Page 80 of Dead Man's Alibi

“Well, it is, because if Hayes catches you—”

“It’s a free country.I can park on his street.”

Cal grumbled something she didn’t catch.

But then he spoke clearly.“You need anything?Coffee?Food?”

Sam wasn’t sure why, aftereverythingtoday, his offer was the thing that threatened to break through her resolve.This reminder that there were people who wanted to help.Who wanted to take care of her, whether because they wanted to or on Nate’s behalf.

Like Landon had said, they were all in this together for Nate.

So, yeah, she’d stay awake.“No.Thanks.I’ll check in come morning.Just let Landon and Aly know I won’t be up tonight, if you would.And tell them you approve.”

“Approve.”He snorted disgustedly.But he didn’t argue.“I’ll leave my ringer on tonight.Text if you need anything.And turn on your location so I can track you if you end up getting yourself in trouble.”

“I will.Cal… thanks.”

“Yeah, whatever,” he muttered, then ended the call.

Sam clicked Cal’s contact information and changed permissions so he could track her cell phone.Then she grabbed her purse and rummaged around.She found one Starburst and a smashed granola bar, but it might help get her through the night, so she ate both.She wished she had anything to wash it down with, caffeinated preferably, but she wasn’t going to leave or risk Cal bringing her anything.

She was going to watch Jake Hayes’s house, and if he tried anything fishy, she was going to find out what it was.

Sam did end up dozing here and there, but it wasn’t a deep sleep, so she wanted to believe that if Jake did leave his house, the headlights would wake her up.

She jerked awake on something like a gasp, not sure what had woken her up.Maybe a dream?She scrubbed her hands over her eyes, but before she could look up at Jake’s house, her phone rang.

Jolted by the sudden loud noise, Sam grappled for it.Olivia Underwood was calling her.

At four thirty in the morning.

“Olivia?”Sam answered, breathless and worried and still a little addled from sleep.

“Sam, hi.”

“Hey.Is everything okay?”

“Yes.No.Yes.I don’t…” She inhaled shakily.“I think I might have found some evidence.”

Sam was immediately suspicious.Part of her wanted to jump at any potential evidence, but after the woman had just had dinner—and shared quite the kiss—with Jake, it was hard to believe this was real.Even at four thirty in the morning.

He’d probably set Olivia up to… distract her somehow.Maybe he’d seen her out here and set this phone call up to rattle her.“You should probably take that up with Jake.”

There was a long pause.

“No, I can’t.I… Sam, I think you’re right about your fiancé.I really do.”

Then why were you kissing Jake fucking Hayes last I checked?But Sam couldn’t deny the woman sounded upset.Rattled.

“Could you meet me at the TikTok Motel?”Olivia asked breathlessly.“I think someone’s watching my house, and maybe Honor’s Edge.I really want to show you what I found.”

It sounded and felt like a trick.Everything except the hoarse crack of the woman’s voice.“Please.”Either she was a great actress, or she really was desperate.

“When?”Sam hedged.

“Now.Please?Room124.It’s the one on the end, farthest from the lobby.”

Bad news.She was about to say no or suggest an alternate time when she glanced up at Jake’s house.She sat up straighter, leaning closer to the windshield.The light in the garage window was on.Why would it be on unless he’d left recently?Was that what had woken her up?Headlights?Just not quickly enough to see his truck leave.