Page 83 of Misdirection

Olive smiled again. Tevin always made her smile with his easygoing manner. It was impossible for people not to like him. She’d tried.

She ended the call and continued toward her apartment.

The answers were close. She could feel them.

Now she needed to find them before time ran out.

CHAPTER 35

EIGHT YEARS AGO

“You going to be okay?”

Olive looked up at Tom as he stood behind the stage with her.

Today was her family’s funeral.

Four caskets had been placed at the front of the church.

Last time she’d glanced out, the sanctuary was full, and people were standing in the back and in the church lobby. The entire congregation from the community church appeared to be here as well as children, parents, and teachers from the local school her sisters had attended. Even the mayor was here.

Olive had also seen the police chief and some officers.

Did he think the killer might be here?

Her stomach recoiled at the thought.

“Olive?” Tom repeated.

She looked up at him.

The man had been so kind to her since he stepped into the investigation. He’d been patient, compassionate, and made her feel like she wasn’t totally alone in the world.

She was still surprised the FBI had been called in. But Tom had explained that the local police had asked for their help.

The small town of Galax was used to handling speeding tickets and neighborhood brawls.

Not brutal murders like that of her family.

It had been a week since they’d died. Someone—Olive couldn’t remember who now—had told her that it took longer for the bodies to be released because of the manner of death.

That was fine with her. She was in no hurry to go through this funeral. She would skip it altogether if she could.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to honor the lives of her mom, dad, and sisters.

It was just that this whole thing was so painful it seemed impossible to get through.

And Olive felt so alone.

Sure, she’d made a few friends at church and school. But they weren’t real friends.

It wasn’t all the fault of other people either. Olive had learned not to get too close, so she hadn’t.

Over the past few days, she wanted to talk to Jason more than anything.

She’d even tried calling a couple of times. But his number no longer worked.

Why was that? She had no idea.

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