Page 88 of Artifice

It gave Olive the perfect opportunity to slip away. But she wasn’t sure how much time she would be able to buy.

CHAPTER 47

Before the meeting was over, Olive excused herself to use the bathroom.

In truth, she wanted to try and call Tevin again.

He hadn’t sent her any texts or tried to call her back, and she was growing more concerned by the minute.

Tucking in the single stall bathroom with the door locked, she dialed his number. But again, just like before, it went to voicemail.

Her worry continued to grow.

Something was wrong. She was sure of it.

There was only one person she could think of to ask about it.

She stepped from the bathroom. Instead of going back into the conference room, she walked toward the lobby.

She spotted the person she was looking for.

Simon. She’d seen him on more than one occasion using the tables and chairs there to do his work.

He stood beside one of those tables now.

With no one else around, she carefully strode up to him.

She lowered her voice as she asked, “Have you seen my friend Tevin today?”

He raised his eyebrows. “The man who confronted us last night?”

“Stop playing this game. You knew who he was before you even met him.”

He didn’t argue. “No, I haven’t seen him. What’s wrong?”

“He’s not answering his phone, and that’s not like him. I don’t know who you are, and I’m still not a hundred percent sure I can trust you. But I know I can’t trust anyone in that room where I’ve been all day.”

His expression sobered. “Wise choice. What do you want me to do?”

“If you hear anything . . . can you let me know? Please?”

He stared at her another moment, his hands perched casually in the pockets of his khaki pants. “I can do that. Where was he supposed to be?”

“He was researching that warehouse where we saw Principal Denarau.”

He ran a hand over his mouth and jaw. “Sounds like a bad idea.”

“He wasn’t supposed to do anything in person.”

His gaze remained stormy. “I’ll see what I can find out. But it will cost you.”

Tension immediately stretched across her back. “What do you mean?”

“I mean nothing’s free.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I’ll let you know.”