Page 78 of Artifice

Just like a shadow, he disappeared as quickly as he’d appeared.

CHAPTER 41

Olive stayed outside with Tevin.

His gaze followed Simon as he departed. “Who do you think that guy is?”

She twisted her lips as she thought about it. “I’m not sure. CIA? FBI? DEA?”

“So you think he works for the government?”

She shrugged. “He could work for another private contractor for all I know. But my gut tells me it’s the government.”

Olive filled him in on everything that had happened, and he listened carefully to every word. He was probably already making a mental spreadsheet of tonight’s events so they could keep track of them.

“I don’t like this, Olive. I don’t like people already knowing you’re not really Liv Bettencourt.”

He didn’t have to explain—she felt the same way. “I don’t either. But I didn’t have much choice.”

“Because Simon forced your hand.” His words contained a bitter edge.

Olive already knew Tevin didn’t like the man. She couldn’t blame him.

There was a part of Olive that didn’t like Simon very much either.

But did Olive detect a slight hint of jealousy in Tevin’s words? He had walked in on them during a moment that might have looked almost like an embrace.

And Tevin had always been protective of her, almost like a brother.

Olive took a breath, needing to change the subject for a moment. “How about you? Did you find out anything?”

“I called in the anonymous tip to the cops, just like we talked about. The police showed up and were searching the area around the lighthouse when I left.”

“Good. I feel better about that. I don’t know if Ms. Strickland has a family or not. But the people who loved her deserve to know.”

Tevin nodded, something of the tightness fading from his gaze. “I agree. And I got some information back on who owns that warehouse where we saw Principal Denarau.”

“And?” Olive held her breath as she waited for his answer.

“You’re not going to like this. And it makes me think that maybe Simon is telling the truth.”

“That warehouse where you spotted Denarau?” Tevin continued. “It’s owned by a shell company called Harborside Logistics.”

Shell company? Olive knew what that meant. “Let me guess—recently formed, minimal paper trail.”

“Formed three years ago, same time Lighthouse Harbor transitioned from state facility to private institution. But here’s where it gets interesting. Harborside Logistics is a subsidiaryof Meridian Holdings, which is itself owned by Westridge Enterprises.”

Olive straightened. “What’s Westridge Enterprises?”

“It’s a company owned by Dr. Wells.”

Realization spread through her. “Isn’t that interesting . . .”

“Westridge Enterprises is primarily a real estate portfolio company with ownership stakes in medical research facilities across three states.”

“So Wells is connected to the warehouse.” She hadn’t expected that.

“I’m not done,” Tevin cut in. “I pulled the incorporation documents for Westridge Enterprises. On paper, it’s owned by a consortium of investors. But I found a lawsuit from five years ago—a contract dispute where financial records were submitted to discovery.”