Kissed Blind (Hot Pursuit #2)(90)

He grunted.

“Could you look at me for two seconds?”

He turned his head and looked at me for exactly two seconds before returning his gaze back to the red numbers.

I slouched and looked down at my boots. “Thanks.” The elevator dinged, and the opportunity had vanished.

Various people shuffled about Oliver’s apartment. Cici had hired a moving company to box up Oliver’s things; she’d had Camille’s sent home first thing when they’d arrived back in town.

Oliver came out of the kitchen and set an empty coffee mug down on the island. “Hey, there you guys are. It’s the final day and you’ll finally be rid of me.”

I smiled despite the sadness I felt. “Are you excited to be going back home soon? You have to be tired of living on location for so long.”

“Normally I would be. I’m not too sure what I’ll be going back to, so it could be interesting.”

I cringed. “I guess so.”

“We should get moving.” He clapped his hands together. “Cici, you’ll be along when this is through?”

“Yep, they only need to finish packing up your bedroom and loading the truck. Shouldn’t be more than an hour.” She looked over at Vance and her eyes said she wanted to go with us, but we would be taking the final drive on set without her this morning.

We arrived on scene to as much fanfare as we always did and perhaps more knowing it was the last day. After we were through the gates, Oliver took us to his trailer.

“I wanted to take a second to speak to you two privately, away from Cici. Come in.” Oliver shut the door to his trailer and locked it. “I appreciate you both not saying anything to her about what happened. She’s aware that Camille and I have drifted apart, and all she knows is we’re separating, so thank you for that.”

“We assumed a certain discretion,” Vance offered.

“I appreciate that. It’s a mess already, and the fewer people who know what happened, the better. I’d rather she not be dragged into this.”

“I can understand that, sir.” Vance nodded.

“What I told you regarding Lindy Hollon.” He looked from Vance and then to me.

“Don’t mention it. It’s not our story to tell,” I said.

Oliver bobbed his head. “It could be highly destructive information, but should anything happen to me, you know the truth.”

“Why not tell someone?” I asked. “Then you won’t have to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”

“It was so many years ago and a lot of great things have come from Lindy’s death. Her family has moved on and has created her foundation. They’ve healed as much as they can from the tragedy. To tell this now could rip open an old wound. It would be selfish of me. And Camille was right about one thing. There’s no proof anymore.”

“What? Why?” I asked.

“Lindy was cremated. All of the evidence that could have been there has been destroyed. If it came out, it would be for the sole purpose of hurting Camille. It’s just not how I am.”

“But she tried to kill you.” I grimaced.

“She’s a desperate woman and feels her fame slipping away. But as desperate as she is, two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“Oliver! They need you in wardrobe now!” Cadence pounded on his trailer door.

“Be there in a minute,” Oliver answered.

“No, now Oliver.” She pounded again.

Oliver sighed. “I guess it’s time to get into wardrobe before she bites my head off.”

He left, and the day wore on like all the rest. I savored the experience and said goodbye to the people I’d come to know. By the time the sun lowered in the sky, filming in Cincinnati had wrapped.

As our final duty, we were to drive Oliver and Cici directly to the airport. Cici had snuggled up to Vance as much as she could during the day, but the tearful goodbye was coming.

We pulled up to the drop off area outside the airport and exited the Rover. Vance gathered what luggage they were taking with them from the trunk and set it at the curb. A couple baggage handlers loaded it onto a cart.

Vance walked to Cici and hugged her. As happy as I was to see her go, I still hated to see someone cry. Cici fought the tears as hard as she could, but they streamed down her cheeks anyway. Vance wiped one away and whispered something to her that made her smile. She picked up her carry-on and walked through the automatic doors.

Oliver stood in front of me and extended his hand. “Diana, it’s been a real pleasure.”

I shook his hand and then hugged him. “I’m sad to see you go. It was nice working with you. If you’re ever filming here again, look us up.”

“I wouldn’t hesitate for one second.” He extended his hand to Vance. “Until next time.”

Vance smiled. “Take it easy when you get home.”

Oliver picked up his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. He walked toward the automatic doors, and Vance and I approached our car.

“Oh, Diana?”

I stopped from opening my door, and Vance glanced over the roof toward Oliver. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry again. Truly.”

I nodded. “Be careful getting home.”

In a flash, he was gone. Vance and I loaded into the Rover and headed to the office for our meeting with Cavanaugh.