Page 33 of Deadly Hope
He believed her, mostly. But as they headed back to join the others, he made a silent promise to keep reminding her until she believed it completely.
Izzy spun her laptop around as they entered. “Look at this pattern.” Multiple windows overlapped on the screen, financial records layered with what looked like travel documents. “The Prados’ accounts started shifting three months ago. Small amounts at first, then larger transfers.”
“Classic prep for going underground,” Kenji added. “But here’s where it gets interesting.” He highlighted a series of transactions. “These movements match known Treasury Department protocols.”
Axel felt Olivia stiffen beside him. “Treasury Department?”
“Specifically,” Zara cut in, “patterns we’ve seen in witness protection cases. The sequencing is textbook.”
“That’s impossible,” Olivia said. “Ben never mentioned—” She stopped, professional ethics warring visibly with the current situation.
Ronan leaned forward, studying the screen. “Pull up his phone records.”
Olivia started. “You can do that?”
“Not legally,” Deke muttered.
Zara grinned cheekily. “It’s only a problem if we’re caught. And I never get caught.”
She brought up a new window. “Multiple calls to a number in Virginia ... cross-referencing ... well, okay then.” She sat back. “It’s a direct line to the U.S. Marshals Service.”
The pieces clicked into place. Axel watched understanding dawn on Olivia’s face, followed quickly by relief and then something closer to embarrassment.
“We jumped to conclusions,” he said quietly. “Saw a threat because we were looking for one.”
“Prado wasn’t taken,” Kenji confirmed. “He went willingly. Part of a planned relocation.”
“Which means ...” Olivia pressed her fingers to her temples. “Which means he’s safe. And I’ve been sitting here thinking?—”
“That someone targeted him to get to you?” Axel finished. “It was a reasonable assumption, given the circumstances.”
“Was it?” She started pacing, the movement sharp and frustrated. “Or are we seeing shadows where there aren’t any? Making connections that don’t exist?”
“Hold up,” Ronan interrupted, his voice carrying the quiet authority that had made him such an effective team leader. “Let’s back this up. Why did we immediately assume your client’s disappearance was connected to your situation?”
The team fell silent, considering. Axel watched their expressions shift as they processed the question.
“Because someone’s been playing mind games,” Zara added. “The photos, the break-in, the teasing hints. Makes us jumpy.”
“Makes us see threats everywhere,” Kenji concluded. “Which means ...”
“Which means they’re succeeding,” Axel finished grimly. “Whoever’s behind this is getting in our heads. Making us react instead of attack.”
Olivia had stopped pacing, her analytical mind visibly engaging with the problem. “It’s a classic manipulation technique. Create enough uncertainty, and people start questioning everything. Their judgment gets compromised.”
“So we step back,” Ronan said firmly. “Clear our heads. Stop chasing ghosts and focus on what we know for sure.”
Axel nodded slowly. “The photos were real. The break-in was real. The surveillance is real.” He glanced at Olivia. “Someone is definitely targeting you and your practice. But maybe not as broadly as we feared.”
“Which means we can narrow our focus,” Kenji said, already turning back to his computer. “Stop looking for connections that aren’t there and concentrate on the actual evidence.”
The tension in the room shifted, became more focused, more purposeful. Axel could see Olivia’s shoulders straighten as the weight of imagined responsibility lifted.
“I should be relieved that Ben is safe,” she said quietly, almost to herself.
“You are relieved,” Axel responded. “You can be relieved and still be frustrated that we got spun up over nothing. Both things can be true.”
She met his eyes, a small smile touching her lips. “Voice of experience again?”
