Page 104 of Deception

No . . . !

Olive quickly ducked behind a bush before the woman saw her.

None of this was supposed to be so complicated. The whole investigation was supposed to be a simple in-and-out assignment.

Yet at every turn she faced a new obstacle.

Olive crouched lower behind the bush, the leaves tickling her face. She didn’t care. She couldn’t let Georgina see her.

The woman paused and called hello to Matt and Rebecca.

Olive’s heart thumped harder as she waited.

If Georgina decided to walk across the lawn to talk to them, she woulddefinitelysee Olive. Or if Matt and Rebecca decided to meet Georgina halfway, they woulddefinitelyspot Olive.

Neither scenario was good.

Making an impulsive decision, Olive grabbed her phone and dialed Georgina’s number.

Then she watched.

The woman stepped toward the sidewalk as if heading to meet her neighbors.

Then she paused.

Olive’s heart pounded in her ears.

The next moment, Georgina turned and headed back inside to answer the call.

Relief swept through her.

Still, she would have to be careful.

She ended the call. If Georgina called back, Olive would apologize and tell her the call was accidental.

She peered around the corner again.

Rebecca and Matt had gone inside.

Wasting no more time, Olive darted toward Jason’s Range Rover.

This excursion had been too close for comfort.

CHAPTER 55

Jason pulled away from the curb as soon as Olive was in the vehicle.

“That was a close one,” Jason muttered, quickly looking her over.

“Tell me about it.” Olive leaned back in her seat, trying to catch her breath. Her adrenaline had really been pumping. “You didn’t recognize the guy who went into the house?”

“Never seen him. You?”

“I didn’t get a good look at his face. How about his vehicle?”

“He parked behind me, farther down the street. I almost got out to check his plates, but I didn’t want to take my eyes off the house in case you needed help.”

“I appreciate that.” She held back a frown. “It’s weird, Jason. That guy went into Willow’s room.”

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