Page 74 of Mission: Possible

"But registered to his apartment."

"That she used to live in."

"Months ago. Lexi, he might have taken the cards out in her name, especially if his credit tanked. He would know all the information about her required to pass any security checks."

"That's a shitty thing to do!" I thought about it. Lily was right. What if Zach maxed out his credit line and turned to the one person who could get him more? Only he didn't need to ask her for it. "It might explain why he kept badgering Sophie for money. He could have been scared she would find out."

We pulled into the parking lot and I spotted the big truck that Zach owned. "That's a fancy vehicle," I remarked. "I saw on his paperwork that he bought it brand new and had it all tricked out."

"He could sell it and pay off a chunk of his cards," said Lily as we hopped out.

"Except it's heavily financed. I saw the bill. He can't afford to sell it."

"Kinda stupid to buy a vehicle like that if you don't have the money to pay for it. It'll only get repossessed the moment a cash flow issue arises."

"Maybe he thought Sophie would give him the money since she hit the big time with Austen. This way," I said, leading us to the reception chalet. We stepped inside and I asked the man at the counter for Zach.

"He's just putting away the equipment now that his shift is over," he told us, glancing up from the helmets he sprayed. Muscles bulged under his Sky Outdoors t-shirt. "If you want to book a private climbing lesson, I can take down your details," he added with a cheeky wink.

"No, that's okay, thanks. Where can I find him?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't ask why.

"Over by the bungee-jumping platform. Turn right outside these doors and follow the signs. It's only a few minutes’ walk."

We thanked him and he nodded with a slight raise of his head as we walked over. A small number of people waited at the base of the platform while the woman I spoke to before handed out clipboards with sheets of paper on them. She was instructing them to fill in the survey and promised everyone hot cups of chocolate at the chalet after they finished up class.

"Hi. Vanessa?" I said, recognizing her. "I'm looking for Zach."

"He's up there," she said, pointing. She clicked her walkie-talkie. "Zach, someone wants to speak with you."

Zach leaned over the edge of the platform and looked directly at us. "I'm busy," he replied into the receiver. "I'm not coming down."

Vanessa shrugged. "You can wait," she said. "Or you can go up."

I craned my head. It looked like a long way, but I really didn't want to wait. I had a feeling Zach didn't want to talk to me and would delay as long as possible on top of the platform. I could, of course, wait for him to come down. He had to eventually but how long would that take? I already missed lunch and the thought of pizza made my stomach growl.

"Let's go up," I said to Lily. Lily raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "No way," she said. "That's a long way down and since I became a mom, I am hyper aware of my mortality."

I grabbed the first rung and began to climb. "Wait," called Vanessa. "You need to wear a harness. It's only a mini bungee platform but you still wouldn't want to fall off it. Besides, I can't let you go up without the safety harness or I'll get written up."

Dropping to the ground, I stepped into the harness she held out and she secured it to my body and then to a rope mechanism at the side of the ladder. "If you slip, you won't fall," she told me.

I climbed. Halfway up, I looked down and immediately regretted my choice. I should have waited for Zach to get bored or hungry and descend, but now I was halfway up, I had to keep going. When I got to the top of the platform, Zach hoisted me the rest of the way with a hand under my arm. Then he detached the security rope and added a new one.

"You again," he said, doing a double take. "What do you want? Did you arrest Austen yet?"

"No. I can't arrest Austen since I'm a PI, not the police."

"Right. Something to do with the insurance."

"Plus, I haven't found evidence of any wrongdoing on Austen's part."

"Course not. He's too smart for that. Not smart enough to stop doing his secretary on the side," he added.

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

Zach shrugged as he turned away, adjusting a length of rope that he coiled on the platform surface. "I don't even know when their affair started."

"Are you sure?" I glanced over the side of the railings and gulped. Lily waved but I didn't dare lift my hand. I turned back and took a deep breath. I would be on the ground soon enough.