Page 23 of Misdirection

“Wife?” She asked the question even though she didn’t see a ring on his finger. However, many in law enforcement didn’t wear wedding rings as a safety precaution.

“Girlfriend. Adriana.”

Was that a touch of relief that had rushed through Olive? No, it couldn’t be. Why would she feel relieved? It wasn’t like she was gunning for Jason’s affection.

She cleared her thoughts. “How long have you two been dating?”

“Three months.”

“Good for you.”

“How about you?” Jason scrutinized her with his gaze. “You single? Dating?”

Olive shook her head. “No, my job requires me to move too much. It’s easier to remain unattached.”

Another strange emotion crossed through Jason’s eyes, almost as if he didn’t agree with her words. Or maybe he thought he knew her better than he did. Maybe he remembered the conversations they’d once had about spending forever together.

Back then, forever and a normal life had seemed like a real possibility.

Not any longer.

He shifted in his seat, signaling an end to the conversation. “Thank you for meeting with me. I’m still trying to sort out what you told me. I can’t even begin to fathom why your father would tell my mom you were pregnant and ask for money if you weren’t.”

Olive shook her head. She had no idea either. And if Jason’s mom really had given her dad twenty thousand dollars, what happened to that money? Her parents’ bank account had been in the negative when they died. Yet they weren’t big spenders. They didn’t take extravagant trips or buy expensive cars.

She’d have to sort through that later.

“I wish I had an answer to give you,” she finally said. “But I don’t. It doesn’t make any sense to me either.”

Had that somehow been a part of her father’s assignment while they were in Texas? But what might extorting Jason’s family have to do with an assignment?

“I’d really like to talk to your father . . .” Jason’s voice contained an almost threatening tone.

“I wish you could . . . but—he’s dead, Jason. You won’t get any answers from him. Neither will I.”

His jaw twitched. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah . . .” She didn’t know what else to say.

“Part of me . . .” Jason paused as if trying to find his words. Then he let out an airy laugh before running a hand over his face. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but part of me liked the idea that I had a child out there somewhere. I guess I’m a little disappointed that this person I thought existed doesn’t. I imagined what it would be like when I found him or her one day.”

Emotion clogged Olive’s throat as she realized how Jason must have felt.

What her father had done was horrible.

For now, she pushed any emotion down. She had to stay focused. “I’m sorry, Jason. I don’t know what to say.”

“I know you don’t. Thank you for meeting with me, and I’m sorry I was gruff with you. I just thought . . .”

Against her better instincts, Olive reached forward and squeezed his forearm. “Don’t worry about it.”

She pulled her hand away, reminding herself not to touch him. She had to keep boundaries. Plus, he had a girlfriend. Even if everything else in this situation was normal and they had the opportunity to reconnect, doing so wasnota possibility.

“Now get back to work,” she told him. “I know you have a lot to do.”

He stood. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

Was that regret in his voice? Dread?

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