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I turned the corner and dashed down the hall. Spotting the door, I opened it and was confronted by someone on the hotel’s security team in front of a black curtain. She glanced at my badge and waved me through the opening. Having not been back there, I was at a loss as to where Jonesy might be.

There was a flurry of activity among the production staff amidst organized chaos. Music came from the ballroom, with voices testing the audio levels. I passed racks of gowns, costumes, and satin sashes worn by the contestants. Two ladies were having their hair done on one side, hairspray fogging the area. Across from them were the makeup stations. Jonesy was at the last one, helping a young lady out of his makeup chair, offering a hand. Once she headed in my direction, Jonesy noticed me, and his smile immediately turned into a scowl.

Shit, I knew I should have waited for one of the agents to return to the command post, and Jonesy’s face told me it would have been the smarter thing to do.

41

JONESY

What the actual fuck is he doing back here? I thought as he stared at me from thirty feet away. He gave me a slight grimace, telling me he knew he shouldn’t have come looking for me. I motioned for him to come over to me.

Megan, who had been working next to me most of the day, noticed our interaction. “Friend of yours?” she asked with a smirk and a wink.

“You could say that,” I replied with a huff and a cocked wrist.

Once Craig got to me, I turned our backs to the ladies at the other stations. “What the hell are you doing here?” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder. “And keep your voice down.”

Before he could answer, Sean’s voice was in my ear and blurted out, “What the hell?” I ignored him while I waited for Craig to answer. I was sure Sean had picked him up on my hidden camera.

“I was in the command post… and I saw him. Oliver. He’s in the administrative offices behind the registration counter in the lobby. And he’s with Landon.”

I must have looked like a deer in headlights after his explanation, and he nodded with wide eyes, seeing that I understood what he’d said. That was huge, but I needed to know more. I took his elbow and rushed him away from the makeup area. When we found a secluded spot behind the stage backdrop, I asked him, “Why didn’t you just call over the mic from the command post to let us know?”

“Because I was the only one in the fucking command post. Both agents had stepped out, and I didn’t know how to make the mic work,” he explained, trying to keep his voice down.

I wanted to scrub my face; which wouldn’t be wise with makeup on. “Fucking agents. If you’re seen by Oliver or the sheriff, it could tip them off. They may not even know that you’re still alive.”

“I know that, but I thought telling you would be worth the risk.”

“And you’re sure it was Oliver?”

“Positive. He hasn’t changed much from a few years ago. We know he’s pretending to be this fucking Sheffield guy from Lake Tahoe. I’m pretty sure they're here to procure another contestant or two.”

“I know Sami is around somewhere. Maybe they’re going to try something today,” I muttered, almost to myself.

“Oh… and speaking of Sami, there was some argument going on between him and Landon in front of the office they’d been in. I watched Sami enter the office before Landon pulled him out. That’s when Oliver made an appearance and barked at both of them. Sami darted off, and Landon followed Oliver back into the office, closing the door behind them.”

“Okay, so we have three suspects here at the hotel. There’s still Luca and Boris, though,” I said. I then turned my question to Sean, who’d probably been listening to our conversation. “Sean… did you get all that?”

“Ten-four. Three suspects on the property. I’ll let the teams know.”

“We need to get them all at once. We don’t want to scare any of them off. I’m sure Sami would be the first to run if confronted, and we don’t want him tipping off the other two.”

“Ya know, maybe Luca and Boris are with the two abducted women, wherever they’re holed up,” Craig said.

“Yeah, perhaps. It’s getting these guys to talk once we take them down,” I replied. I heard Sean agree.

“Sean, tell the teams what we know but to keep their eyes open and not approach any of the three until we have a clear plan.”

“You got it, partner,” he replied. I heard him give the orders through my earpiece as I looked at Craig,

“I’m not happy about you seeking me out, but thanks for the information, Howler. It helps. Those FBI guys in the command post are going to be reamed new assholes for leaving you alone once I report them.”

Craig snickered. “And without lube, either.” He smiled at me, and it was all I could do not to lean down and kiss him. As frustrating as he could be, he had moments of humor.

“How are you feeling? I mean, your ribs and head?” I asked.

“Right now, great. I’m amped up with what I saw.”