Page 55 of Misdirection

“If you’re asking if I think the real person who killed Beau also killed Ryan to take attention off themselves, then the answer is yes.”

Something about knowing she and Jason were on the same page brought her an unusual level of comfort. “I think we’vealready established that someone working for Conglomerate killed Beau. No one else had access to that area.”

“We have. Plus, as we already know, it would have to be someone who knew the ins and outs of our security system and how to alter that security footage in order to conceal their presence.”

“He—I’m assuming the killer is a man since most are—would need to be intimately aware of the people working here in order to target Ryan or suspect that he knew more than he should.”

“This killer would’ve also needed to know when the records clerk took breaks so he could get by him.” Jason paused and glanced at Olive. “Then again, I suppose you know that information already, and you haven’t even worked here that long.”

She shrugged off the accusation in his voice. “I just happened to wander into the area at the wrong time.”

He nodded, but something in his gaze made Olive wonder if he still suspected her.

It was impossible to say. But the thought bothered her.

Part of her wanted to confront Jason. To ask him the questions on her mind. To see how he explained that footage.

But then he’d only ask more questions about how she’d obtained the security video.

It wasn’t the right time yet.

Instead, she asked, “Do you have any suspects in mind?”

He pressed his lips together as if contemplating his answer before saying, “There’s something about Bennett that bugs me.”

“Me too. The man has shifty eyes.”

“And he’s been doing a lot of traveling out of the country lately. It’s made me wonder why. Best I can tell, he never took these international trips until a few months ago.”

“That is curious.” She stored that fact away.

Voices sounded outside in the hallway, and she and Jason froze. How would they explain their meeting if someone walked in on them?

She wasn’t sure.

She held her breath as her mind raced.

A moment later, the voices faded. Whoever had been coming was gone. They hadn’t stepped into the copy room.

She released the air from her lungs.

Her gaze wandered back to Jason. “So are you and your team going to look into Bennett?”

“Yes, we will be.” His answer came without any hesitation. Then he glanced at his watch. “I have to get downstairs and meet with the police in a minute. They want to ask me some questions about Ryan as well as other employees here.”

“Then I guess you need to go.”

“I do. But . . .” He rubbed the back of his neck.

That was one of his nervous gestures. Olive remembered it from all those years ago. It was the first time she’d seen him do that since reuniting.

He locked his gaze with hers. “Ollie, I need you to be careful. Promise me you will.”

The concern in his voice made her throat clog. It had been a long time since someone had worried about her. She didn’t think she’d be as touched as she was, but her heart stammered in her chest right now.

“I’ll be careful. But you be careful too.” She held out her pinky. “Promise?”

He stared at her crooked finger in front of him before a grin spread across his face.

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