Page 9 of Enigma (Pros and Cons Mysteries #6)

T he 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 His silver hair was disheveled against the white pillows, and his usually neat appearance had been replaced by a hospital gown that made him seem fragile and older than his sixty-eight years.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.”

“Yes, it has been.”

“The nurse said you’re the one who found me.” Lloyd studied her so intensely that she wanted to cringe.

She kept her chin raised, just as she’d always been taught.

Only show weakness if it works to your advantage.

More sage advice from her dad.

“Thank you,” Lloyd finally said.

She swallowed hard, trying still not to show the tension she felt. “I’m glad I got there when I did.”

Lloyd looked between her and Jason, and even in his weakened state, Olive could see him processing the situation. Lloyd hadn’t been expecting her and Jason to reconnect. He might not even be comfortable with it, which she wouldn’t blame him for.

Olive had found out years after the fact that her dad had blackmailed Jason’s mom, telling her Olive was pregnant with Jason’s child. She hadn’t been. It had just been another one of her dad’s ploys to get money.

The thought disgusted her.

Olive understood why Jason hadn’t said anything to his dad about running into her. There wasn’t anything to share.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.

Olive remained near the door, giving the two men space.

“Jason, you look terrible,” Lloyd finally said, his expression growing concerned. “How long have you been here?”

“I just got here. I drove down from Atlanta as soon as Olive called.” Jason pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. “Dad, I have to ask—what happened? Do you remember anything?”

Lloyd’s brow furrowed as he tried to concentrate.

“I was in the living room, going through some old papers when someone rang the doorbell.” He paused, his gaze growing distant.

“I answered, and a woman was there. She said her car broke down and asked to use my phone. Said she’d accidentally left hers at home and talked about what terrible timing it was to not have her cell phone with her.

Said her car didn’t usually break down, that it was usually very reliable. ”

So many coincidences, Olive mused. Too many.

“What did this woman look like?” Jason prompted.

“Middle-aged, professional. Brown hair, maybe five-six.”

Jason nodded slowly. “And? What did you tell her?”

“I said yes.” Lloyd shrugged “She seemed nice enough.”

“Did you invite her inside?” Jason continued to press, a look of trepidation on his face.

Lloyd frowned but finally nodded. “I did. It was terribly hot outside, and I didn’t want to stand there with the door open.”

“What happened next?” Olive asked, sensing that Jason wanted to jump in with a lecture about never letting strangers inside your home.

Lloyd’s eyes glazed over a minute. “I gave her my cell phone, she made a call, and said her brother was on his way. She handed my phone back, and I turned to put it on the table. That’s when . . .”

“That’s when what?” Jason asked.

Olive wrapped her arms over her chest, her knuckles going white. But she remained silent as she waited for him to finish.

“When I turned around . . .” Lloyd touched the spot behind his ear where they’d found the puncture wound. “I felt a sharp prick. Then everything went fuzzy very quickly.”

“She injected you with something,” Olive said.

“Must have. The next thing I remember clearly is waking up here at the hospital.”