Page 74 of Monsters

“Fine… um… I’m going to shower and head to bed. So, help yourself to whatever.”

B, lost in his world of protection didn’t say another word.

Giving up on the personality war, I headed to my bedroom and closed the door, relieved I’d at least be granted a good night sleep.

~

The digital clock clicked over to 1:00 a.m.

Sleep had evaded me.

I was still wide awake entering numerous Google searches, piecing together the whereabouts of Lucas. In the dark, with just the glow of my cell, I found Carter Construction to have an office in six states. What each state had in common was they were known for their heavily wooded landscapes. Lucas had made a living out of building cabins.

A smile both bittersweet and full of pride formed. Lucas always was the more sentimental of the two. Clicking on the images tab, more photos revealed his handiwork. Brilliant craftsmanship creating a mix of luxury and traditional log cabins. The most recent picture was dated only two days ago from a couple blogging on the process of the construction taking place and naming Lucas as their builder. Reading further I found the location. River Bend, North Carolina.

Opening a new tab, I entered flights from JFK to North Carolina and booked two tickets for mid-morning.

Crawling under the sheets, I wore a smile even with my stomach twisting with nerves. By lunchtime tomorrow I would once again be sharing the same air space as Lucas Carter.

~

“I’m sorry… what?” Kinross looked at me in disbelief. B had called in the big boss when I announced he would be traveling with me to North Carolina.

“I need to see Lucas. And if doing that means I need to take my chaperone with me, then I will,” I replied while pouring three coffees. “I’ve paid for B’s ticket, so it’s at no cost to the department.”

“The money isn’t the issue, Gemma. We haven’t yet cleared Lucas of any wrongdoing and—”

“Lucas isn’t guilty of anything, and certainly is not—”

“And…” he spoke loudly, “… any involvement with him before the case is solved may implicate you.”

“I’m happy to take that chance,” I said, handing each man a mug. “Besides, if Mason Carter is still watching, he’ll see I’m headed straight for Lucas. He was always jealous of our relationship, so this is not something he will ignore. He won’t be able to resist himself.”

Kinross studied me curiously. “And you’d be willing to put yourself in harm’s way?”

I scoffed, cupping the mug with both hands. “Mason has been following me for God only knows how long. He’s like a disease that lays dormant for a while until one day something happens and it’s tickled awake, on the prowl and overrunning your body. No matter what I do or where I go, Mason will find me, and if it means intentionally antagonizing him and putting myself in harm’s way for him to be captured, then I’ll do it.”

---