Page 98 of Lost Truth
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Hayden led the way out of the conference hotel where Odin Ivers was meeting, his head constantly on a swivel, scanning for any sign of danger to keep Cady safe. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from the harsh midday sun beating down on them. Across the road, he spotted the sand dune attraction the enthusiastic program director had said they might find Ivers at.
Hayden pivoted toward Cady. “We’ll take the car.”
“But the dunes are within walking distance.”
“Might only be a short hike across the highway, but I want to have a vehicle nearby in case Ivers tries anything.”
“I guess that makes sense.” She started across the large parking lot in the direction of the company SUV.
He used the remote to unlock the doors, but slipped ahead of her to open her door. She smiled her thanks and climbed in.
After the emotional reunion from the boat trip, things had remained a bit stilted between them, and he wasn’t sure what to do about it. Or if he wanted to do anything about it.
He got the air conditioning going. Even with the short drive across the road, he hoped it would cool off the vehicle.
“I don’t get why Ivers would show up here if he was planning to leave town,” Cady said.
“Maybe he had some unfinished business with the other commissioners.”
“Could be, I suppose.”
“We won’t know for sure until he tells us.Ifhe tells us.” At the highway, he waited for traffic to clear, then zoomed across to the dune buggy rental place and backed into the space closest to the front door.
He grasped his door handle, but glanced at her. “I need you to be extra careful here. Follow my lead, and no matter what, let me check things out first and don’t get ahead of me.”
“I can do that,” she said.
They exited the vehicle into blowing sand and strode toward the door where he got his first good view of the dunes. The nearest mound rose beneath the sun. Smooth, silent curves looked as if they were sculpted by unseen hands. Wind raced across the surface, sending tiny grains swirling in a golden shimmer. The world felt still—just sky and sand—but he knew a dangerous criminal lurked in the area.
Cady stared ahead at the dunes. “It’s so beautiful and awe-inspiring. Only God could’ve created something like this.”
“Agreed,” he said. “Have you ever been in a dune buggy?”
She nodded, but remained locked in place. “I’ve never rented or driven one by myself, but I’ve gone on a tour where you have like twenty people in one of those oversized ones.”
“Yeah, I’ve done that too. Not bad. But there’s nothing like being in control of your own off-road vehicle to experience more of a thrill.”
She looked up at him. “Do you think we’ll find him out here? I mean, there are three designated off-road riding areas, and the hotel concierge wasn’t sure which one he went to.”
“True,” he said. “But it makes sense that the group he’s with would go to the closest location.”
She pointed at a single-story building ahead with a flashing advertising sign on top, looking out of place in the natural landscape. “Guess there’s one way to find out if we’re in the right place.”
He nodded and closed the distance to the door. As he held it open for her, the roar of dune buggy engines on the other side of the building raised his excitement. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted out and sent his taste buds watering, but the last thing he needed right now was caffeine coursing through his body when his share of adrenaline would flow once he encountered Ivers.
Cady didn’t wait for him but marched right up to the desk, in direct opposition to his directive. He supposed he could take the reporter out of the city, but he couldn’t cancel the reporter’s curiosity.
“Hi.” She smiled at the middle-aged man with a bald patch on the back of his head behind the counter. “Could I please speak to the manager?”
“You’re looking at him. Owner and manager, Tyson Pruitt, at your service, ma’am.” He planted rough-looking hands on the counter holding boxes of brochures for attractions in the area and cast a suspicious look at her.
His wary demeanor might have put others off, but Cady smiled at him. “I’m looking for Odin Ivers. The sweet program manager at his hotel told me he was here renting dune buggies with his group of commissioners. Could you tell me if he’s rented one, and if he’s still here?”
“That depends.” Pruitt tightened his hands on the edge of the countertop. “What do you want to see him about?”
That adrenaline Hayden had expected to feel jolted through him. They were in the right place for sure. Pruitt wouldn’t ask that question if Ivers wasn’t here.
