Misdirection (Pros and Cons Mysteries #1)

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

F orgetting about all her problems was tempting. Very tempting.

When Olive felt Jason’s body heat radiating from him, it nearly did her in. All she wanted was to lean into him. To feel his arms around her.

But . . . reality still nagged at her, made her hesitate.

“This is a bad idea.” Despite her words, she still didn’t move away. “You and Adriana . . . you were in love with her.”

“I was in love with a facade. None of that was real, even though I thought it was. You’ve always been my first love, Ollie.”

A thrill went through her. Those were the words she’d craved hearing, that she’d dreamed about.

More of her resolve crumbled.

Then, at once, she remembered that she wouldn’t be staying in Chicago. She’d leave when this case was over.

Being tied down would only hinder her career.

She was thinking with her emotions instead of logic right now. She was breaking one of the rules her dad had taught her.

Her dad . . . the con man. Why would she listen to any of his advice?

“Ollie.” Jason’s fingers tangled with her locks.

Her body continued to melt as desire flickered to life inside her.

This is a bad idea, Ollie. You’ll regret this.

But it would be so easy to lean forward. To feel his lips against hers. To indulge in the moment.

She closed her eyes, ready to give in.

Then a phone buzzed.

Olive jumped away from him as if she’d touched fire, almost spilling her wine in the process.

Jason swallowed hard before glancing at his cell. Darkness flickered in his gaze before quickly disappearing.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“It’s fine,” he muttered. “Spam.”

She didn’t believe him. He was hiding something.

What had that text been about? Her gut told her Jason had a secret.

She thought she could trust him, but what if Jason was somehow involved in this? What if he was truly a great actor and the fact their paths had crossed wasn’t a coincidence after all?

Jason stood. “It’s been quite the day. We should probably call it a night.”

Olive also stood and ran a hand through her hair. “Of course.”

Maybe this was a sign.

Maybe that text had stopped Olive from making a huge mistake.

All she felt right now, however, was disappointment.

And confusion.

Jason headed toward the doorway and paused just long enough to say, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

She forced a smile. “That sounds good.”

As he slipped out the door, Olive paused—but only for a moment.

Then she grabbed her phone and keys.

She needed to follow him . . . it might be the only way she could find the answers she needed.

Careful to remain in the shadows, Olive quietly opened her door and peered out.

Jason waited by the elevators. She waited until she heard the ding, and then she slipped into the hallway. She’d take the next car down.

She hoped things didn’t turn ugly. If they did, she was on her own. She’d already dismissed Tevin for the evening, and she wasn’t going to call him for backup. Not based on this hunch.

Besides, Jason wouldn’t hurt her . . . at least she didn’t think he would.

The next elevator arrived, and Olive climbed in—alone. The car seemed to move extra slowly. She knew it actually moved at normal speed, but her impatience made everything feel more drawn out.

Finally, the elevator dinged on the first floor, and she stepped out.

Quickly, she headed toward the front doors.

She had a general idea of where Jason had parked, so she headed in that direction.

As she moved, she kept her head down and her hands stuffed into the pockets of her heavy black coat.

A surprising number of people were out on the streets this time of night. The area was crowded with pedestrians, and several tables had been set up by a local restaurant to offer more seating.

But that could work to her advantage and help her blend in. She didn’t want Jason to see her.

She needed to find out what he was up to.

She reached the corner. Which direction had he gone?

Then she spotted him a block ahead of her.

Relief swept through her. She hadn’t lost him.

But as he reached the next corner, he disappeared again.

She hurried to catch up, and she froze. Where had he gone?

She glanced around, desperate to spot him.

But he was nowhere.

She needed to make a choice.

Gritting her teeth, she decided to go straight.

She hoped she didn’t regret this.

She kept her head down. Since she’d lost sight of him, the last thing she wanted to do was to stumble upon him. She needed to remain obscure.

What if he was meeting someone? What if she’d trusted him too much, too easily?

The questions haunted her.

Finally, just up ahead, she spotted a Range Rover on the side of the street.

That had to be his, and this was in the basic area where he’d said he parked.

She stepped back near an Italian restaurant that smelled of garlic and onions to observe.

Was Jason inside his vehicle? She couldn’t be sure. The windows were too dark.

If he took off, she wouldn’t be able to follow . . . unless she could find a cab.

She supposed that was a possibility.

She scanned the sidewalks. Still no sign of him.

Then an explosion rocked the air.

A scream lodged in her throat as people scattered, panic in their actions.

It was Jason’s Range Rover, Olive realized. The vehicle had gone up in flames.