Misdirection (Pros and Cons Mysteries #1)

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

O live stood near the park bench where Ryan had told her to meet him.

It was cold outside, and she wasn’t sure her coat was sufficient for the weather. But she’d push through. After all, Chicago was known as the windy city. The breeze came off Lake Michigan and funneled through the tall buildings, making the cold feel even colder.

She glanced at the people milling about. Many were businessmen and women who’d gotten off work and were now hurrying to their cars or to dinner. Some were tourists exploring the area and anxious to see the famous “Bean” nearby.

Chicago was the third largest city in the US, boasting nearly three million residents. It had eight major sports teams, two hundred theaters, and seventy-four music festivals.

The average wind speed here was ten miles an hour, and the windiest month was January—in other words, right now.

This was only Olive’s second time in Chicago. She and her college friends had come up here once for an Ed Sheeran concert and enjoyed exploring for the weekend.

Despite the rising crime rate, the city was nice enough. But Olive had never been much of an urban girl. Though she’d thought she hated small towns when she was a teenager, now she could see the appeal.

It was safer for her to live in places where she could blend in more easily.

That was why her home base was now in Indianapolis—where Aegis was based out of.

As the hair on the back of her neck suddenly rose, she glanced around.

Why did she feel as if unseen eyes were watching her? Olive had been careful when she left work. She’d made sure no one was following her.

Jason had given her a look as she exited the building, but she’d ignored him. Then Sonny had started to rib him again about being a grump. Their banter was a welcome distraction.

Ignoring Jason was the best thing she could do right now.

She hated the fact he’d been hurt by her father’s actions. Though Olive wasn’t the one who’d done him dirty, she still felt guilty.

She couldn’t blame Jason for being skeptical about her. She’d feel the same way in his shoes. Plus, he wasn’t wrong.

She was there for other purposes than her job title implied. However, Duncan was the only one who could know her real identity.

But someone had been on her computer. She still didn’t know who or why. She’d be wise to be cautious. Her job required her to always be on guard.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d let down her guard and relaxed.

She scanned everything around her again. Saw the bus pulling up. People getting off, not giving her a second look. Saw a man amble past with his dog. Saw a woman with a stroller and a red-cheeked toddler seated inside.

But she didn’t see anyone watching her.

She glanced at the time. Ryan still wasn’t here. Where was he?

He was only ten minutes late. Maybe he’d gotten caught up with something at work. Olive would give him another few minutes before she became too concerned.

The breeze blew across the concrete jungle and swirled around her again, and she pulled up the collar of her brown wool coat.

She’d had to dress many different ways in her job as a PI. But dressing professionally with every hair in place was probably her least favorite. She hated fussing over her appearance, but she had to sell herself as a professional, and this was what it meant.

However, she’d been doing undercover assignments for so long that she wasn’t sure what her real style even was. But she felt the most comfortable wearing her favorite jeans and a sweatshirt. Casual wear.

Her thoughts drifted to her dad again. Would he be proud of her? After all, he was the one who’d taught her the value of charm and charisma. Who’d taught her how to adopt different personas in different situations.

But was he a government operative buried so deep in his undercover work that the government paid him off-the-books? Or was he a con man who swindled people out of money?

Olive wasn’t sure she wanted to know that answer.

But she also knew she’d stop at nothing to find out.

When this assignment was over, maybe she’d take some time for herself. She’d dig deeper into her father’s past.

Anxiety sloshed inside her at the thought.

For now, she glanced at her watch again.

Ryan was officially twenty minutes late. What was taking him so long? What if something was wrong?

On a whim, Olive called his office number.

His phone went to voicemail.

The feeling in her stomach churned harder.

Something was wrong. At least, that was the most likely scenario.

She hoped she was incorrect. But there was only one way she could truly know.

Olive needed to find Ryan and see him with her own eyes.

But just as she turned to head to her car, a heavy hand came down on her shoulder.

Olive had three seconds to decide what to do.

Throat punch the person touching her? Or wait to see who was here?

Just as she drew her arm back, ready to defend herself, Jason’s face came into view.

Her arm softened. No need for a throat punch.

But her eyes narrowed when she realized the truth about Jason’s appearance here. “Did you follow me?”

