Page 87 of Misdirection

She scolded herself.

You’ve gotta stay sharper, Olive. It’s the little cracks that cause the biggest disasters.She wasn’t sure if her father had really ever said that. But she heard his voice in her head, and the phrase seemed like something he would’ve said.

Olive checked the time every few minutes.

Finally, the elevator dinged.

A moment later, Tevin appeared from around the corner.

Relief swept through her. However, the relief was short-lived when she heard a deep voice behind her.

“What do you think you’re doing here?”

Without even turning, Olive knew exactly who it was.

Jason.

CHAPTER 37

Olive tucked her hair behind her ear as her thoughts raced.

This was the moment, the pivotal point where she had to decide whether to keep lying to Jason or to tell him the truth.

But could she trust him with the truth?

She turned toward him. “What areyoudoing here?”

“Don’t try to turn this around on me.” He glared at her. “Tell me why you’re here.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tevin veer from his course and head toward the door instead.

“I know you’re with Olive,” Jason called to him. “So you don’t have to pretend like you two don’t know each other.”

Wow . . . Jason must have been watching her for a while. How had she not noticed? She was trained to have an eye for detail.

Either she was slipping at her job or Jason was really good.

She would choose to believe Jason was really good.

Tevin paused, seemed to contemplate what to do, and then he finally paced toward them. They all knew there was no need to keep pretending.

“Somebody, please start talking.” Jason turned to Tevin. “Who are you?”

“He’s a friend,” Olive jumped in.

Jason raised his eyebrows. “A friend?”

“I asked him to help me with something.”

His stare continued to burn holes in her. “You really go all in for your job, don’t you? Getting your friends to help you as well.”

Olive shrugged, trying to look casual. “What can I say? I’m dedicated.”

“There’s more to this story than what you’re telling me.” Jason’s glare deepened. “And I’m really tired of being lied to.”

Her heart panged.

She knew what it was like to be deceived. It wasn’t fun. That wasn’t what she wanted for Jason either. But she also had to protect the integrity of the case.

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