Page 86 of Misdirection

Adriana stepped in view of the window.

She appeared to be talking with someone on the phone and pacing—though not too close to the window. But it was definitely her, and she was definitely on the phone.

“So shedidlie about leaving town,” Olive muttered. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“What now?”

“Now we need to see inside her apartment.” She paused. “Except I can’t let Adriana see me, just in case she knows who I am.”

“Then I’ll go.”

Olive hesitated before agreeing. “That’s probably our best bet, but?—”

“I’ve been trained in these things also,” Tevin reminded her.

She knew that, but Tevin was more of a behind-the-scenes guy. She worried about him.

But Olive also knew he could handle this. Besides, right now they didn’t have much of a choice.

They came up with their plan. Thankfully, they’d prepared for contingencies, and Tevin had some extra shirts in the back of the van to change into.

He did just that.

Five minutes later, he stepped from the van. He paused before closing his door and peered at Olive as if to reassure her.

“I’ll be back.”

Olive opened her door, not about to be left behind. “And I’ll be waiting in the lobby.”

“But—”

“Just in case.” She gave him a look, letting him know he shouldn’t argue because he wouldn’t win. “I want to be closer in case you need my help—closer than the van.”

His lips curled into a frown before quickly straightening. “Fine. But give me a few minutes before you come inside.”

She watched as he hurried across the street, bought some flowers from a seller near Adriana’s building, and then rushed inside.

Once he disappeared, Olive casually strolled across the street and into the building. The inside was just as sleek as the outside with polished concrete floors and shiny black tiles lining the walls of the elevator shaft, which was in the center of the lobby. Black-and-white artwork hung on the walls and a TV running news commentary murmured in the corner.

The lobby didn’t have a security desk. She was surprised Adriana didn’t live in an apartment that had that extra assurance.

But the lack of security worked to Olive’s advantage now, so she didn’t complain.

As people milled in and out of the space and a group of girlfriends had a reunion near the front door, Olive casually sat in a plush black chair and pretended to study something on her phone. Tevin should be on the fourth floor and at Adriana’s door by now.

Olive hoped—maybe even prayed—that this went well.

The seconds slowly ticked by.

The seconds turned into several minutes.

What was taking so long?

What if Adriana caught wind of what Tevin was doing? What if the woman tried to hurt him?

The thought of also losing Tevin from her life made Olive’s heart twist with pain. She didn’t want to lose anyone else. But especially not Tevin, who’d become one of her favorite people.

She’d done what she’d vowed not to do, hadn’t she? She’d let herself become attached.

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