“I haven’t spoken to her all night,” he replied.
“Really? Well, she picked me up in your new car; I just figured you would have known.”
He raised his eyebrows. “New car?”
“A Mercedes?” I answered. “She picked me up in it around three this morning.”
“I’ll bet its Drake’s new car,” he said. “I only have my Cherokee and the squad car.”
“Well, maybe I just misunderstood her,” I said.
The truth of the matter was, I didn’t understand anything that happened after she’d picked me up. The entire time I’d been with her, she’d seemed more secretive than usual and appeared almost giddy when I’d found Ethan with the two girls.
“Maybe. I’m just glad you’re back with your family,” said Caleb.
“How did Celeste find you?” asked Nathan.
“It’s a long story,” I mumbled. I wasn’t even sure what had happened myself.
“I told Caleb about the girl you found earlier,” said Nathan.
“Yeah, we’re looking into it,” said Caleb.
“It was Faye Dunbar,” I said. “You need to investigate her.”
“She has an alibi,” said Caleb. “I already questioned her.”
Of course.
My mom yawned. “We should get back to the cabin. It’s very late and we could all use the rest.”
“What about you, sweetheart? You doing okay?” Caleb asked, rubbing my mom’s shoulders.
“I um…I’m fine,” she murmured.
His eyes narrowed. “Do we need to talk?”
“It is really late,” I interrupted. “We should get back to the cabin, mom.”
“I’ll drive you guys back,” said Caleb.”
“No,” I said, “Sonny’s already volunteered.”
Caleb turned to Sonny. “You sure?”
Sonny nodded. “It’s no problem at all. I’ve been meaning to check out their boat anyway. Make sure Nathan winterized it properly.”
“Okay, well thanks, Sonny. Listen, hon,” said Caleb, turning back towards my mother. “I’ve got to go and look for that Ethan character. You make sure you get some sleep. I want you raring to go when it comes time to catch our plane tomorrow morning. Okay?”
“Of course,” she said, not meeting his eyes as he studied her.
“Caleb, if you’re looking for Ethan, he was at Club Nightshade the last time I looked,” I said.
“Okay, thanks,” he replied. “Listen, Nikki, you have to say away from Ethan,” he said. “That kid is bad news. When I get my hands on him, he’s in deep shit. Are you sure you don’t want to press kidnapping charges?”
I shook my head and could tell he was relieved.
“Okay, then,” he said, “But, if you change your mind, just let me know.”
“Sure,” I said.
After Caleb left, Sonny released a long breath. “Now that I know what he really is, it scares the hell out of me.”
“I had to drive around with him,” complained Nathan. “Every time he looked at me, I wondered if I was a goner.”
Duncan sighed. “Caleb’s not going to attack you. He definitely wants your mom and isn’t going to do anything that might jeopardize that relationship.”
“Oh, God…what am I going to do?” moaned my mom, sitting down on a chair. “He still expects me to go.”
“You need to get out of town,” said Sonny. “You can’t stay in Shore Lake anymore. In fact, it’s not safe for you or Nikki. I’m going to make some calls and see if I can find a safe place for you.”
“Okay,” she answered, nodding. “I’d appreciate any help you can give us.”
From the look on my mom’s face, I could tell she was more than a little distraught. I grabbed her hand. “Mom, it’s going to work out.”
She nodded in agreement but still looked pensive.
“Duncan? You okay?” asked Nathan.
I turned to stare at Duncan, who appeared to be sweating and shaky.
“I’m fine,” he murmured, clenching and unclenching his fist.
From the way he was acting, I knew exactly what was wrong with him. “You need to feed,” I said.
“I’ll be fine,” said Duncan, stumbling towards the hallway leading towards the bathroom.
I followed him. “Duncan?”
He closed the door and locked it.
I knocked. “Duncan?”
“Leave me alone,” he answered.
“What’s going on?” asked Sonny, standing next to me.
“He has to feed,” I said.
Sonny pounded on the door. “Son? You okay?”
I could hear Duncan groaning in the bathroom. “I’m fine, just leave me alone,” he said.
“What can I do for you?” asked Sonny. “Just tell me.”
“Just leave me be,” growled Duncan.
“I’ll give him some blood,” I whispered. “It will help him.”
Sonny shook his head and began rolling up his sleeve. “The hell you will. If anyone is going to volunteer, it will be me. I’m his father and I’ve got a lot more to spare then you, honey.”
“Go away,” demanded Duncan. “I won’t take it from either of you.”
“Duncan,” I pleaded. “You need to feed.”