Page 55 of Enigma
“There’s an organized effort to keep us away from this.” Olive nodded emphatically. “They haven’t killed us yet—they’ve only tried to slow us down. But that doesn’t mean they won’t get desperate.”
Before Dean could respond, there was a knock on the interview room door. Another officer stepped in and whispered something to Dean. Dean excused himself and stepped outside for a few minutes.
When he returned, he wore a slight smile. “Well, this is your lucky day. I just spoke with Dr. Schmitt, the doctor who runs the practice now. He’s agreed to drop the breaking and entering charges.”
Relief washed over Olive. “He did? Why?”
“Professional courtesy, he said. He knew Lloyd when he bought the practice, said Lloyd was a good man who helped a lot of people.” Dean closed his notepad. “So you’re free to go.”
“Just like that?” Jason raised his brow.
“Just like that. But Jason . . .” Dean leaned forward. “If you really think Lloyd is in danger and there’s some kind of criminal organization involved, you need to be careful.”
“That’s the goal.”
Dean glanced around before lowering his voice and saying, “There’s someone you should talk to, someone who might be able to give you some insight.”
“Who?” Jason asked.
Olive held her breath as she waited for Dean’s answer.
CHAPTER 36
“Former Police Chief Daniel Patterson. He retired two years ago, but he was here for thirty years. If anyone has any knowledge about criminal activity in this area, he’d be the one.” Dean stood. “But I wouldn’t recommend waking him up in the middle of the night. Wait until morning.”
“Of course,” Jason said. “Thanks for the tip.”
They gathered their belongings—phones, wallets, Jason’s lock-picking kit—and prepared to leave.
At the front desk, Dean pulled Jason aside. “I’m talking to the police chief and trying to convince him to give you the benefit of the doubt. But he’s not happy. I would keep a low profile if I were you.”
Jason nodded. “Copy that.”
Dean paused, his lips tugging down in a frown. “Should I call Chelsea? Let her know you’re in town?”
Jason hesitated.
Olive knew Chelsea would want to help, but she’d also worry.
“Can you wait?” Jason finally asked. “I’d like to tell her myself, but I want to have more answers first. I don’t want to scare her unnecessarily.”
Dean nodded. “I understand.”
As another officer drove them back to their rental SUV, Olive felt the weight of how close they’d come to losing everything.
But neither Olive nor Jason spoke about any details until after they were dropped off and inside the Tahoe.
“I remember Patterson,” Jason murmured. “He was tough but fair. Dean is right—if anyone would know about criminal activity connected to Dad’s practice, it would be him.”
“Do you think we can trust him?”
Jason shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
Olive and Jason said very little on the drive to the hotel. They were both seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Olive knew she was.
There were so many unanswered questions, and she just wanted answers.
But answers, as always, felt just out of reach.
