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"Like what?"
"Small drone with a camera or a long range camera?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"I'm two blocks away, and this old apartment building might offer a good view to the 11th floor."
Some papers rattled on the other side before she answered. "Yeah, I'll see what I can do. Meet me in an hour at the Costco gas station."
Chapter 15
Lucy felt self-conscious in her tight floral print dress and pink heels, but she wasn't going to pass up her free ticket to the art event. She'd gone to the art museum today and won. Everyone who worked there had been jealous and had offered to buy her ticket, but she was curious. She'd never been to a fancy art auction and dinner before.
So she'd gone all out with the dress, heels, and makeup. She'd even done her brown eyes with sultry evening make-up the way Taylor had taught her.
When she arrived at the estate, she followed the crowd up the stairs and into a large ballroom. People mingled as waiters brought appetizers and wine. She smiled and nodded but couldn't bring herself to just jump into a group's conversation.
She settled on the edge of the room where tables were set up. The silent auction had started and people walked around. She was enjoying herself when a hand settled on her shoulder.
She turned around and gasped, her heart skipping a beat in excitement. "Mason, what are you doing here?"
He frowned, looking down at her with a thunderous expression. "I'm working. What are you doing here?"
She shrugged. "I won a ticket at the art museum today. I'm glad you're here because I was feeling out of place with all these people. How was your day?"
Mason looked over his shoulder and ground out through clenched teeth, "Lucy, I said I'm working. You need to leave."
Her eyes widened. He was watching someone, spying for the FBI. She looked around slowly, not seeing anything out of place or even who he might be watching.
"Why? I don't see anything dangerous or unsafe. People are having a good time, Mason. I'm not going to pry into your business—I don't need to know. But if it's ok for everyone else to be here, then surely it's ok for me too?"
He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled a tight smile. He nodded as someone passed them, but she could still see the tension around his mouth.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt," he said gruffly.
Her heart skipped a beat at his words, but his expression said he was reluctant. Was he frustrated because he cared for her? Or did he feel responsible because of their grandparents putting them in this situation?
She wasn't sure which one she wanted to be true. Did she actually want a relationship with him?
The lights flickered and people began to sit at the tables in the center of the ballroom. She frowned but Mason sighed.
"Damn it, stay close to me, alright? If anyone asks, I work for the Crimson Creek police force, and we're here on our honeymoon."
Lucy's eyes widened as he led them to a table on the opposite side of the room. Two older couples were already seated, and Mason introduced them.
Lucy shook the hand of the lady next to her as Mason pulled her chair out. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I absolutely love your dress."
They chit chatted as their food was placed in front of each of them. Lucy had already taken a few bites when a short, petite blond in a long flowing maxi dress joined them with her boyfriend.
Her blond wasn't natural. Lucy had worked enough in salons to know that kind of color took high-maintenance. She also had her doubts about the naturalness of her breasts.
Her boyfriend was shorter but built like a gym rat. With his black hair slicked back and slitted eyes, the hair on her neck stood on end. There was something off about him. Perhaps it was the cold, empty expression in his eyes as he looked at her and nodded a greeting.
Lucy pasted a smile on her face and nodded at them both, forcing herself to swallow the bite that had turned bitter.
The woman smiled with bright pink lips and sat next to Mason. He turned stiffly and nodded hello as he chewed his food.
"Sorry we're late, Aunt Edna," the woman said to the older woman next to Lucy.
