. Innocent insults and slaps on the shoulders were as golden as a dozen roses.
“Speaking of, I’m starving, get moving.” Kimi winked at Griffin as he huffed out a breath and began meal prep. She shifted her attention to Sadie. “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?”
Sadie sank into a chair. “I’m going to do another sweep of the Anarchy room, while you guys search the cave for any more bones. We’ll start at daybreak, and if all goes well, we’ll be out before the afternoon.”
“That’s good cause I think rain’s coming tomorrow.” That was the thing about changing seasons in the Ozarks—the weather was as unpredictable as the roads. “Perez said he’ll start on the bones first thing in the morning, but if I know him, he’ll get to it tonight.” Griffin shook salt and pepper on the patties. “You know him, that guy’s been known to never leave the lab.”
“That’s what happens when your wife leaves you for another woman. Guy buries himself in work. Hell, I don’t blame him.”
“Well, workaholic or not, I hope he gets us an ID ASAP.”
“So, your initial read is kerf marks on the ribs, right?” Kimi asked.
Sadie nodded.
“So our dude gets shanked in the cave, dies, but the question I have is this: who waited until the guy decomposed into bare bones to use them as an art project?”
“Someone who didn’t like him very much. My guess is, someone who frequents the caves.”
“Or…” Griffin wiggled his eyebrows and glanced at Kimi. “The ghosts of Atohi’s past did it.”
“Oh, give me a freaking break. Stop talking about that damn ghost.”
His eyebrows tipped up. “Hitting a nerve there? What? Don’t believe in souls of spirits, the undead, goblins, witches, vampires, ghouls—”
Crack.
Their heads whipped toward the cave.
“What was that,” Kimi whispered as Griffin dipped down and grabbed the bear spray.
“Atohi,” Griffin whispered back with a grin. “He’s pissed you don’t believe in him.”
“Shhh.” Sadie picked up her flashlight as they sat in silence.
“Probably just a squirrel or coon,” Kimi said softly, still staring into the inky darkness that surrounded them.
Another moment passed.
“It is kind of creepy out here isn’t it?” Griffin said, his eyes locked on Kimi, whose gaze was fixed on the cave.
They waited in silence a good minute to make sure whatever critter made the sound was long gone. Sadie shook her head. “You guys are crazy for staying out here.”
Griffin nudged Kimi, tearing her gaze away from the cave. “I’ll back out if you’re too scared.”
“Please. A bet’s a bet. I’m
not scared.”
“Since when did you become such a badass?”
“Since I watched Sadie make her way down that ravine.” Kimi winked.
Griffin lifted a brow. “Oh, no, no, no, Miss Sadie here was only as strong as the man who helped her down.”
“Hey.” Kimi swatted his arm as Sadie threw an empty beer can at him.
Griffin blocked the blows and laughed. “I’m just joking.”
“You know, Griff,” a devilish grin crossed Sadie’s face. “I think I left something in the cave, you know, right past that suuuuuper narrow pathway that you can barely squeeze through? Can you go grab it for me?”
He glared back.
Sadie chuckled.
Kimi, who’d picked up on Griffin’s claustrophobia, laughed. “What a group we are. Motion sickness, fear of heights, and claustrophobia. If the guys come back tomorrow, they’ll have their hands full.”
“According to the sheriff, the SAR guys, Aaron and Kyle, will be here first thing in the morning to help us through the cave again. There and back. I don’t know about everyone else.” And wasn’t about to admit how many times she’d wondered the exact thing.
“Ah hell, I’ve got no doubt the sheriff will be here, too. Guy hung onto your every word Sadie—although I’m not sure if it was because of your area of expertise or your bra size.”
Griffin shook his head. “No, if anyone was interested in her bra size, it was Owen. Guy wouldn’t leave your side.”
Her stomach clenched. She sipped, and deflected. “Owen wouldn’t leave my side because he was afraid I’d lock up like a total idiot on that ravine.”
“No, I saw him watching you a few times. More than a few times.” Kimi winked.
Sadie rolled her eyes, then looked down and shifted in her seat.
Truth was, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to see the sizzling-hot rescue swimmer again. Truth was, she was embarrassed. And Sadie Hart did not do embarrassment well. Sadie wanted nothing more than to start over fresh tomorrow, confident, on-her-game. The real Sadie.
The Cave Page 12
