Page 71 of Hard Knock Hero

Owen joined the call first. It looked like he was in his office at the sheriff’s department. He had his uniform back on after going plainclothes last night. “Morning, Jessi,” he said. “Was the rest of your night uneventful?”

I glanced at my brother. “Mostly.” I introduced Owen to the real Trace Novo. Trace barely said two words, and Owen just looked wary. “And Scarlett’s here, too,” I added. She waved a hello. I wanted all of them in on this. I trusted every single one of these people, and I had nothing to hide from any of them.

Then Jake jumped onto the video call. “So you’re Jessi,” Jake said with a bright, lopsided smile. “I wish I could say Aiden had told me all about you, but then he wouldn’t be my brother, would he?”

“Is it true that Aiden didn’t tell you he was in Colorado until he called you asking about the surveillance drone?” I said.

Jake laughed. “I’m supposed to see him over the weekend in Steamboat, but I’d had no idea he was already in the mountains. Or that he was having such an adventure. Good thing we didn’t need anyone to man a barbecue. That’s usually Aiden’s domain.”

“My roommates know better than to go near my grill,” Aiden grumbled.

“Trust me, nobody would dare.” Jake crossed his arms over his broad chest, where the word ARMY was emblazoned on his T-shirt. “Tell me what you found last night with Shonda. She offered to send me a copy of what her drone recorded, but I didn’t want to create more of an electronic trail. This is my private number, not my DEA phone, since you asked to keep this unofficial. Trying to hold up my end of that.”

Aiden, Owen and I recounted what we’d learned and seen. The picture on Aiden’s phone switched back and forth between whoever was talking. Trace got up from his stool and wandered closer, seeming to be absorbed in the conversation though he still hadn’t said more than a brief hello.

I kept studying Aiden. The strong line of his jaw and his calloused fingers stroking my wrist beneath the table. The warmth and solidity of his body as we sat there together.

At first glance, Jake looked nothing like Aiden. The older Shelborne brother had dark-blond hair and vivid green eyes. His demeanor was easygoing and friendly, yet also commanding. He had a Captain America vibe. He didn’t have anywhere near the intensity that Aiden did, though they both looked like they could bench press two of me.

But as we spoke, I saw hints of Aiden in his brother. Small twitches of Jake’s mouth and the way he narrowed his eyes, his gaze clever and even devious. I had the feeling that both Shelborne men showed the world only what they wished, and most of their true selves they kept underneath.

Jake tapped his chin. “Given the heat you saw on the infrared camera, it does suggest they’re processing drugs of some kind.”

“They were using something flammable in metal canisters,” Owen said. “And also liquid nitrogen.”

Scarlett’s eyes widened as she listened.

“I’m curious,” Jake said. “Jessi and Aiden, did you smell anything when you were up on Refuge Mountain? If they’re processing some kind of marijuana product, the scent would be a giveaway.”

I shook my head and looked over at Aiden.

“I didn’t smell anything,” he said. “But it was cold. And I’m pretty sure the cave-in happened downhill from where we were standing once we reached that side of the mountain. The heat would rise, along with the scent, but the cold air also could’ve kept it down.”

“But marijuana is legal in Colorado,” I pointed out. “Why would they go to so much trouble?”

“It’s legal when all the proper procedures and regulations are followed,” Jake explained. “But there’s a very active black market. I’m sure Sheriff Douglas knows all about that.”

Owen nodded. “Sure. There’s particularly a black market for shipping out of state.”

“Illegal marijuana farms are a big problem on federal land,” Jake went on. “I’ve never seen this kind of processing going on in a national forest, but I can’t say I’m surprised either. If they’re processing marijuana into a concentrate, they’d be using flammable solvents and liquid nitrogen both. The end product could be an oil, or a grainy form that resembles wet sand. There are also thin sheets known as shatter. Those concentrated forms are far easier to transport.”

I leaned my elbows on the tabletop. “They’re probably using Hart-Made’s shipping warehouse to pack up and distribute whatever they’re making.”

Scarlett’s mouth dropped open. “That is despicable. Somebody’s got to tell Sawyer. Unless…do you think he knows?”

I shrugged. I had no idea what to tell her. Sawyer was her boss, and she was a Hart-Made employee. It had to be awful to hear the company was being used for something illegal. I had no clue how much Sawyer knew about Dale’s schemes.

“This is exactly the kind of thing the DEA investigates,” Jake said, “since it could involve the drug trade over state lines. But you’re going to need a lot more evidence to get wire taps or search warrants. Evidence of what it is that they’re processing and proof that the warehouse is shipping out something illegally.”

Owen chimed in. “But I don’t have the manpower to devote to that level of surveillance. I guess I could try to follow one of the shipping trucks as it leaves the warehouse, wait for them to make a traffic violation, but—” Suddenly, Owen looked away, listening to the voice of someone who’d just stepped into his office. His hand partially covered his phone.

“I’ll be right there,” Owen said.

Then we heard a door close, and Owen’s face reappeared in the camera frame. “I need to go. Something else just came up.”

Aiden and I exchanged a glance.

Owen signed off. Not long after, Jake said goodbye too. We all promised to talk again soon and share any updates.

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