Page 73 of Forged in Steele

Could she be Luna’s kidnapper? The height didn’t fit the woman in the video, but maybe the woman in the video wasn’t their kidnapper after all. Bristol had to suspect anyone connected to the case. And that meant she somehow had to take a picture of this woman.

It would also be good to try to transmit her suspicions to Jared. She took his hand and gave it a sharp squeeze. He responded with a very subtle nod.

“I’m Olive Wallace with Multnomah County Social Services.” The woman flashed an ID badge but stowed it in her pocket before they could take a close look.

“I’m sorry.” Bristol did her best to sound like she really was sorry. “But I didn’t see your ID before you put it away. We’re very careful who we share our information and home with. That will be even more important when we have children. I’m sure you can understand and wouldn’t mind letting me see it again.”

Olive frowned but took the ID out and held it long enough for Bristol to view. Looked legit, but anything could be forged these days, and Olive could be their kidnapper. Bristol noted the woman didn’t wear a wedding ring. Didn’t mean anything. Not all married people wore rings. And she didn’t have to be married to want a child. She looked to be in her mid-thirties and too young for her cynical expression. But then, if she worked for Holloway, she could likely be a cynical person.

“Thank you.” Jared flashed a very charming smile at the social worker and stepped back. “Please come in.”

Olive seemed to thaw at his response but gave Bristol the stink eye.

Bristol hoped she hadn’t ruined the interview, but she needed to see if Olive’s county ID was a fake. Bristol would check with a friend at Multnomah County after the interview to be sure the social worker was legit.

“I moonlight for Mr. Holloway,” she said as if she could read Bristol’s mind. “Social workers aren’t paid well enough to make ends meet. Especially with the crazy high cost of housing around here.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Jared spoke in a mellow, almost soothing tone. He was probably equally as sorry that this woman was moonlighting for the likes of Holloway.

At least Bristol was. “Where would you like to start?”

“Let’s take a tour of the home. I’ll check things off as we go.” She removed a packet of papers from the clipboard. “Of course you’ll want to childproof the house. Not necessary for an infant, but you’ll need to do it anyway and get a jump on it. Children grow so quickly.”

She handed the packet to Jared. “Directions on how to childproof.”

He glanced at it and gave a serious nod. “We’ll get right to it.”

She took a pen from her pocket and started around the room, clicking the pen when she wasn’t writing. “I’ll review my findings at the end.”

She marched into the dining area and then into the kitchen. “How long have you lived here?”

“Just a month or so,” Bristol said quickly as that was a question she could easily answer. “We wanted to move up to a bigger house for the family we hope to have.”

Olive nodded and moved on, opening a few cupboards and closing them then checking off more boxes. She stepped to the patio door located behind a round table and chairs. “Can I see the backyard next?”

Bristol and Jared had only gone outside once, and she didn’t want to fumble with the lock so she gestured for Olive to go ahead. She got the door open and stepped outside.

Still holding Jared’s hand, Bristol held him back before he followed Olive. She leaned close and whispered, “Olive could be our kidnapper. We need to take her picture to show to Nurse Raney to see if she’s the one who asked all of the questions.”

“You go out with Olive, and I’ll try to snap a shot from the doorway without arousing her suspicion.” He squeezed Bristol’s hand and dropped the packet on the countertop.

She stepped out to another sunny morning and took a moment just to breathe while Olive walked the fence line. Bristol’s hands trembled, so she shoved them in her pockets. Good thing Jared was going to take a picture. Bristol’s shaking hands would have spoiled a photo.

Bristol had often wondered what it would be like to be undercover. Her clammy hands and the tightness in her stomach said she wasn’t cut out for it. She had to ignore her nerves and do the right thing. She couldn’t mess up. Just couldn’t. Finding Luna was too important to blow this potential lead.

She crossed the yard, her heels sinking into the moist lawn. Londyn would be mad if Bristol ruined the mile-high pumps, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Nice piece of equipment and in good condition.” Olive patted the upright on the wooden play structure and stared at Bristol. “You do know this is too big for any child under the age of four?”

“It came with the house,” Bristol said, trying to come up with a suitable answer. “We’re planning to add a toddler swing but will restrict access to the rest of it. And we’ll get a smaller more age-appropriate structure too.”

Olive nodded and started for the house. “On to the bedrooms.”

She brushed past Jared, and Bristol’s phone chimed. Jared had texted the photo he’d taken of Olive. He’d added a message.Texted backup team to make sure they follow her when she leaves.

Perfect.

Bristol held her phone up to him and nodded. He started after Olive, and Bristol trailed behind for a chance to forward Olive’s photo to Teagan and ask her to show it to Nurse Raney.

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