Page 43 of Artifice (Pros and Cons Mysteries #4)

TWELVE YEARS AGO

O live tucked her hair behind her ear as she waited outside Headmaster Sheffield’s office.

The hallway seemed different today—quieter, more tense.

Olive clutched her geometry textbook to her chest, pretending to study while she watched the office door through her lashes.

A bad feeling had been brewing in her gut, and she’d heard whispers around the school.

She didn’t fully understand everything that was happening.

But she had a feeling her dad might be involved.

The office door flew open. Mrs. Daniels emerged, her face blotchy and tear-streaked. Behind her, her husband gripped her elbow, his jaw clenched tight.

“Three million dollars,” Mrs. Daniels murmured, her voice breaking. “Our life savings—not to mention part of it was set aside for Rhodie’s education.”

“We’ll figure it out,” Mr. Daniels murmured, though his pallor suggested otherwise.

Olive shrank against the wall. Rhodie Daniels was in her literature class.

The boy was quiet, wore thick glasses, and had a stutter that emerged when he had to read aloud. His parents had donated heavily to the school—Olive had seen their name engraved on the new science wing.

“I trusted him,” Mrs. Daniels continued as they passed. “Warner promised us Rhodie would have a place at Princeton. Said our contribution would—” She broke off, noticing Olive. “What are you looking at?”

Olive dropped her gaze to her textbook. “Nothing, ma’am. Sorry.”

After they passed, she glanced into the office. Headmaster Sheffield sat with his head in his hands. On his desk lay a series of papers.

Were they the ones she’d photographed for her father three weeks ago?

Nausea roiled inside her.

This couldn’t be happening.

But it was.

As soon as she got home that evening, she found her father in his office. Mom had picked her up today. She’d looked dazed and tired, however.

Olive hadn’t brought up any of her worries.

Dad was methodically packing their sparse belongings. The television was tuned to a local news channel where a reporter stood in front of Oakridge Academy’s gates.

“. . . allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds totaling over five million dollars,” the reporter said. “Headmaster Sheffield has since resigned from his position.”

Olive’s stomach dropped.

Zoe’s grandma had been robbed. Rhodie’s family had lost millions. And now Brianna’s dad had lost his job.

All because of Olive.

How could she have let this happen?

Her father, seeming unfazed, muted the TV. “Start packing your things, Olive. We’re leaving tonight. Your mother is already gathering her belongings. You know the drill.”

“Dad?” Her voice trembled. “What happened to the Daniels’ money?”

He didn’t look up from his packing. “That’s not something that should concern you.”

“But Rhodie?—”

“Don’t tell me you’re going soft, kid.” His tone was light, but his eyes were hard when they met hers. “They were rich. They’ll bounce back.”

The image of Mrs. Daniels’ tears burned in her mind. “But they trusted?—”

“Trust is for suckers.” Her father zipped his duffel bag closed. “You know that. We talked about this.”

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.