Page 104 of Artifice

“He’s been using the tunnels beneath the east wing for his illegal experiments and also using the warehouse for shipping large quantities of the drugs internationally.”

“The activity in the harbor at night?”

“It’s been their shipments,” Simon said. “They know on nights when the weather is especially bad that very few people will be out to see anything. That’s why they carefully planned their dates—usually on Thursdays.”

“Sounds risky.”

“Everything they were doing was risky.”

Olive couldn’t argue with that.

“What about the two other teens who went missing?” Olive asked. “Did you find them?”

“We did.” Lines formed near his eyes. “They were in rough shape, but we think they’ll be okay. They’re at the hospital now.”

“I’m glad they were found before it was too late.”

“Me too.”

“That first night I saw you at the restaurant,” Olive started. “Were you there to watch me?”

“No, that was just a coincidence. I was reviewing some information and trying out that amazing lobster mac and cheese.”

“Someone tried to get into my computer at the B&B. Was that you?” Her thoughts still turned.

“No, it wasn’t. It was probably Henry or one of his guys.”

Simon paused near the gazebo and turned toward her, his gaze inquiring. “Henry said something interesting, though. He said, ‘My boss wants to thank Olive for all the sacrifices her father made.’ Any idea what he means by that?”

Olive felt her face go pale. “He said that?”

Simon nodded. “What does it mean?”

She swallowed hard. “I . . . I’m not sure. My father is dead, and he has been for eight years.”

“So he had no connection to organized crime?”

Did he? Honesty, Olive had no idea.

“My father was a con man,” she finally answered. “I’m searching for all the other answers myself.”

Simon stared at her another moment as if judging her response. Finally, he nodded. “I see.”

Then he extended his hand. “Good work, Olive.”

After a brief hesitation, Olive slipped her fingers into his. “You too. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime.”

He grinned. “I hope so.”

After their handshake was done, Simon still gripped her fingers a moment.

The next couple of months would be interesting. That was for sure.

~~~