Page 40 of Artifice (Pros and Cons Mysteries #4)

A fter they finished talking to Mrs. Potts, Olive turned to Simon.

“Can I speak to you a moment? Alone ?” She made sure the last word sounded pointed.

Simon remained unfazed by her words. “Of course.”

Instead of going back upstairs, they slipped out back. Tevin still hadn’t come inside looking for her, but that wasn’t surprising. He’d said he was going to do some work in the van.

She and Simon remained in the shadows of the patio, grateful that no one else was out here to see them.

Olive stared at Simon, sure to let him know she meant business. “Who are you?”

“It’s not important.”

She narrowed her eyes further. “It’s important to me.”

“I’m on your side.” He said everything casually, like he was unaffected by it all.

“That means nothing. I don’t know you. Why should I trust those words?”

He stepped closer, not breaking eye contact. “Because I know who you are, and I haven’t blown your cover yet. If you couldn’t trust me, don’t you think I would be doing everything I could right now to destroy you?”

Olive considered his words. She supposed he was right. But that still didn’t mean he was trustworthy.

Though she wanted to take a step back, he might see that as a sign of weakness. For that reason, she remained in place—even though Simon was standing entirely too close.

She leveled her gaze with his. “What are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to keep doing what I have been doing. Looking into this place and trying to shut it down.”

“Do you know anything about those supplements?”

“I’ve heard about them, but I’m still trying to get my hands on them.”

“Where are they kept?”

“I assume in the dispensary at the school. I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity, but I haven’t found it yet. I do know those hallways are monitored. Every twenty minutes, someone walks by. It’s not much time to get inside and get out without being caught . . .”

Olive’s stomach knotted at the thought. “I don’t like the sound of this dispensary.”

“You shouldn’t,” Simon said. “Because I seriously doubt all those supplements are for the benefit of the kids.”

Olive blinked. “You think someone’s doing experiments on them?”

“It’s my best guess.” He shrugged.

She stared at him a moment, at once wishing that she knew without a doubt she could trust him.

Because he probably had information she needed.

Should she tell him about Ms. Strickland? About what she’d seen at the lighthouse tonight?

No, she decided. The fewer people who knew what she’d witnessed, the better.

If there was one thing her dad had taught her it was to keep her cards close.

Olive took a step back when the brick patio beneath her shifted, one of the bricks loose.

Before she could stumble, Simon grabbed her arm.

Her breath caught as she stared up at him, their faces entirely too close.

Her heart seemed to stammer in her chest for a moment.

But the moment was broken when she heard a footstep behind her.

“Is everything okay back here?”

Olive turned in time to see Tevin step from the shadows.

A confused look stretched across his face as his gaze went from Olive to Simon and then back to Olive again.

Instantly, Simon let go of her, and she nearly stumbled. Not because Simon had felt awkward and released her too quickly.

But because she’d been taken by surprise.

If there was one thing she knew for certain it was that she did not—could not—afford to be taken by surprise.

Being taken by surprise could mean the difference between life and death.

Simon extended his hand toward Tevin. “Simon. And you’re Tevin.”

Olive pressed her eyes closed. Of course Simon already knew who Tevin was also.

He was always one—if not more—step ahead of them.

“Olive?” Tevin turned back to her, questions hard in his gaze.

“I’m still trying to figure out exactly who this guy is and if he is a friend or a foe.” She went with the brutal truth. “He claims he’s a friend, and he’s also investigating Lighthouse Harbor.”

Tevin looked at him skeptically. “If he’s not working with us, then he’s not on our side.”

Tevin clearly knew their cover was blown with this man.

And with Mrs. Potts.

Olive was breaking all kinds of rules here. She generally didn’t like anyone to know who she really was. She liked to keep her cover story in place for the duration of her investigations. It was only smart.

Now everything felt as if it was on shaky ground.

“I can’t stay around long.” Simon took a step back. “I’m sure Olive will fill you in. But both of you need to be careful.”

“I don’t think you need to tell us that.” Tevin scowled.

“You guys don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into.” Simon’s lips pressed into a tight line.

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