Page 45 of Misdirection

“Did he say why he wanted to meet with you?” Jason studied Olive with so much intensity that her chest tightened.

“Not specifically. It was all kind of mysterious. But I figured his request had something to do with the fact I’m acting as the Information Security Analyst right now.”

Jason responded with only a grunt.

Olive knew he was clueless about the fact she knew just as much—if not more—than he did about what was going on at the office.

She needed to keep it that way.

However, the last thing she wanted to do was to explain this situation to the police. Ryan—if she ever found him—would never trust her again if he found that out.

As Jason called 911, Olive realized she’d need to decide what to do quickly.

CHAPTER 18

Olive had to think fast if she didn’t want to arouse any more suspicion in Jason.

“Listen,” she started as she turned toward him. “I understand you need to call the police. But I can’t be here when they arrive.”

Lines formed across his forehead. “Why not?”

“A couple of reasons. First of all, I was hired to be impartial and unbiased. Coming to an employee’s house would be out of line.”

He squinted as if skeptical. “Okay . . .”

“And secondly, I promised Ryan I wouldn’t tell a soul what was going on. If he knows I’m here—if he’s still alive—then he won’t trust me enough to tell me anything else. I need his trust if I want to find answers.”

Jason still stared at her as if cynical.

But Olive waited. She hoped with enough time he’d understand her logic.

Finally, he offered a curt nod. “Okay. I suppose I can make up an excuse as to why I’m here.”

Relief swept through her. “Thank you.”

“You’ll probably need to walk a couple of blocks over and call an Uber. That’ll be the best way not to be seen. I’d give you my car, but then the police would just ask more questions.”

“And we don’t want that.” She took a step back. “Thank you again. I’m going to get out of here.”

“I’ll need to talk to you more later. I need more details about what’s going on. There’s more that you’re not telling me.”

There Jason went again, reading her so well just like he always used to do.

Sirens sounded in the distance as she stepped out the front door. She glanced around to make sure no neighbors were looking.

They weren’t.

Then she pulled her coat closer and hurried down the sidewalk. She walked in the opposite direction of the sirens, hoping no one would see her. She’d get Tevin to find any security cameras that showed her face and edit that footage.

She didn’t need to call an Uber. She just needed to call Tevin. She had the feeling he was close anyway.

He was always good about keeping an eye on her.

When she was two blocks away, she pulled out her phone to call him. But before she could dial, his gray delivery van appeared beside her.

Tevin.

She couldn’t wait to talk things through with him.

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