Page 15 of Enigma

Simon was an undercover CIA Counterintelligence officer whom Olive met while working a case in Maine.

He was a handsome man in his mid-thirties with curly blond hair and a broad build.

In the brief amount of time Olive had known him, he’d been both a mysterious ally and potential threat.

He’d initially posed as an education consultant from Washington, DC, but throughout her investigation, he’d kept appearing at crucial moments. His true identity had eventually been revealed.

She’d later discovered that he was the Special Operations Director for the Northeast Division of the CIA. Though the agency didn’t usually operate on US soil, he’d been on some kind of special assignment. The CIA was shrouded in mystery, so the fact that his job didn’t make sense actually made sense.

He’d delivered a cryptic message from the man they’d arrested on that case.My boss wants to thank Olive for all the sacrifices her father made.

Somehow, Olive’s father was connected with a dangerous crime boss named Anton Karakov. He was also connected with an organization called Northwood Investment Group. Finding information on the group had been challenging, but Olive knew the organization had been up to no good.

The whole thing was complicated on several levels.

What could Simon be doing here? Or was she seeing things?

In other circumstances, she might go after him.

But she couldn’t. Not now.

“Olive?” Jason called.

She tore her eyes away from the door and looked back at Jason as he held the elevator doors open.

“Everything okay?” Jason asked.

She glanced once more at where Simon—or someone who’d looked like him—had disappeared.

With a nod of resignation, she sighed and headed toward the elevator.

But the thought that Simon might have been here would nag her until she knew why.

CHAPTER 9

The elevator ride to the third floor was silent except for the soft mechanical hum of the motor.

Olive and Jason stood side by side, both staring at the floor numbers as they lit up in sequence. When the doors opened, Jason stepped out first, and Olive followed at a respectful distance.

A moment later, Jason paused outside his father’s door, his hand on the door knob, and took a deep breath.

“Ready?” he asked, though Olive wasn’t sure if he was asking her or himself.

She nodded, and he slowly pushed open the door.

Olive’s breath caught when she saw Lloyd. He looked small in the hospital bed. His silver hair was disheveled against the white pillows, and his usually neat appearance had been replaced by a hospital gown that made him seem fragile and older than his sixty-eight years.

But his eyes were alert when they entered, and his gaze immediately focused on Jason.

“Son.” Lloyd sounded hoarse but relieved.

“Dad.” Jason crossed the room quickly and took his father’s hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a truck.” Lloyd managed a weak smile, then his eyes moved to Olive, who had remained near the door. His breath caught as recognition filled his gaze. “Olive Sterling . . .”

Olive took a step farther into the room, her hands clasped in front of her. “Yes, sir. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“It’s been a long, long time.”