Page 83 of Artifice

But they hadn’t. Not really. Not about the actual people who got hurt.

“Dad—”

He paused and walked toward her, leaning forward to meet her gaze. “Honey, you know how my job works. I can’t tell you the details of what I do. But it’s all for the greater good.”

She frowned. Her dad had told her once he worked for the government. Had said that was why they moved so much and had to change names.

He never offered details. Said he couldn’t.

But none of this made sense.

“Ten minutes.” Her father tossed her a backpack. “Take what matters. Leave the rest.”

Olive walked to her room in a daze. On her desk sat a class photo—Rhodie was in the back row, half-smiling.

She picked it up, studying the faces of kids she’d almost allowed herself to think of as friends.

The familiar hollow sensation of leaving yet another life behind settled in her stomach. But this time, it felt different.

Heavier.

Weighted with the knowledge that her small acts of deception—the “harmless” information she’d provided—had consequences that would ripple outward long after she disappeared.

Olive placed the photo facedown and began to pack.

CHAPTER 44

PRESENT DAY

Olive received a call bright and early the next morning.

It was Principal Denarau.

“Ms. Bettencourt,” he started. “Sorry to call you so early. However, we had an incident at the school last night, and we need to delay the start of the board meeting until noon.”

“An incident?” Olive held her breath as she waited to hear how he would explain this.

“Unfortunately, Ms. Strickland . . . there’s no easy way to say this . . .” He cleared his throat. “Our beloved math teacher appears to have taken her own life.”

Olive gasped, the reaction authentic. The whole event had been shocking . . . and tragic. “What? I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“It’s a real tragedy. The police found her body early this morning, and they’ve been here asking questions. We’re also providing counseling for the students.”

“I’m glad. They’ll need it.” She paused. “Was Ms. Strickland . . . having troubles?”

“She’s always dealt with some depression, but we were working with her on it.” He paused again. “I guess maybe it wasn’t enough.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but thanks for letting me know. I’ll arrive at the school closer to noon.”

She ended the call and stared at the wall in front of her.

She still remembered that radio call Ms. Strickland had made before jumping.

Had she sent a message? Or had she been listening?

Olive couldn’t know for sure.

But Tevin was monitoring the radio for anything suspicious. Maybe he’d hear something else that would give them a clue as to what was going on.