Page 33

CHAPTER 33

O live watched as a man rushed into the ER and headed to the information desk.

“I’m here to see Rebecca Hansen,” he started.

He instantly had Olive’s attention. She hadn’t seen him before. He was on the shorter side with a sharply receding hairline and thin build.

She tried to shut out the sounds of a kid playing on an iPad two rows over. A conversation between a husband and wife about how they needed to change their vacation plans. A man who’d nicked his thumb with an axe, and now he sat moaning with a bloody cloth on his hand.

She didn’t want to miss a word the man at the desk said.

Olive had never seen him before, but he was obviously someone close to the Hansens.

“I’m sorry, only one family member is allowed in with her right now,” Mitzi told the man.

“I’m Brandon Phelps,” the man said. “Did they leave a message for me?”

Olive stored his name away.

“As a matter of fact, they did.” Mitzi handed him a note. “Hope that helps.”

“Perfect.” He took the piece of paper and stepped back.

Olive continued to watch the man as he paced with his cell phone to his ear.

What she wouldn’t give to hear what was being said on the other side of that conversation.

“Sure,” he finally said. “I can pick those things up for you. Is there anything else you need?”

Olive’s breath caught.

Then he said, “Yes, I know where you keep the spare key. I’ll go grab everything from your house and bring it back to the hospital.”

Panic raced through her.

This man was heading to Rebecca and Matt’s house.

She had to warn Nova before she was caught and their cover was blown.

As soon as the man left the waiting room, Olive dialed Nova’s number.

But the call rang and rang.

Nova didn’t pick up.

Was her colleague all right?

Even if she was okay now, there was a good chance Nova wouldn’t be okay if this man caught her.

Olive’s muscles bristled.

She had to figure out exactly what to do.

Olive tried to call Nova again.

Again, there was no answer.

She texted her.

There was no response.

But what could she do? Nova had taken the Jeep, so it wasn’t as if Olive could jump in the vehicle to go warn her.

No, aside from asking to borrow Mitzi’s car—which could blow both their covers—Olive was stuck here without a ride.

Although . . . the person who’d sent Olive that picture of her and Mitzi together might already know who they are and why they were here.

They’d have to cross that bridge when they reached it.

She drew in a deep breath.

Her hands were tied right now, and she’d have to trust that Nova could handle herself.

Nova was a highly trained, highly skilled operative with a well above average intelligence. She would know how to handle this situation.

But Olive didn’t understand why her colleague wasn’t answering the phone. They’d talked about this before she left.

What if something was wrong and that’s why she wasn’t answering?

The thought left her uneasy, and anxiety bubbled inside her.

Olive stared at her computer screen, trying to look busy. But in truth, her mind played out various scenarios. Scenarios where Nova was caught. Where she was questioned. Where this investigation was cut short because of one bad decision and one unanswered phone call.

Olive drew in a slow breath. She had to shift her thoughts.

She wasn’t usually one to feel so panicky. Maybe being back in this town had her at odds with herself.

Olive’s phone jangled, and she nearly jumped out of her seat. A middle-aged woman sitting a few chairs away glanced at her with a curious look in her eyes.

“I guess I was lost in my own world,” Olive said with a laugh. “Please, excuse me.”

That seemed to appease the woman.

Olive glanced at the screen. It was Nova!

Her heart pounded faster, and she quickly put the device to her ear, careful to keep her words in check in case anyone close was listening.

“How is everything?” Olive kept her voice cheery, though she tried to send a hidden message. “I heard Mr. Merryman was coming over. Did you see him?”

“Everything is fine. I got what we needed and left.”

Relief filled her. But she still had more questions.

“I tried to call, but you didn’t answer. I was getting worried.” Again, Olive tried to sound neutral, even though inside she was irritated.

“There was a camera outside, so I used a signal jammer to stop the camera feed. It didn’t let any calls go through either.”

Olive’s eyebrows flew up at the thought. “A signal jammer?”

The woman sitting closest to her shot her a look.

“It was the only thing I could think of to do since I was in a hurry,” Nova explained.

Olive felt the woman’s eyes still on her and said, “I’ve never heard of that band. But cool name.”

“Band?” Confusion stretched through her voice. “Oh, I get it. Someone is listening. The good news is that I think I may have found something. I printed out the bank records. Rebecca might have other hidden accounts I wasn’t able to find. But it’s a good starting place.”

Olive released the pent-up breath she’d been holding. “I’m glad something good came out of this. The party is going to be awesome.”

She glanced at the woman in the waiting room, noting she didn’t appear to be listening anymore. But Olive still needed to be careful.

“I’ll come back to the hospital now, and we can look at them.”

“Sounds great.” She ended the call, grateful Nova was okay.

She really did hope these financial records proved something. Not that they could use records obtained by illegal means to show the FBI and strike up a case against Rebecca.

But at least it would be a start.

Olive looked up in time to see Mitzi motioning to her from behind the desk.

She wanted to talk.

Olive gave her a nod before closing her computer, slipping it into her backpack, and then stepping outside.