Page 109 of Misdirection

“I’ll be right down,” she told Sonny. “Don’t try to be a hero. Just stay where you are until I get there.”

CHAPTER 48

Olive rushed downstairs to the SCI corridor, her nerves thrumming.

She had no idea what to expect when she got there. She only knew time was running out and that Jason could be in danger.

As soon as she stepped off the elevator, she spotted Sonny standing near the door behind Alex’s desk. A worried expression stretched across his aging face.

She hurried toward him. “Sonny . . . what’s going on?”

“The door is locked. But, like I told you on the phone, the silent alarm is going off inside, and Alex is nowhere to be found. What should I do?”

“I’ll check it out.” She grabbed her badge, wishing she had her gun with her, that she’d been able to slip it by security. “Keep trying to call Jason.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m afraid something’s going on, and I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either.” Olive used her badge and fingerprint to open the door. Then she stepped into the corridor.

As she did, memories of finding Beau filled her mind.

What would she find this time? Her throat tightened.

Olive scanned the hallway. Nothing she saw caused any alarm. There was no blood on the floor. She only saw the concrete floor, gray doors, white walls.

But she’d only just started to investigate.

She mentally replayed the moment she’d found Beau. Except in her replays, it wasn’t Beau she’d found dead. It was Jason. An ache began to fill her chest cavity at the thought.

She hesitated before walking to the door where the smart dust intel was stored.

She sucked in a deep breath, muttering something close to a prayer, then opened the door.

Rows of filing cabinets and a single computer greeted her—but nothing to cause alarm.

Relief started to fill her—but the feeling was cut short.

A click sounded behind her.

The hair on her neck rose.

It was the sound of a gun cocking.

Slowly, she turned.

Sonny stood there. He must have caught the door and quietly followed her into this space—just as he’d planned from the beginning.

She ground her teeth together in frustration. How could she not have seen this? She should have known better.

She’d have to scold herself later, however. Right now, Sonny aimed his gun directly at her chest.

“What are you doing, Sonny?” Her jaw stiffened as the question left her lips. Maybe this was a misunderstanding. Yet she knew it wasn’t. “Why are you pointing your gun at me?”

“I need you to get into that computer.” Sonny nodded at the device.

Her heart beat harder. “Where’s Alex?”

Change the subject. Buy time. More diversion tactics her father had taught her.

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