Read Online Sunshine and the Shadowmaster by Christine Rimmer - Free Book Online Page A

mundane solace of a good meal. It was better than nothing, she supposed.
    â€œCome back to the house with me. I’ll make you some lunch.”
    â€œAren’t you supposed to be working?”
    â€œI’ll call Lily. She’ll shout a lot, but she’ll survive.”
    Lucas studied her for a moment, then shook his head. “Thanks. I’m not hungry.”
    She glanced around. The station was a few miles outside of town and the small parking lot was deserted. “Lucas, please...”
    â€œPlease what?”
    â€œDon’t...give up hope.”
    His lips flattened into a thin line. “I’m not.”
    She scanned his face again. “You look awful. I’m worried about you.”
    â€œListen. Across the river, they’re still searching. I want to get back to them.”
    â€œI know. I just—”
    â€œIt’s all right,” he said. But of course, she knew it wasn’t. “Just go back to work, why don’t you? Just let it be.”
    â€œLucas, if you need me—” She lifted a hand.
    He ducked away. “Don’t.”
    She let her hand drop, thinking of the night before and feeling her face flame. She had almost done it again.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said, and then felt more a fool than before.
    â€œDon’t be. Just go. Go back to work.”
    There seemed nothing else to say. So she turned and fled down the steps to where her car waited. She slid in behind the wheel, shoved the key into the ignition and got out of there as fast as she could.
    * * *
    There were reporters by the gate when Heather got home that afternoon. She told them to stay off her property and that she had no comment to make about the missing Mark Drury or his famous father. But through the rest of the afternoon into the evening, every time she glanced outside, they were there, standing idly by the gate, or sitting in parked cars, biding their time.
    Lucas came in after eight.
    She turned from the counter where she was peeling potatoes to give him a welcoming smile. “Did you have to kill any reporters to get past the gate?”
    He tried to joke about it with her. “Only two. The rest turned and ran.”
    â€œGood. That oughtta teach ‘em.”
    â€œLet’s hope so.”
    There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Heather turned back to the sink. She’d found it painful to look at him. He looked even worse than he had earlier at the sheriff’s station. She couldn’t help feeling that she was witnessing a man being slowly destroyed, from inside, by fear for his son.
    â€œYour housekeeper was here a few hours ago.” Heather scraped at the potato she was peeling as she talked. “I asked her to stay but she was anxious to get back. The things she brought are in your room. Except for the answering machine. That I hooked up myself, so we can be sure we never miss a call, even when we’re outside or something.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I hope that’s okay.”
    He forced a grim smile. “It’s great. Thanks.” Then he excused himself to take a shower, as he had the night before.
    After he finished his shower, dinner was ready. The two of them sat down to eat. They hardly spoke through the meal. And Lucas had to jump up to answer every time the phone rang, which was often.
    Once, after he sat down from taking a call, Lucas looked up and told her, “I’m going to offer a reward. A million dollars. For information leading to Mark’s safe return.”
    â€œCan you afford that?”
    He nodded. “You think it’s enough?”
    â€œYes. I think it’s plenty.”
    When dinner was out of the way, Lucas called his publicist at home to break the news that he still had no idea when or if he could continue with the book tour. Next, he contacted his agent—also at home—and repeated the same thing. After that, he made other calls. He arranged for a