Page 31

CHAPTER 31

“ Y ou’re in no state to drive.” Olive stepped in front of Matt. “We’ll take you.”

“You don’t have to do that.” He barely seemed to register her words. But his hands trembled so badly that his car keys tumbled to the floor.

When he tried to pick them up, he dropped them again.

“I insist.” Olive nodded at Nova.

They grabbed their things and hurried alongside Matt as he rushed down the hall.

“I need to tell my boss I’m leaving,” he muttered.

“You call him en route,” Olive told him. “You don’t need to be behind the wheel.”

Matt didn’t argue.

They hurried outside to Olive’s newly rented Jeep and helped him into the back seat. Nova quickly climbed in beside her, and Olive took off down the road. She reminded Matt to call his boss.

He thanked her and grabbed his phone.

As soon as he finished that call, Olive asked, “What about Willow? Where is she?”

“At preschool. I have until three to pick her up.”

“Good. She’ll be taken care of.”

Olive’s mind continued to race as the miles flew past.

“Do you want us to call 911?” Nova asked.

“No, I’d rather take Rebecca in myself. She hates ambulances. We called one once, and the paramedics were in an accident while taking her to the hospital. She wasn’t injured, but she’s hated them since then.”

“Understood,” Olive said. “Has this ever happened before? The vomiting blood?”

“Not this exactly. But you name it, and Rebecca has probably gone through it. She’s the strongest woman I know, and I hate to see her suffer.” His voice cracked.

Thankfully, it only took ten minutes to reach the house.

Before Olive had even put the Jeep into Park, Matt jumped out and rushed toward the front door. He truly appeared worried.

Olive and Nova hung back a few steps, wanting to give him some space.

“You think this is legit?” Nova whispered as they stood outside.

“I have no idea.” Olive hated the doubt in her own words. But she wanted to be honest.

They exchanged another look before stepping inside.

Olive paused near the entry. In the living room, Matt knelt beside Rebecca, who was balled up on the floor.

A lump formed in Olive’s throat at the sight.

If this woman wasn’t really sick . . . then she should get an Oscar.

Matt carried Rebecca to the Jeep. She looked pale, and her hand didn’t leave her stomach.

Then they all climbed inside.

Olive rushed toward the hospital, driving as fast as she safely could. She didn’t say much—she figured they should give Rebecca some space.

But Rebecca finally lifted her head and spoke. “This . . . isn’t the same . . . Jeep you drove earlier.”

The woman was observant. Olive had to give her credit for that. This new Jeep Wrangler was steel gray instead of black.

“I was in a minor accident last night,” Olive told her. “I had to trade one rental for another.”

Rebecca’s arms remained crossed over her stomach, and she leaned forward, moisture beneath her eyes. “Is that why you’re wincing when you move?”

No, that was because I was sideswiped, hit over the head, fell through a floor.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Olive said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too.” Olive swallowed back more guilt.

Rebecca honestly seemed to be in pain.

What if this investigation wasn’t based on facts? What if Chelsea was jealous of the attention Rebecca was getting? Chelsea didn’t seem like the type, but Olive had to consider the possibility.

She pulled up to the emergency entrance of the hospital. Just like at the house, Matt opened his door before Olive had even put the Jeep in Park.

He rushed toward the entrance, grabbed a wheelchair, and hurried back toward them.

They all helped Rebecca into the chair, and then Matt wheeled her inside. Meanwhile, Olive went to find a place to park.

She wasn’t sure if they should go inside with Rebecca and Matt. But they would. Part of her hated herself for going inside to snoop instead of out of true concern.

She didn’t have a crisis of conscience very often. But she did right now.

“What do you think?” Nova asked after Olive pulled into a parking space.

How did she even answer given her inner struggle? “I’m not sure right now. Rebecca looked like she was in pain.”

“She did. And Matt looked so worried.”

“Exactly.” Olive frowned. “Maybe we’re trying to crucify an innocent person who’s truly down on her luck.”

“Let’s just keep an open mind,” Nova said. “If Rebecca is innocent, we’ll back off. She won’t have to know we’re actually investigating her.”

“Except when this documentary never comes out . . .”

“We’ll tell her the funding got pulled. It won’t be a total lie.”

Olive thought about her words before nodding. Nova was right.

But Olive still didn’t like herself at this very moment.