Page 45 of Chasing Fireflies

*

I’m porch swinging with a beer between my legs, waiting for Cash to pull up. It’s hot out, but a good breeze blows, making it more bearable. I mindlessly pick at the label on my beer and wipe the condensation on my forehead from the bottle. I hear Cash’s truck, and I get up off the swing. He puts it in park, and I walk out to him.

“Got one of those for me?” He smiles.

“I’ve cleaned the fridge and filled it only with beer. Figure the drunkenness will take our mind off of our worries and the fact that we are starving.” I smile, and he laughs.

“Who needs food anyway?”

“Right?” I say, handing him my beer. He takes a sip, and we walk onto the porch. “Maci served Lucas the divorce papers.”

“Oh, yeah?” He opens the door, and I walk in first.

“Yeah, he came up to the library today.”

Cash looks over at me as he removes his ball cap and hangs it by the door.

“And?”

“And he told her he wasn’t letting her go.”

“Where is she?”

“She’s staying at her mom’s house.”

“She safe there?”

“I guess.”

“I talked to the chief about this earlier. He said Lucas used to be a standup guy. Played football in high school. Got into a little trouble like most teens, some fights here and there, but never acted like this.”

“I’m scared to ask Maci, but I wonder if he had anything to do with them losing her child.”

“That’s a good question,” he says. Cash’s new cell phone rings, and he slides it out of his pocket. “Drew?” His eyes lock on mine.

“What?” I ask.

“Yes, sir. Headed over there now.” He grabs his keys from the table and hangs up.

“What is it, Cash?”

“Maci wasn’t safe.”

*

Cash

I pull up to Lucas’ house. Leaving my lights on, I hop out of my truck and call out to Lucas.

“Lucas, it’s Cash. Just come on out of the house.”

I hear a scream, but it’s muffled, and my heart jumps. Shit, that’s Maci. Lights come up behind me, and I see it’s the chief and Deputy Guzman.

“Where is he, son?” Rogers asks once he exits his truck.

“Inside, I’m guessing, and he has Maci with him. I heard her.”

“He’s armed,” the chief says.

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