Page 44 of Unburied

“How did he feel about Christine’s death?” Mason probed.

George lifted one shoulder, sympathy creasing his weathered expression. “I don't know. Russ was a tough nut to crack. Never could quite tell exactly what he was thinking. Seemed to take it pretty hard, though. He seemed mad. Bitter, kind of, you know?”

“I can understand that,” Mason replied. “What about after Vivi moved in?”

“Can't say I remember exactly,” George said, staring off into space as he reminisced about the past. “Come to think of it, I think he was more upbeat than I had seen him in a long time. I think that's what surprised me so much when he left. It was like he just picked up and left everything behind. I thought maybe it was another woman. I never did find out for sure.”

A sick sensation roiled in Mason's stomach. He had a terrible inkling that George was partially correct, except the woman in question had been a ten-year-old girl. Mason didn't want to say anything to George and ruin his perception of an old friend, so he kept his mouth shut. “Thanks for your time,” Mason said to George as he climbed to his feet. “I really appreciate it.”

“Let me know if you find anything out, if you would. Be nice to see him again,” George replied.

Mason nodded. “I'll do that.”

The more Mason learned, the more he felt they were on the right track. If his daughter had gotten pregnant, he would want to know who the father was. Had Ellen suspected Russ, or had she trusted him implicitly? Maybe there were old hospital records, something that could help. If they could just determine if Russ was, in fact, Tyler’s father, that would give Ellen even more motive to kill him. But why stay with him if she suspected him of raping her daughter? It was all so frustrating.

Mason headed home toward Vivi’s house with more questions than answers. But the thought of seeing Vivi again sent anticipation racing through his veins. When he wasn’t physically with her, he found himself thinking about her more and more. He tried to play it cool at work, but it got harder with every day that passed.

Mason wanted everyone to know that Vivi was his, that they were together. Knox was going to be pissed, no doubt about that. He just prayed Knox would accept their decision with as little drama as possible.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FIVE

Mason lay sprawled across the bed sideways, one knee bent and pointing to the ceiling, his head resting on Vivi’s stomach. With one hand, she raked her fingers through his hair, gently massaging his scalp.

“Did you know the rarest M&M color is brown?”

She laughed when he let out a groan. “Come on, babe, not now. My blood still hasn’t returned to my brain.”

At that, she laughed even harder. By now, Mason knew that staying quiet wasn’t her strong point.

With a resigned sigh, he rolled his head toward her. “M&M stands for Mars and Murrie, the two men who came up with the candy.”

“A dentist invented cotton candy.”

“Bet that was good for business.” He grinned. “Pineapple can be used as a natural meat tenderizer.”

“Good to know.” She tapped her chin. “Bananas grow upside down.”

“McDonald’s once tried to make bubblegum flavored broccoli.”

“Ewww…” She wrinkled her nose. “That’s disgusting.”

“So is regular broccoli.” Mason rolled to his side so he lay next to her. “I need a shower. Come with me.”

“Maybe.”

Mason framed her face with one huge hand, squeezing her jaw. His gaze caressed every inch of her face, and she felt almost self-conscious under the scrutiny. “What?”

“Just you. I’m always amazed by how beautiful you are.”

His words sent acute pleasure curling through her, along with a slight tinge of embarrassment. Those golden eyes twisted her insides into knots, sending a strange sensation shooting through her heart. She was terrified to examine it too closely because she was almost certain she knew what it meant... and she wasn't ready to admit it yet, not to herself and not to Mason.

She swallowed hard and pasted on a playful smile. “I thought you were getting in the shower?”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, a smile curving his lips. “If you help me soap up, I’ll return the favor.”

She pretended to think it over. “All right,” she agreed, bouncing from the bed. “I’ll be there in one second.”