Page 66

CHAPTER 66

O live stood, wooden chair still attached to her and making her hunch over.

There was only one way she could get out of this.

She slammed the chair on the floor, breaking its legs and loosening the spindles on the back. Pain traveled up her back and the side of her leg, but she ignored it.

One of her ankles slid out.

But she needed more time to free the rest of her limbs.

She glanced at her colleague.

Mitzi thrashed, trying to fight Ellis. She had no luck. The man was stronger than Olive had thought.

Just then, the door burst open.

Jason stood there, gun in hand and poised to shoot. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”

Jason . . . thank goodness he was here.

Olive tried to steady her breathing, but she couldn’t seem to get a good breath as she watched the situation play out.

What happened in the next few seconds would determine one of their fates. One wrong move could have devastating consequences.

“Put the gun down,” Jason said, his voice deep and gravelly.

“You put the gun down,” Ellis said, sweat pouring from his face. “Or I’m going to shoot her. Don’t test me.”

“You don't want to shoot Mitzi,” Jason said. “It’s not going to end well for you. I assure you of that. Because as soon as you pull that trigger on Mitzi, I’m going to pull the trigger on you.”

Ellis froze as if considering his words.

The man had to know he was trapped. He couldn’t win in this situation. He was smart enough to hear the truth in Jason’s words.

Finally, Ellis muttered another curse.

Olive watched as he rose. Slowly, he put the gun on the floor.

Then he stood to full height and raised his hands in the air.

As he did, the cops flooded into the room, taking over the scene.

Olive finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

Maybe this was now finally over.

Olive sat in an office at the police station. She and Jason had already been questioned separately.

Olive had been honest about what was going on when she spoke with the detective assigned to the case. She’d told him she was a PI who’d been hired to look into things. Told him about the evidence she’d found.

He’d grunted and taken notes.

Meanwhile, Mitzi was taken to the hospital. One of her ribs may have been fractured, and she was dehydrated. But she would be okay. Before the ambulance took her away, she told them that, while on her date with Dr. Peters, she’d felt a prick in her neck.

He’d drugged her.

When she’d awakened, she’d been tied up in that warehouse. Ellis was there, and he’d had his guys rough her up as they tried to get more answers from her.

She hadn’t given them anything.

Nova had gone to the hospital with her.

As Olive had waited in the office, she called Rex and gave him the update also.

Where was Jason? She wondered. What was taking so long to question him?

Finally, the door opened, and Jason stepped inside.

Without thinking, Olive ran toward him and pulled him into a hug.

His arms enveloped her as he pulled her close.

For a moment, Olive felt safe—a feeling she liked a little too much.

“I’m so glad you came when you did,” she murmured as she leaned into his chest.

“I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened.” His voice sounded hoarse with emotion.

A moment of quiet passed until Olive pulled away from the hug—but just slightly. Their arms still held each other, causing Olive’s heart to pound rapidly.

“Did you hear any updates while you were out there?” she finally asked.

“Not yet. I think the cops are still gathering information. And I’m pretty sure the FBI has been called in.”

“Rebecca and Matt?”

“I overheard they've been brought in.”

Olive rubbed the side of her face as a frown tugged at her lips. “I hate to think about Sabrina. She didn’t know any of this, and the fallout won’t be easy for her, will it?”

“It won’t. But she’s strong, and she’ll be okay.”

She knew his words were true. But she still hated it for Sabrina.

“I want to talk to Rebecca,” Olive finally said. “I still have more questions.”

“I know,” Jason murmured. “But I’m not sure if that will happen or not.”

“I’m just glad this is closed, but I’m sorry it ever happened in the first place.”

“Me too.” Jason released her, and Olive stepped back, instantly missing the warmth of his arms.

She stared up at him, questions trying to form on her lips. Questions about them. About their future.

But before any of them could be released, the door opened, and Monty stepped inside. “Good work, you two. I’m glad that we can all finally put this behind us.”

Olive stepped farther away from Jason. “I can only imagine.”

Monty stared at the two of them a moment. “I just realized that you two were probably the ones who called about the dead body of the nurse found in that bunker out of town.”

Olive nodded, not bothering to hide that fact. “If I told you we’d been there, our whole investigation would have been compromised. I’m sorry about that.”

“That’s okay. I’m just glad she was found and that her family can have some closure. My impression is that she knew what was happening with Rebecca and threatened to take action. These guys were determined to silence her so their plan wouldn’t be ruined.”

“What about the rest of the guys?” Olive asked. “The ones Ellis hired?”

“We’ve been tracking them down. Ellis is singing like a canary, trying to get a deal out of it.”

“Does Ellis own the land where the nurse was found?” Olive asked.

Monty’s eyebrows rose. “Actually, Dr. Darren Peters does.”

“I remember Mitzi saying something about how his grandfather had been a prepper and had some type of shelter in place for it.” Olive hadn’t connected the dots at the time, but now it made sense.

“That’s exactly what it was,” Monty continued. “He kept upgrading it with new technology. After he passed, it appears Darren thought it could be a fun hideout where no one would find him. Then when he and Ellis connected, they began using that for this new scheme they’d concocted.”

“I’m assuming the doctor has been arrested?” Jason asked.

Monty gave an affirming nod. “He's in custody now.”

Olive glanced over Monty’s shoulder and saw the door opened to an interrogation room across the way.

As the detective stepped out, she spotted Rebecca sitting inside.

“Is there any chance I could talk to Rebecca?” Olive knew it was a long shot, but she asked anyway.

Monty grimaced. “I’m not sure the chief is going to go for that.”

“Could you ask him? I’d be happy to share all the evidence we’ve gathered. But I just have a few more questions for her.”

Monty stared at her another moment before nodding. “Let me see what he says.”