Eli took a step forward as well. “So you have something to hide.”
Hale’s expression didn’t change, but Delaney caught the flicker of something cold in his eyes.
“I have confidentiality to uphold,” Hale replied. “But perhaps this will help ease your suspicions.” He lifted a hand in a gesture to hold offmore questions and pressed a button on his desk phone. “Send her in.”
Delaney kept her expression neutral as the office door opened. But the second she saw the girl who stepped in, surprise coiled low in her gut.
Ava Camden.
Delaney hadn’t expected to see her. She was sure Hale would keep her out of sight, hidden away until he could manipulate the narrative. But there she was, walking into the office with quiet confidence and curiosity in her eyes.
Hale stood smoothly. “Agents, this is Ava Camden. Ava, these are the investigators who have been looking into the… misunderstanding with your sister. This is Delaney Hart and Eli Tarrant. They both work for a private security company, Crossfire Op.”
Delaney gave a brief nod. “Ava. It’s good to meet you.”
Ava nodded back. “You too.”
Delaney studied her carefully. Ava looked good. Better than Delaney had thought she would. No visible bruises. No signs of being sedated or neglected. Her clothes were clean, her posture steady, and her gaze direct. It was a far cry from how Olivia had looked when they’d rescued her.
Still, Delaney knew better than to trust appearances. The Hale Institute had all the right curtains and none of the right windows. What they were shown could be carefully orchestrated, especially with someone like Cyrus Hale pullingthe strings.
“We wanted to ask you a few questions,” Delaney said gently.
Ava glanced at Hale, who gave a small, reassuring nod.
“Okay,” Ava said. “I’ll answer what I can.”
They all sat, the tension barely concealed beneath the polished surface of Hale’s office. Delaney and Eli took the two chairs opposite Ava while Hale moved behind his desk and folded his hands like a benevolent overseer.
Delaney leaned forward slightly, keeping her tone soft. “Ava, how are you doing?”
Ava didn’t hesitate. “I’m getting better. But I’m not finished with my treatment yet.” Her voice was steady, her words crisp. Too crisp. Like something she’d practiced or been coached to say.
Eli tilted his head slightly. “You were placed here against your will. Do you want to leave now?”
There was a beat of silence. Ava’s fingers curled against the arm of her chair, and her shoulders rose in a tight breath. “No. I don’t want to go.”
Delaney caught the flicker of Ava’s gaze darting toward Hale. He didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just watched.
Ava’s throat moved with a swallow, and her voice was quieter when she added, “At first I was angry. I resented my grandfather for sending me here. But now I’m glad. I needed help, and I’m getting it.”
Delaney exchanged a quick look with Eli. The girl’s answers were just polished enough to raise a red flag. Whatever truth was buried inside them had been smoothed out, and that nervous glance toward Hale hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Your mom and sister are really worried about you, Ava. They’d like you to come home.” Delaney kept her voice gentle, trying to cut through whatever fog or fear might be gripping the girl.
Ava’s mouth tightened. Her fingers gripped the armrests of her chair. “It’s not safe there. I don’t want to see them.”
Delaney’s thoughts immediately went to the worst-case scenario. Had Hale or his cronies done something to her? Or had someone twisted the truth so hard that Ava no longer knew what was real?
“Why do you think it’s not safe?” Delaney pressed.
Ava looked straight at her. “Because I think Olivia wants me dead.”
Even though that wasn’t the first time Delaney had heard Ava say something like that, the chill raced through her, and she could feel Eli tense beside her.
“Why would you think that?” Eli asked.
Ava hesitated, as if she hadn’t expected to say it aloud. “Because if I die, the trust fund I’m to inherit from my great-grandparents doesn’t go back into the family estate or to my mom. It goes to Olivia. She’d get it all.”
