Page 45

CHAPTER 45

TODAY

O live was even more sore this morning than she’d been yesterday. Not only was her body tender from the fight and her other injuries, but she hadn’t got much rest, despite her best efforts.

Right after she’d drifted to sleep, Mitzi had called.

Her date with the doctor had gone well, but she hadn’t discovered anything new. She said the doctor talked a lot about himself—his upbringing, his schooling, his social connections. He’d even talked about his family some—about how his dad had been a rancher. How his granddad had been an end-times prepper, complete with a fallout shelter. How his mom was Miss America 1994.

When Rebecca was mentioned, he’d clammed up.

But Mitzi felt confident he knew something more, something he either couldn’t—or wouldn’t—share.

She’d promised to keep working on him.

Hopefully, today would provide more answers.

With one last glance in the mirror, Olive grabbed her bag, ready to leave for the day. She’d worn a lightweight turtleneck that covered the cut across her neck. She’d also carefully applied makeup to cover the bruises on her face. Her busted lip was harder to conceal, but she could tell people it was a fever blister if they asked.

However, her body ached, and she’d had nightmares last night about her attack.

She’d need to push through those things and stay focused.

Olive had already texted Jason, and he’d agreed to tag along today. Just like last night, Olive had mixed feelings about him being here. But she knew he wouldn’t be any trouble. In fact, he’d probably be a big help.

A few minutes later, she, Nova, and Jason met downstairs. They grabbed breakfast from the lobby area before heading outside.

Olive paused when she saw her Jeep in the lot. “What . . . ? How . . . ?”

“Nova and I went back to the house last night while you were resting,” Jason explained. “We grabbed your Jeep and your gun. Plus, we checked out the house for any evidence. We didn’t find anything.”

Olive felt speechless a moment. “Wow. I wasn’t expecting that. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Jason said the words as if what they’d done hadn’t been a big deal. Then he handed her a bag. “Gun is in there.”

“I appreciate it.”

“I don’t mind driving today,” Jason offered before studying their faces. “If you’re okay with it. I have no problem with women driving, just for the record.”

“I hate driving, so that’s fine with me,” Nova said. “We need to head to the hospital first, right?”

“It only makes sense to check on Rebecca,” Olive said. “But we also have that interview lined up with Georgina.”

They reached the hospital and stepped inside. Jason agreed to stay in the waiting room. It would be too strange to explain his presence to Rebecca and Matt. Besides, he said he had a few phone calls to make.

With that settled, Olive and Nova headed toward the front desk. Unfortunately, Mitzi worked the ER, so she wasn’t at this desk. They could find her later if needed.

“You didn’t tell me he was so cute,” Nova whispered as they walked.

“Who?”

Nova shot her a look. “You know good and well who I’m talking about. Jason. If he ever decides to do cosplay, he should totally be Batman.”

“Totally.” Why did Nova always think of people in terms of cosplay? Olive supposed the trait only made her colleague more interesting.

“Did he really surprise you by coming?” Nova asked.

“He did.”

“That’s sweet.”

Olive supposed that was one way to look at it. His presence was both sweet and a complication.

“When I make you that lumpia and pancit, you should give him some,” Nova said. “My mom claims it’s the way into any man’s heart.”

“Who said I want his heart?” Olive cast her an outraged look.

“You clearly do. I can feel the chemistry between you two.”

Olive opened her mouth to argue. Instead, she said, “You just hand over the lumpia and pancit. I’ll decide what to do with it.”

The nurse at the front desk confirmed Rebecca’s room number hadn’t changed, and they started that way. But as Olive and Nova passed two women in the hallway, their conversation caught Olive’s ear.

“I don’t know how long I can keep acting like this,” the shorter of the two said as they headed toward the hospital exit.

“I talked to the police about it, but they said they couldn’t do anything.”

“It should be a crime!”

Were they talking about Rebecca? Olive’s gut told her they were.

After all, these women were about Rebecca’s age. They were dressed casually in jeans and T-shirts. One was tall with short curly hair, and the other was shorter with blonde hair, cut into a bob.

Olive had to make a quick decision.

Before she missed the opportunity, she turned and called, “Excuse me!”

The two women stopped and turned.

Olive hoped this wasn’t a mistake.

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop,” Olive started, trying to sound casual as she scooted closer to the women. “But we’re here visiting Rebecca. It sounds like maybe you are too.”

The women glanced at each other, a silent conversation passing between the two, before nodding.

“That’s right,” the taller of the two said. “And who are you?”

“I’m Olive, and this is Nova. We’re doing the documentary on Rebecca and Matt.”

An unreadable emotion flickered in their eyes.

“Rebecca did mention that,” the tall friend said.

“It looks like you were coming from her room,” Olive said. “Is she not doing well this morning?”

“When is she ever doing well?” the shorter friend muttered under her breath.

That was an interesting statement to make, Olive mused.

“I’m sure it’s hard seeing her like this,” Olive finally said.

The women remained quiet a moment before the tall one said, “Yes, it is challenging.”

Olive had other questions she wanted to ask, things she wanted to know.

But she wasn’t sure this was the time or the place.

Instead, she pulled out a business card. “I’m looking for people who know Rebecca to interview for this documentary. It sounds like you two are close to her, so if you’re interested in being interviewed, I’d love to set something up. However, I’m only going to be in town for a few more days.”

The tall woman took the card, looked at it skeptically, and then slid it in her purse. “Good to know.”

Olive had a feeling the woman wouldn’t be calling. But she really wanted to talk to them.

She wouldn’t let this go. These women had opinions. She wanted to know what those opinions were.

She was determined to find out one way or another.

But not here, and not now.