Page 72 of Smokescreen

Still no one.

That left one room through a doorway at the back.

Reid gave her a look and nodded, indicating he’d go with her, just in case.

She walked to the room, still holding her gun.

As she shone her light around the space, an old bed and dresser came into view. She checked the closet and beneath the bed.

No one was there.

She slipped her gun back into her holster and then ran to Tevin. She pulled the gag from his mouth as her gaze swept over him. Blood trickled from his forehead, one eye was swollen, and he winced as he shifted.

Someone had done a number on her colleague.

Anger burned through her at the thought.

“Are you okay?” she murmured as she rested her hand on the side of his face. “I was so worried.”

“I knew you’d find me,” Tevin said, his voice raspy and dry. “You’re like a real-life Wonder Woman, right?”

“If only I had an invisible jet.” Her voice cracked, betraying her worry.

“That would be awesome, wouldn’t it? And the Lasso of Truth? They’d totally be game changers.”

Olive’s smile faded. She wished she had water to offer him, but she didn’t. Maybe Reid had some in his truck.

“I need you to tell me what happened,” Olive told him. “But first I need to call Rex before he sends the entire army out to find you. He threatened to, you know.”

“Sounds like Rex.”

She quickly dialed Rex’s number and gave him the update.

“Good work,” he told her. “Call me back and debrief me on what happened as soon as you can. For now, take care of Tevin.”

“I will.”

Reid was already on the phone, probably with Cooper giving him the update as well.

The last thing they wanted was someone else to be injured while they were looking for Tevin. These mountains were dangerous at night—even for those who knew the land and were experienced navigating it.

Olive pulled a knife from her pocket and cut the binds from around Tevin’s wrists and ankles. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just a little shaken.” He rubbed his wrists. “Have a bit of a headache. But otherwise I’m okay.”

She helped Tevin to his feet and led him to an old wooden chair in the kitchen to sit down.

“What happened?” Olive pulled a chair in front of him, sat, and studied his face, anxious to hear his story.

“I’d be more than happy to tell you. But we should get out of here first in case these guys come back.”

These guys? She didn’t like the sound of that.

“Okay, if you think you can walk,” she told Tevin. “We can save our debrief until we’re safely in Reid’s truck.”

Reid stood on one side of Tevin and Olive on the other. Tevin limped slightly as if he’d twisted his ankle—a detail he hadn’t mentioned. Olive didn’t bring it up.

Instead, she and Reid helped Tevin through the woods. As they did, Olive kept her ear attuned to any sounds that might alert her that danger was close.

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