Page 104 of Enigma
“I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“No, but you’re the one who had the courage to keep digging when it would have been easier to walk away. You’re the one who risked everything to find the truth.” Tom’s voice grew softer. “I’m proud of you. So proud. You’ve always been like a daughter to me, and watching you tonight . . . I know your parents would be proud too.”
As if summoned by his words, one of the FBI agents approached them. “Ms. Sterling? We’re going to need a full debriefing, but that can wait until tomorrow. You’ve been through enough for one night.”
Tom nodded to the agent, then looked back at Olive. “Go get some rest. Check on Jason. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” Olive said. “For everything. For letting me live with you, for never giving up on finding the truth, for coming tonight even though you knew it was dangerous.”
“That’s what family does,” Tom said simply. “We show up for each other.”
As he walked back toward his car, Olive stood watching the controlled chaos around her and realized that, despite everything she’d lost, she still had people who loved her unconditionally. People who would risk their lives for her just as she would for them.
The nightmare that had started eight years ago was finally over. And maybe, just maybe, the future could be something beautiful.
CHAPTER 67
ONE WEEK LATER
The small cemetery behind the old church in Indiana was peaceful in the late afternoon light. Ancient oak trees cast long shadows across weathered headstones, and a gentle breeze stirred the wildflowers that had grown up around the older graves.
Olive stood before three simple granite markers, her hand intertwined with Jason’s. The inscriptions were brief but heartfelt:James Sterling - Beloved Father,Margot Sterling - Beloved Mother, andJessica and Julia Sterling - Our Angels.
“I never thought I’d find peace here,” Olive said, her voice just above a whisper. “But knowing the truth about what really happened that night . . . it changes everything.”
Jason’s arm was still in a sling, but he squeezed her hand with his good one. “I’m glad you finally have answers.”
“Me too.”
A moment of reverent silence passed.
Then Jason asked, “How’s Tevin doing? I haven’t heard any updates in the past couple of days.”
“Better. He lost a lot of blood, but the doctors say he’ll make a full recovery. He’s already complaining about the hospital food and asking when he can get back to work.” She smiledslightly. “Nova’s been bringing him crossword puzzles, and Trick smuggled in some of those terrible action movies he loves.”
“And you?” Jason raised his eyebrows.
“I brought him some dill-pickle-flavored chips and some Chinese food.” Olive smiled as she remembered their time together. Things felt like they were like old times with no weirdness between them.
“I’m sure he appreciated that.”
Olive looked up at him. “And how about your dad? How is he doing?”
“Physically, he’s fine. Emotionally . . . it’s going to take time. Finding out Nancy had been undercover hit him hard, even though she was protecting him.”
“I can only imagine. But I’m glad he’s okay.”
“He’s cooperating with the authorities, so I’m hopeful that he won’t get any prison time. Only time will tell.”
Olive nodded, crossing her arms against the cool breeze that swept over the cemetery. “Speaking of which, you never told me exactly how you found me at the warehouse.”
Everything had been a whirlwind, and they hadn’t had much time to talk since the incident at the warehouse.
Jason shifted, wincing slightly as his shoulder protested. “When you didn’t check in, Mitzi and I moved closer to the house. We found a tripwire around the perimeter—motion sensors. We knew it was a trap, so we deliberately set it off to create a distraction.”
“That was risky.”
“By the time we did that, Rex had arrived with backup. He’d been coordinating with the FBI since you first called him about the trafficking operation. We followed you to the warehouse, but we had to wait for the federal teams to get into position before we could move.”
