Page 28 of August’s Cowboy Braxton

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"You're not going to tell me why it's a bad idea?"

"It's a terrible idea. Someone is escalating. Has access to your new number. Was inside the community center tonight and watched us while we were there." I held her gaze. "But it's your life. Your choice. Your risk to take."

"And you'll help me?"

“Hell, I’ll stand right next to you while you do it. Keep you as safe as I can without taking over. And trust that you know what you're capable of."

She let out a slow exhale. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah." She reached for the door handle. "Let's go inside. We need a plan."

We spread everything out on the kitchen table. Addison's calendar. A list of suspects. My notes on everyone who had access to her equipment and information.

"We’ll set a canary trap," I said.

"What's that?"

"Give different false information to different people. See which version comes back as a threat."

Addison leaned forward. "Like what?"

"Tell Ruby you'll be staying with Morgan tonight. Tell Orville you're here at the ranch. Tell that photographer—what's his name?"

"Kyle."

"Tell Kyle you'll be rehearsing privately in the arena." I tapped the table. "Give each person a unique piece of information. Wait and see which one shows up in the next message."

"What about Evie?"

The question hung between us.

"You think it's her."

"I think she has access and motive. And she was in the community center tonight when the album went missing." I intentionally made my voice go softer. "I also think she's taught you for years to perform through fear and not trust your instincts."

Addison's jaw tightened. "She's been my mentor from the beginning."

"I know."

"She believed in me when nobody else did."

"I know that too."

"So what do I tell her?"

I held her gaze. "Something nobody else hears. Something specific enough to prove she's the leak if it shows up in a threat."

Addison thought for a moment. "The stock office behind the main arena. I could tell her I heard there’s a copy of the missing album in storage there. I could tell her I'm going in tomorrow night to look for it."

"Perfect."

"And if the threat mentions the other album…”