Matt stood by the window, his shoulders tense as he peered out the window into the night. It was disconcerting to see him so on edge. He wasn’t exactly a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, but once she’d gotten to know him, she’d discovered he had a quick wit and a surprisingly similar sense of humor. Usually, he entertained her with stories about his other jobs and the changes his girlfriend, Penny, was making to his house. So it was even weirder that he’d been so closed off and tense since picking her up.
“It’s getting late. Can’t Eli just meet us at my place? I’m really tired.”
Matt’s lips thinned before he glanced down at his cell phone again. “Eli is almost here. I think he wanted to talk to you first.”
“Okay.” There wasn’t much else to say, so she sat back into the plush cushions of the couch and sipped her cocoa. Someone walked by and she looked up to see the lanky frame of Eli’s older brother, Bennett. He was completely absorbed with reading something on his tablet and almost bumped into the doorframe. He did a double take when he saw Kay on the couch and glanced around as if unsure where he was.
“Oh, hello. I didn’t know we had guests.” He exchanged a handshake with Matt and then sat on the edge of the couch next to Kay. “How have you been?” He pushed up his glasses but didn’t look directly at her.
The palest of the Alexander brothers, with his long slender body and hazel eyes, Bennett always seemed as though he’d accidentally wandered into the wrong family. Conversations with him were usually slightly strange, but Kay had come to enjoy their random interactions. He seemed interested in what she had to say no matter how inconsequential.
“I’ve been great. I was recording some new songs with Jackson tonight. But apparently Eli needs to talk to me, so here I am.”
Bennett’s brow crinkled as he considered her words. “That’s strange. Why wouldn’t he just call you? Or drive to the studio so he didn’t have to interrupt your work?”
She glanced over at Matt again. “I’m not exactly sure.”
Bennett crossed his arms. “If Elliott asked Matthew to bring you here, he must be concerned about your safety. I was doing some research but I think I’ll stick around for a while and keep you company.”
“Okay, thanks. That would be nice. Why don’t you tell me about your research?”
Bennett sat back and placed the tablet in his lap. “Oh, this? I’m just looking into recent legislation regarding GMOs. That’s—”
“Genetically modified organisms, right?”
Bennett smiled then, a genuine smile, and looked at her directly for the first time. “Yes, that’s right. There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding their use and for good reason. However, I’m working on developing several vegetables that can grow under adverse conditions.”
“You are? Geez, all I did today was sing a few love songs.”
Bennett flushed. Even the tops of his ears turned pink. “The arts are a science unto themselves. We need things that make us happy just like we need food.”
While Kay agreed, she was still a little flustered. He was so smart it was kind of scary. “Tell me more about the vegetables you’re working on.”
“Well, I’ve identified a few key crops that would benefit the most. Soy, corn, and wheat to start. Imagine what it could mean for people around the world to have food that grows even through periodic drought or extreme heat. We could end hunger. Or at least make a dent in it.”
Kay tried to follow the conversation, but after too many phrases like easy propagation, mediated transformation, and plant genome, she gave up on understanding. Either way, it was a joy to see Bennett so passionate about something.
And it was definitely better than wondering exactly when Eli would walk through the door.
CHAPTER FOUR
NORMALLY ELI WOULD have ignored his cell phone while driving, but if there was a chance it was Matt calling, he didn’t want to risk missing it.
“This is Eli.”
“Hey man, it’s Matt. I’ve got Kay and we’re at your parents’ house.”
Eli let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. A million and one things had gone through his mind when he’d gotten that figurine. Mainly that this nut job had been in Kay’s apartment. Could in fact be in her apartment at that very moment. All he’d cared about was making sure she was safe. He’d spent the last half hour worrying they’d be assaulted or run off the road before Matt could get them to his parents’ house.
“How is she doing?”
“She’s fine. Just a little annoyed that I interrupted her recording session. I know you wanted to talk to her yourself, but she keeps asking what’s going on. What should I tell her?”
Now that he knew they’d reached his parents’ house safely, he could take a step back and think. Who could have sent the figurine and more importantly, why? When she’d first started receiving threatening letters the previous year, they’d gone through her life with a fine-tooth comb. He’d scrutinized her family and friends, her acquaintances and coworkers. Anyone she came into contact with on a regular basis had been suspect. Everyone had checked out with the exception of the man who’d eventually been arrested. So Eli was forced to face an uncomfortable truth.
He must have missed something.
“Tell her I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and focused on the road. As he passed the familiar streets leading to his parents’ farm, a sense of calm stole over him. By the time he pulled into the long drive leading to the ranch-style home, some of the stress he’d been carrying for the past few hours melted away. He parked behind Matt’s truck and got out.