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“What the hell?” Thayer hissed.
“A few responded. Promised to come. They never made it.”
“How?” Willis demands to know.
“The sender asked what route they would take, citing precautions in case they didn’t arrive, a search party would know where to look.”
“And a search party was sent, via the police instead.”
She nods. “Bodies were found. Same manner as the others.”
Thayer and Willis are focused, taking in everything she’s saying. I know both want to do exactly as their captain ordered and get on the road. Yet they seem equally as hesitant to go.
That’s kinda sweet.
I see them exchange a look, talking without words again. “We’ll leave when Jones gets here.”
“He’s sick. Food poisoning. The captain already has a replacement en route. You’ll probably pass Chalmers on the way.”
Thayer nods. “He’s a good cop.” The name seems to appease him, his stance loosening a bit. “Lillian, may I see you a moment?” He doesn’t want for an answer, just turns and heads toward the dining room.
The memory of our interlude in there makes me want to smile, until I remember what Carlton said and all I want to do is cry at the unnecessary loss. I pause at the threshold, entering only when Thayer takes my hand and pulls me inside. I collide with his body and start to apologize, stopping only when I realize he did it on purpose.
“This is nice,” I whisper, snuggling against him.
His fingers thread through my hair, pressing my face to his chest. I inhale, his scent calming me. “Sunbeam, I need you to do something for me.” I immediately agree, knowing he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. “I don’t like this.”
“I don’t either,” I confess, referring not only to those poor women and their families, but also the fact he has to go and I don’t know when, if, he’ll be back.
No. I cannot think that. He will return and we’ll be able to start acting as if we’re a normal couple.
I realize, however, that his instincts are elsewhere. “It feels off.” He shakes his head. “Why wouldn’t Myers just call me or Willis? Why have Carlton tell us?”
Shrugging, I toss out, “Perhaps she was at the station and he knew she was coming here.”
“Plausible, and yet…” Another shake, this one more vigorous. “Maybe it’s because I don’t want to leave you.”
“I don’t want you to either, but you have to.” Placing my palms on his cheek, I vow, “It’s temporary. Soon, this will all be behind us and we can look to the future.” A soft kiss. “Our future.”
“That I like.” This time, Thayer initiates the kiss and it’s deeper, longer. “Soon, sunbeam.”
“Soon.” I can tell he’s still uneasy, so I reassure him with, “I’ll be careful and I remember where the burners are. I’ll grab one. If I need you, I’ll call.”
“Okay.” Another touch of his lips to mine and he walks away, me staring after him, praying that he stays safe.
**Thayer**
Willis grabs his cell and starts dialing. “What are you doing?”
“Calling Myers.”
“But she said…”
“Do you actually give a shit what Carlton said?”
Considering, I respond, “Some, not all.”
“I bet you’re having problems with the same part I am.”
