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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Curious glances flew between the employees when Tyson and Olivia walked back into the reception area.

The stares didn’t seem to bother Tyson, who kept his head high as he led Olivia toward his office.

He stopped just short of his door and turned to his assistant. “Sheri, has anyone been in my office today besides Ms. Montgomery and myself?”

Sheri shook her head. “No one I can remember, Mr. Stone.”

“Have you left your desk for any amount of time?”

“I’ve been to the bathroom once, and I went to lunch for about forty-five minutes.” A look of confusion crossed her face. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Not at all. Thank you, Sheri.”

Tyson opened his office door and ushered Olivia inside before shutting the door again. “Let’s take a look at those roses.”

He walked to the other side of his desk, reached down, and grabbed them.

Olivia cringed at the sight of them. The bad memories that came with them were nearly unbearable.

“How would someone know that you were going to come here today?” Tyson asked. “Did you mention it to anyone?”

Olivia shook her head, having already thought of that question herself. “I have no idea how someone found out. It was a last-minute decision to stop by. I only mentioned it to . . . Hobbes.”

“Hobbes? He wouldn’t have done this.”

She wanted to mention he’d lived in New York. But she didn’t. She knew she’d only sound paranoid.

“And why would someone leave these roses under my desk?” Tyson continued, appearing truly perplexed.

“I don’t know that either. It’s . . . weird.”

Olivia had so many questions, so many things that didn’t make sense.

But was it even possible to make sense of this situation?

She didn’t think so.

* * *

Tyson frowned and picked up his phone. He called the building receptionist, putting her on speaker.

“Erma, did I have any deliveries today—for flowers in particular?”

“No, sir.”

“Any unusual visitors?”

She thought about it a moment. “No one out of the ordinary. UPS came. One of your reps from California stopped by.”

“That’s it?”

“The custodian was here, but he wasn’t a visitor,” Erma said.

Tyson bristled. “The cleaning crew usually comes at night.”

“He said you called and requested a daytime cleaning today.”

His spine tightened even more. “Gerald said that specifically?”

“No, it wasn’t Gerald. It was another man from his company. I didn’t recognize him, but he was wearing the same uniform. But, yes, he did say that.” Erma paused. “Is something wrong?”

Tyson and Olivia looked at each other.

Olivia leaned closer to the phone. “What did he look like?”

“Medium height, dirty-blond hair. He walked with a limp.”

Tyson glanced at Olivia, but she shook her head, letting him know that didn’t ring any bells.

“What time did he come?” Tyson asked.

“Around lunchtime. A lot of people were gone, so I thought it wouldn’t be a problem for him to get some things done.”

He thanked Erma and ended the call.

Then he stared at Olivia, trying to choose his words carefully. “I know I already mentioned this, but I think you should call the police.”

Olivia visibly tensed. “It won’t do any good.”

“Olivia—”

“Tyson, I’ve been through this before. It won’t do any good.” Her words sounded firm, unmoving.

He thought through the situation again.

“Okay then.” He tapped his fingers together. “Then the only thing that makes sense to me is . . .”

He hesitated, not wanting to sound crazy.

“Is what?”

Finally, he decided just to spill his thoughts. “I think this guy wanted to leave the flowers here for me, knowing what they would eventually do to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. He had no way of knowing you’d come here today. So someone set up this elaborate scheme, pretended to be a custodian, and left ten roses. He had to know this news would eventually get back to you. Maybe he even thought I’d take the flowers home with me. It’s all part of the game he’s playing.”

Her face went paler, but she nodded. “I think you’re right.”

“You have no idea who this is?” He narrowed his eyes as he studied her face.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

Silence fell between them.

Olivia stood and nodded toward the door, suddenly seeming anxious to get out of there.

He couldn’t blame her.

“I should go.”

“I’m coming with you.” Tyson stood.

She placed her hand on his chest. “No . . . I’ll be okay.”

His jaw tightened. He didn’t want to be too forceful. But if someone was threatening her . . .

“Let me walk you to your car, at least,” he finally said.

Her expression relaxed, and she nodded. “I’ll let you do that.”

Relief filled him.

It was something. A small step—but Tyson would take it.