Page 47 of Enigma

“Death is often more convenient than prison.” Elena smirked.

“You followed me here?”

Elena shrugged. “Something like that. Now, are you going to listen to my offer, or do we need to do this the hard way?”

Elena reached into her jacket, most likely where she’d stashed a weapon—probably a gun, possibly a knife. Olive had no idea how the woman had gotten it through security, but where there was a will, there was a way.

Olive glanced around. The bathroom was small and enclosed, with no room to run. Her only advantage was that Elena probably wanted to keep this quiet, avoid drawing attention in a crowded airport.

“I’m listening.” Olive took a half-step closer, her entire body poised for action.

Elena’s hand paused. “Smart girl. My employer is prepared to offer you two million dollars to walk away. Cash, untraceable, deposited in whatever account you specify. All you have to do is forget Lloyd Stewart exists and never mention Oasis, Texas, again.”

“Two million?” Olive took another small step. “That’s a lot of money. Why is this so important?”

“Because some secrets are worth more than money.” Elena’s fingers found whatever she was reaching for. “What’s your answer?”

Olive launched herself forward.

Elena was fast, but Olive had the advantage of surprise and momentum. She grabbed Elena’s wrist as she tried to draw what looked like a small pistol from a shoulder holster. They crashed into the bathroom counter, fighting for control of the weapon.

Elena was stronger than she looked, with wiry muscles. She threw a punch into Olive’s ribs, trying to break her grip.

Olive held on and used Elena’s own momentum to slam her hand against the mirror.

The gun clattered to the floor and skittered under the sinks.

Elena swung a fist that Olive barely dodged. The fist whistled past her ear as Elena followed up with a knee aimed at Olive’s stomach.

Olive twisted away and grabbed Elena by the throat, her fingers finding the pressure points she’d learned in her self-defense training.

Elena’s eyes widened as Olive’s grip tightened. She clawed at Olive’s hands, trying to break free, but Olive held on with grim determination. This woman had tried to kill Lloyd. She’d threatened Jason. She was connected to whatever had happened to Olive’s family.

“Who are you working for?” Olive hissed, maintaining the pressure on Elena’s throat. “Who’s behind all this?”

Elena’s response was a gurgling sound. Her face turned red, then purple, as she struggled to breathe. Her hands fumbled weakly at Olive’s arms.

Olive realized she was squeezing too hard. Elena’s struggles were growing weaker, her eyes rolling back.

She loosened her grip just enough to let Elena breathe. But she kept the woman pinned against the bathroom counter.

“Answer me,” Olive demanded.

Instead, Elena went limp in Olive’s arms.

CHAPTER 30

Olive checked Elena’s pulse.

It was still strong. She was just unconscious.

Olive dragged the woman into the largest stall and propped her up on the toilet. Then she retrieved the gun and tucked it into her waistband.

She quickly searched Elena’s pockets and found a cell phone and a hotel key card. She pocketed both, then closed the stall. Using her fingernail in the small slit in the metal, she locked the door from the outside.

That should buy her some time before Elena woke up or anyone else discovered her condition.

Olive quickly turned toward the mirror. Her hands shook as she checked her appearance. Her shirt was wrinkled and her hair messed up. But it was nothing that would draw immediate attention.