He shrugged, taking a tactic from her own playbook and acting nonchalant. “Would you believe me if I said I just happened to be walking this way when I saw you standing here?”

She crossed her arms, irritation gripping her. “No, I wouldn’t.”

Jason still didn’t own up to anything, but Olive was smart enough to know this wasn’t a coincidence.

She glared at him. “I don’t appreciate you watching me.”

He glared back. “I think you’re up to something.”

If there was anyone who could see through her, it was Jason. Outside her family, he was the only person who’d ever truly known her.

She wouldn’t tell him that, of course. But that made him a major threat right now.

“You want to tell me what you’re doing?” Jason cocked his head to the side as he waited for her response.

Olive brushed off his question. “It’s none of your business.”

“It is if you’re doing something to put the company at risk.”

She let out a dry chuckle. “So that’s what this is about? You think I’m the one who killed Beau?”

“I didn’t say that.” His jaw twitched.

“But that’s what you’re implying. I was the one who found him, after all. But the police tested my hands for gunshot residue, and I was clean.”

He let out a skeptical grunt, making it clear she wasn’t off the hook in his mind.

Then he shifted and locked gazes with her. “So you ready to start talking yet?”

Olive had promised Ryan she wouldn’t tell anyone about their meeting. But maybe she could use Jason’s help. She just needed to play her cards right.

“Truthfully, I was supposed to meet someone here, and he didn’t show.”

He squinted. “Who were you meeting?”

“Ryan Jones.” The best lies also contained tidbits of the truth. That way it was easier to keep your facts straight and remember everything you’d said. Olive had perfected the art of it.

“About what?”

“He has some concerns about the company,” Olive admitted. “He wanted to talk to me privately. Are you happy now?”

“I don’t know.” His eyes remained narrowed. “Where is Ryan now?”

She glanced around. At the bus stop. At the people strolling across the sidewalk. At the cars as they zoomed by. “That’s my question exactly. He’s late. I need to find him and make sure he’s okay.”

“You don’t think that’s an overreaction? Maybe he just was asked to stay late at work.”

“Considering what happened to Beau yesterday, I don’t think I should take any chances.”

“Wait a minute.” Jason stepped back and shook his head. “Your job is to keep everyone accountable for their actions at work on an intellectual level. My job is to keep people at the company safe from physical harm. Why do I feel like you’re trying to do a little bit of both?”

That was an excellent question.

Now it was time for her to plead her case. “Jason?—”

“It’s not safe for you to go around trying to play hero, Ollie,” Jason interrupted. “I’m trained for what I do, but you’re not. You need to leave the investigating to the professionals. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Olive wanted to roll her eyes. But she didn’t. In normal circumstances, his words would make sense.

However, he didn’t know what she knew. He didn’t know that she was trained for this—and he couldn’t know that.

“Checking on someone who didn’t show up for a meeting isn’t trying to be a hero,” she explained. “It’s just being a kind, considerate human. You should try it sometime.”

This time Jason let out the dry chuckle. “Oh, is that the way you see it?”

She popped a hip out. “Look, I get that you have a grudge against me. But I had no idea what my father did, and the fact you’re holding that against me isn’t fair. I can apologize for my father all I want. But the truth is, I had nothing to do with his actions. If he were still alive right now, I’d confront him about it. But he’s not.”

Jason’s gaze softened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask for any details earlier.”

Her throat tightened until it ached. “It’s okay. It happened about a year after we moved from Texas.”

“I’m really sorry.”

She took a step back—literally and figuratively—before she got too emotional. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to go check on Ryan.”

Before he could argue, she turned and walked away. Her departure came just in time because tears tried to press at her eyes.

“Are you going back to the office?” Jason called.

Olive paused, sucked in her tears, and then slowly turned to look at him. That wasn’t what she’d expected him to ask.

“No. I’ve tried calling him there. He didn’t answer.”

“So where are you going?”

“To his house,” Olive told him.

“Let me come with you.”

“Why would you want to come with me?”

“I’d feel better if I did, especially in light of what happened to Beau.”

She wanted to argue. But she knew if she did she’d be risking her cover. Normal people in a situation like this would like more security.

“Fine,” Olive finally said. “If you insist.”

But she wasn’t going to enjoy being with him.

This just might prove to be her hardest assignment yet.