Vance’s composure cracked slightly. “Because if word got out before the inspection, the whole project could be delayed. I was trying to protect your timeline, Ivy. You’ve worked so hard…”
“By compromising the structural integrity of the observation deck?” Ivy stepped closer, her voice sharp with betrayal.
“I’ve calculated the stress tolerance…”
“Stop lying.” Henry’s growl carried the authority of both ranger and bear. “We know about Porter’s variance application. We know about the pattern of incidents. What we don’t know is why you’re helping them.”
Vance’s hand trembled on the drill. “Helping who? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The development group that’s been buying up Fate Mountain properties,” Ivy said, watching his face carefully. “The ones who benefit when local businesses fail.”
Something shifted in Vance’s expression. “That’s ridiculous. I’m a local contractor. Why would I
“I trusted you. We all did. If you’re in trouble, if someone’s forcing you…”
“No one’s forcing anything!” The words burst out loudly. Then he caught himself, lowering his voice. “I’m telling you,tomorrow’s inspection will go perfectly. These windows just needed minor adjustments…”
“Minor adjustments that will cause the nature center to fail,” Henry said flatly. “Convenient timing.”
Vance’s grip on his messenger bag tightened involuntarily. “You’re connecting dots that don’t exist.”
“Porter’s variance application specifically cites safety concerns about experimental building materials,” Ivy interrupted. “Materials like these windows. If they fail tomorrow, it gives the county commissioners exactly the excuse they need.”
“You can’t prove any of this,” Vance said, but his voice had lost its conviction.
“We have the evidence,” Henry bluffed. “All connecting you to the larger pattern—the brewery contamination, the orchard fires…”
“I had nothing to do with those!” Vance’s control finally shattered. “I’m just trying to save my business! They bought my loans—all of them. One word from them and forty years of my family’s work disappears. You think I had a choice?”
The confession hung in the air, stunning in its sudden honesty. Vance’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d admitted.
“Who bought your loans?” Ivy asked gently. “Ronald, who’s behind this?”
But Vance was already backing toward the emergency exit, his face a mask of panic. “I’ve said too much. I can’t… my family…”
“We can protect you,” Henry said, moving to block his path. “Work with us. Help us stop them.”
“You don’t understand what they’re capable of,” Vance said, clutching his messenger bag like a lifeline. “The documents… I shouldn’t have… I’ve already said too much.”
In one desperate motion, he lunged for the emergency door. The alarm shrieked as he crashed through it, his figure disappearing into the darkness beyond.
“Why is he running?” Ivy asked, trying to process the sudden flight. “We could have helped him…”
Chapter
Twenty-One
The emergency alarmshrieked through the night air as Henry processed Vance’s desperate escape. Henry’s instincts locked onto one critical detail—the messenger bag Vance had clutched against his chest.
“He was terrified,” Henry said grimly. “The way he panicked when he mentioned documents tells me whatever was in that bag is something he wants to protect.”
“Or destroy.”
Their eyes met and understanding passed between them. They had a choice: wait for the backup that would arrive in response to the alarm or pursue immediately before Vance could eliminate evidence. Every second mattered.
Ivy’s chin lifted slightly. No words were needed. They moved as one toward the emergency exit, pushing through the same door Vance had fled through. The alarm’s shriek followed them outside.
They stripped quickly, their bears already pushing through. Flesh rippled into fur, human senses sharpening. Withinmoments, two massive grizzlies stood where the humans had been.
