Page 14 of Artifice (Pros and Cons Mysteries #4)

O live was only three students in, and she was already tired of these interviews.

She’d been seated in Margaret’s office, and Margaret’s assistant had sent the students in one at a time.

After the first two, the assistant—her name was Sadie—had brought Olive some lunch. The ham and cheese sandwich, apple, and chips weren’t delicious. In fact, they just might be prison grade. But Olive nibbled on them, knowing she needed to eat.

The three students Olive had spoken with had obviously been coached, and these talks were getting her nowhere.

And Olive still hadn’t seen Peyton or Abe. Those were the two she really needed to speak with.

The good news was that her phone was charging.

After the third student left and before the fourth one was set to come talk to her, Olive scrolled through her messages, seeing she’d missed several messages from Tevin. She began clicking through them.

The first message he sent said he couldn’t find anyone named Peyton on the student enrollment list, but he’d keep looking.

How was that possible? Unless maybe he didn’t have an accurate list. Why would administrators make up having a student named Peyton?

The next message was about Simon.

Now that she’d had a chance to talk to the man one-on-one, she was even more curious about him.

But her gaze narrowed as she read the words there.

On paper, Simon Long seemed legit. But Tevin had done a deeper dive into his background, and the consulting firm he worked for raised some red flags.

For starters, the firm had only been around for six months. That wasn’t much time to get established. Even though all their reviews were glowing, they didn’t all ring true. They all sounded too generic and stiff.

Tevin had even tried to contact one of the reviewers, but he’d been unable to confirm the review was legit.

Why would Simon make up a company and post fake reviews?

What if he had other reasons for being here? And what if his intentions were less than honorable?

In fact, he might have something to do with these missing students if that was the case.

If that was true, Olive needed to get to know him better.

It was the only way she could find out the truth—to find out what he was doing and what he might know.

That meant she needed to shift her mindset.

She liked this assignment less and less all the time.

“Lighthouse Harbor has given me the structure I need to succeed,” said Marissa, a freckled redhead who kept her hands folded precisely in her lap. The sixteen-year-old’s posture was perfect, her uniform immaculate. “The dedicated staff provides both boundaries and opportunities for growth.”

Olive nodded encouragingly, jotting notes in the notebook she’d brought with her. “And what’s your favorite part of the program?”

“The therapeutic approach is evidence-based and respects our individuality,” Marissa replied without hesitation.

The phrase sounded rehearsed, lifted directly from the brochure Olive had been given during her tour.

“Every student has a personalized development plan that addresses our unique challenges and builds on our strengths.”

It was the third time Olive had heard that exact phrasing in as many interviews.

“What about something more specific?” Olive pressed gently. “Maybe a particular activity or class you enjoy?”

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Marissa’s face. She glanced toward the partially open door where Director Ingraham hovered just within earshot.

“I . . . I find the group therapy sessions particularly beneficial,” she finally said, voice dropping back into its rehearsed cadence. “They help us develop crucial interpersonal skills in a supportive environment.”

“I see.” Olive made another note. “And how long have you been here, Marissa?”

“Seven months. The average stay is between six and twelve months, with some students benefiting from extended support of up to two years.”

Another line from the brochure.

This was getting her nowhere.

What kind of place was this? It seemed as if these kids’ personalities had been suppressed, or even worse—disciplined right out of them.

Just how far was the school willing to take that discipline?

Olive knew one thing: She was willing to take things as far as necessary to ensure no one else went missing from this place.

Even if it meant putting herself in danger.