Page 64

CHAPTER 64

O live and Jason talked through all the different scenarios that might be taking place as they drove.

She’d already looked up the address, and it appeared to be an old warehouse.

Of course , it was an old warehouse. It could never be somewhere high-class and safe.

She pulled up right on time. She’d dropped Jason off a block ago, and he’d walk the rest of the way in case anyone was watching—and they most likely were.

Olive checked her gun.

But whoever was waiting for her would probably take it away from her.

She had another one strapped to her ankle. They’d probably find that one too.

She also had a knife up her sleeve, just in case.

She needed to be prepared for whatever might happen. But that was nearly impossible. There were too many unknowns.

She stared at the building, which appeared empty.

This person who’d sent the text was probably waiting inside for her.

She drew in a deep breath, again wishing she had a God she could pray to for safety and protection. She found herself hoping for that more and more lately. She needed to forget the idea. It would only end with disappointment.

Then she remembered being at her old house. She’d prayed there, and Jason had shown up.

Maybe she shouldn’t dismiss the idea after all.

She stepped toward the door and jerked it open.

Darkness stared back at her.

Olive took her first step inside.

As soon as she did, a black bag came down over her head and arms clamped her limbs in place.

Olive had no choice but to see what would play out next.

She’d been patted down. Her weapons taken—they’d found all three.

Then she’d been carried, kicking and screaming through the warehouse. She had heard doors open and close. Heard footsteps around her.

She was placed in a chair. Ties had been put around her wrists and ankles.

Then someone snatched the bag from over her head.

A bright light blinded her, and she blinked as her eyes tried to adjust.

The first person she saw was Mitzi.

Her colleague sat in a chair in the other corner of the room, her wrists and ankles also bound. A gag stretched across her mouth. But her eyes were feisty and angry.

Then Olive glanced up at the man in front of her.

She had expected to see Dr. Peters. After all, he and Mitzi had gone on their date.

It made sense that he might abduct her.

Olive blinked in surprise when she realized it was . . . Ellis.

Sabrina’s husband.

“You’re behind this?” The words came out rough and full of accusation.

“That’s right. And you’re trying to ruin my plans.”

The facts that had been trying to click in place in her mind suddenly all fit.

Well, maybe they didn’t all fit, but they were getting closer.

“You found out what Rebecca was doing and you blackmailed her, didn’t you?”

He said nothing.

“How did you find out?”

He smirked. “Dr. Peters and I went to college together. He’d had too much to drink one night and started talking a little too much. Meanwhile, I was about to lose my job in sales, and I didn’t know how I’d support my family. Paisley was still a baby. Then an idea hit me. A brilliant idea.”

“You saw how much money you’d made from Rebecca and decided to spread your enterprise far and wide, I guess? Since Sabrina has helped with some fundraisers, you knew how much money they were raking in. You even hired people to help you. I suppose you and Dr. Peters split some of those profits.”

“Keep going.” He paused. “I find this all amusing.”

“He wanted out, but you knew just how much money was at stake and what a great salesperson Rebecca really was,” Olive continued. “People were practically signing over their paychecks to her after they heard her story.”

Ellis let out a chuckle. “I could tell from the moment I met you that you were a smart one.”

“You were holding not only the fact that Rebecca had been lying over her head, but then you began to threaten Willow, didn’t you? That’s why you had one of your guys go into her bedroom. You had him take one of Willow’s toys as a way of proving that nothing was out of your reach.”

Ellis began to pace. “You think you have this all figured out, don’t you?”

“You’re doing the same thing to other people who’ve been sick, aren’t you? Scamming them out of money?” She remembered the woman from Midlothian.

He smirked. “After this one started going so well, we realized that we needed to keep it going. We found people with the biggest platforms. And when it seemed like their journey of sickness was over, we informed them that it wasn’t.”

“That’s despicable.” Bile rose in her throat. “Exactly how many people are you doing this to?”

“We have a roster.” He shrugged. “Turns out this pays much better than my old job. I just have to make sure nobody gets in my way. You were making that very difficult. I know you’re not a documentary filmmaker.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And she’s not a temp worker at the hospital either.” He nodded at Mitzi.

“Dr. Peters is helping you, isn’t he?” Olive asked. “It’s amazing what people will do for a paycheck. Who’s the guy in the green Mercedes?”

“Just another one of my workers.” He paused. “But you do know that the fact you’re asking so many questions, and I’m answering them isn’t a good sign for you, don’t you?” He smiled.

“It means you’re going to kill me like you killed Maria and the nurse.”