Page 11 of Deception

One case in particular stood out in Olive’s mind—a case they’d investigated involving a fourteen-year-old girl who’d gone to meet a guy she thought was a fifteen-year-old boy. She’d actually met a fifty-year-old predator.

They’d rescued the teen, but that case had stuck in Olive’s mind. It could have ended so differently.

Nova’s dating life wasn’t any of Olive’s business, and she didn’t ask.

After Nova said goodbye, Olive walked back down the sidewalk, trying to appear as if she were merely taking a casual stroll.

She was actually looking for that photographer.

But she didn’t see him, nor did she spot any motorcycles stashed anywhere.

Olive nibbled on her bottom lip.

Shewouldfigure out who that man was, she vowed.

After walking several blocks and seeing nothing, she finally started back toward her car.

But as Olive headed toward the small lot where she’d parked, she paused.

Rebecca stood next to a dark-green Mercedes, talking to someone inside.

Whatever their conversation was about, it looked heated as Rebecca’s arms flew in the air and all her sweetness disappeared.

CHAPTER 6

Olive took a step back and listened.

“I don’t know why you felt the urge to track me down here.” Rebecca snapped at the person inside the car. “I’ve talked to you about this before.”

“Then you should return my phone calls.”

“I don’t return your phone calls because I don’t want to talk to you.” Rebecca’s back was ramrod straight and her jaw set with anger.

Sweetheart Rebecca was gone, and in her place was Assertive Angry Rebecca.

The man lowered his voice and said something Olive couldn’t make out.

Rebecca threw her hands in the air again and stepped back, clearly frustrated.

The car suddenly pulled away, and Rebecca jerked back as if fearing her toes might be run over. She muttered something under her breath and shook her head.

Then Rebecca glanced over her shoulder. Before Olive could hide, Rebecca spotted her.

The woman’s cheeks reddened, and she pushed a hair behind her ear.

There was no need for Olive to pretend she hadn’t seen the conversation.

Instead, she stepped toward Rebecca just as Rebecca stepped toward her.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Rebecca started, an apologetic look on her downturned lips and misty gaze.

“I wasn’t following you. I promise. I parked over there.” Olive nodded toward the black Jeep Wrangler she’d rented. “Is . . . is everything okay?”

“It’s fine.” She waved her hand as if making light of the situation. “That’s my cousin, and I swear he’s been difficult since the day he was born.”

“We all have relatives like that.”

Rebecca glanced in the distance before saying, “He just likes things his way, you know? He wants to live big without working for anything. In fact, he came here to ask me for money. I’m afraid he’s going to use anything I give him for drugs.”

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