Page 80 of Under Fire in Big Sky

Dropping into a chair, Chance groaned even louder. “He made a profit off wiping out an endangered species and covered it up. That doesn’t surprise me in the least. He is not a good man. At all.”

There was bad blood between Chance and the governor, but nothing that would stop anyone on the team from doing the job of saving Arlo Forrester’s life if necessary.

“But why would Forrester help Horizon Energy?” Autumn asked. “What did he have to gain?”

“Two powerful industries in Montana control who gets elected.” Chance raked a hand through his hair. “Agriculture and mining and energy.”

“Oil and gas,” Olivia said. “Like Horizon Energy.”

Chance nodded. “They were one of his biggest donors in the last election.”

“Considering everything you shared about your conversations with Sean, his main objective was to eliminate corruption,” Eli said. “This sounds pretty corrupt.”

“And there’s no one higher up or more powerful in the state than the governor.” Olivia whipped out her secure satphone. “I’m going to call Lauren again.”

“Doesn’t she ever sleep?” Chance asked.

Olivia grinned. “No rest for the wicked.”

They listened on speaker as she went through the procedures to get her boss back on the line.

“What is it now, Kestrel?” Lauren’s tone was matter-of-fact as she called Olivia by her code name that was only used in the office. “I told you I need to consider the ramifications of your request.”

“I may not need the names of every Aegis client in the state,” Olivia said. “But I need you to confirm whether one specific person is.”

“Who?”

“Governor Arlo Forrester.” Silence was the only response on the other end of the line as they stared at each other. “Are you still there?”

“I am.”

“Is he a client?”

“He is. But you need to handle this with care,” Lauren said, her voice firm. “No mention of Osprey’s true identity under any circumstances. Allow everyone to continue calling him Shepherd. Reach out to your FBI contact. Let him take the lead in case this goes south. I don’t want any nasty blowback on Aegis. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Lauren disconnected.

Olivia set the phone down. “The next target is Governor Forrester. He’s an Aegis client and there isn’t anyone in the state more prominent or powerful.”

“Or more corrupt, apparently,” Autumn said.

“I know where he’s going to be tomorrow.” Chance glanced at his watch. “Or rather today.”

“Where?” Eli asked.

“At the Buckthorn Club.”

The place was swanky and exclusive and Chance had a membership.

Olivia’s brow furrowed. “How do you know he’ll be there later today?”

“Every year Forrester has his annual Big Sky Ag Golf Classic. It’s a one-day charity event dedicated to advancing the interests of and safeguarding the welfare of ranchers and farmers. It’s set as the Monday after Flag Day.”

“Let’s contact Trujillo, wake the others, and gear up.” Standing, Eli resisted the inclination to wince. “It’s time we finish this.”

One way or another, they had to cut off the head to kill the snake.