Page 171 of Chasing Infinity

I nod my head. “That’s the one. Charlie and I both think these disappearances have something to do with that.”

“You think he took those girls to send a message?” she asks me, her tone incredulous. “That’s ridiculous. He’s the mayor. He wouldn’t risk doing something like that when his entire livelihood is on the line.”

I press my lips into a thin line, letting her say her piece. When she finishes, I glance over at her again. “I don’t think hetookthem personally, but I do think he is involved somehow. He said some cryptic things to Charlie yesterday, and then later that evening, those girls went missing. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

I notice Addison shaking her head out of the corner of my eye. “Noah, that is a serious allegation. If you think he’s involved, call the FBI, call the CIA, or whoever you have connections to.”

“I can’t,” I tell her, my voice becoming frustrated. I reel it in before things get escalated again. “I know I’ve told you this before, but my father is incredibly good at making it appear that he’s not involved.”

She exhales next to me. “I hate to be Devil’s advocate here, but if you keep chasing him and chasing him and keep coming up empty-handed, don’t you think that maybe you’re chasing something that’s not actually there?”

“I can respect that you’d feel that way,” I tell her, keeping my voice level. “But I’m not the only one doing the chasing, you know? Charlie is the one who called me to tell me about this. Charlie’s the one who read those missing persons’ reports, and he’s the one who decided it looked like my father’s MO, and given the threat which came from my father directly, he thought it was enough to suggest that I get out out of town.”

“Has your father done something like this before?” she asks, and I catch the hesitant note in her voice as if she’s afraid to ask that question.

I don’t answer her immediately, pondering the best way to respond. Finally, I say, “Yes, and it has to do with where I’m taking you today. I realize that I’ve left a lot of questions unanswered, and part of that reason is because there are some things that I just can’t explain without you thinking I’ve gone crazy. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to answer your questions by showing you instead.”

She doesn’t ask any more questions, and I’m grateful. I’m unsure how much more I can explain without having in-the-flesh evidence. Finally, I allow myself to turn on the radio, the soft, comforting sound of oldies surrounds the cabin of the SUV, and I let myself relax just a hair. Today isn’t going to be an easy day. I’m not sure how Parks will react to everything I tell her, but I’m hoping she’ll be open to my explanation.

We continue driving into upstate New York, deep into the Silver Lake Wilderness. Addison takes in the surroundings more as we continue deeper and deeper into the forest. I take her down a windy, old gravel road, and she holds onto the handlebars in her SUV as the car rocks and skirts over the rough terrain.

Finally, we get to the driveway to our destination. The gate is open, and I drive the car onto the property and park. As soon as we stop, Addison hops out and looks around. I follow after her, watching warily.

We’re at a residential cabin with blue paneling adorning the exterior. Around the front wraps a wooden porch, a few rocking chairs sitting all alone at one end. Addison puts her hands into her pockets and then gives me an inquiring look.

“Where are we?”

I nod my head toward the front door, and we walk up together. I rap my fist against the wooden door once, twice, then three times. I can vaguely hear footsteps from inside the home, and my pulse picks up at the thought of what’s really about to happen, but I do my best to level it.

This is whatneedsto happen now.

Addison's head whips around toward me as soon as the front door flies open, her eyes flashing with confusion. I dip my chin at her once, acknowledging her unspoken question, and then turn back to my mother, who is physically standing in front of us and not six feet under the ground back in the Willow Heights Cemetery.

My mother’s blue eyes soften when she sees me standing in front of her, then her expression lights up as soon as she recognizes Addison by my side.

Clearing my throat, I glance back at Addison. “Parks, you remember my mother, Catherine?”

Chapter 44

Addison

“Ithought you were dead,” I blurt. My hand flies up to my mouth, and my eyes widen.I can’t believe I just said that.

“Oh no, dear,” Noah’s mother looks at me amused, her bright blue eyes twinkling with something I can’t place. “Catherine McCoy is dead. I, however, am very much alive.”

I shake my head, my hand covering my mouth, moving to rub at my temple. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m sure Noah will fill you in on everything, but let’s get out of the cold. Come on inside.” She waves us in and then turns away, not leaving any room for questions.

I glance at Noah, and he nods his head toward the door. We follow her inside the quaint house. I stop short as soon as I make it to the living room. Seated on the chairs and couches are several young women. The TV is on in front of the sofa, and a few watch whatever reality show is playing. The others busy themselves with books, or a puzzle spread out across the coffee table.

They all stop what they’re doing and look up at us as they enter. Their eyes are all trained on me, specifically. No one seems to pay any attention to Noah standing next to me as if they’re used to him walking in unannounced. An uncomfortable feeling roils around in my stomach.

What the hell is going on here?

“Well, come on, then,” Catherine says, pulling me out of my trance. “Let’s get you two a warm drink.”

Noah’s hand rests lightly on my lower back, applying a little pressure, pulling me back into the present. I look over my shoulder at him, my eyebrows raising in question, and he shakes his head brusquely. “I’ll explain later.”

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