Chapter 8, Section 8

"The lieutenant?" Hawk frowned. "Where'd you see him?"

"Right over there." She pointed at the meadow behind them. "He was talking to some guy - some Australian, and..."

"Australian?" Hawk turned to Stan with a look of surprise.

"What happened?" Stan said quickly; there were questions he didn't want Hawk to ask. "How'd you get away?"

"Someone came by - a man with a dog - I ran for it."

"What do you think he wanted from you?" Stan asked, wishing Hawk hadn't come. There were things he needed to talk to her about - things he needed to do - but Hawk was following every word she said with avid interest.

"I don't know!" Cassie said with a shrug. "He said I kept being where I wasn't supposed to be, but I think he came on purpose to see me. Lisa knows him, Stan. She keeps sending me places and he's always there."

"Who's Lisa?" Hawk demanded.

"The woman who lives here," Stan said hurriedly. "She's not important."

"A wachee? How does Fisher know this wachee woman?"

Stan ignored him. "Cassie..."

"Fisher knows my father, too," Cassie said. "He introduced him to my mom, and Stan, you won't believe this..."

Stan panicked; she couldn't talk about these things in front of Hawk. He had to shut her up. In desperation he did the first thing that came to mind; reached out and pulled her close, burying her words in a passionate kiss. She lost her balance and clung to him, pressed against his chest. Her lips were yielding under his and Stan couldn't help himself; he tightened his arms around her, losing himself in the feel of her body. She smelled heavenly, like soap and lavender. And she felt wonderful, her skin soft and warm under his hands.

Cassie stiffened and Stan came back to th's face, rigid with astonishment and something else - anger, Stan thought. Cassie pushed against him and Stan knew he had to let her go.

But first there was something he had to do.

As he tightened his arms around her again she gave a little shriek and Hawk stepped forward as if he would intervene. Stan swept one hand up under her thick brown curls and touched the back of her neck. Cassie shivered and stilled as his fingers ran over her skin.

There. Oh my God. He let go of her and she stumbled backward.

"Cassie? Are you out there?" A wash of light flooded the front yard as Lisa swung the door open.

"I'll be right there," Cassie called in a shaky voice. She was breathing heavily, staring at Stan as if she'd never seen him before.

"What are you doing out here in the dark?" Lisa stepped onto the porch and peered toward them.

"Just getting some air." Cassie appealed to Hawk. "She's drugging my mom," she whispered. "She won't let her wake up. I need your help. I need to talk to Jay - soon." Stan felt a stab of jealousy as she placed her hand on Hawk's arm. "You need to take me to him."

Hawk frowned down at her. "I can't..."

"Please!"

"Cassie! What are you doing?" Lisa called again.

"I've got to go," Cassie said. She darted back up the path and disappeared inside, leaving Stan feeling like he'd been gutted and flayed; she didn't care for him at all - it was Hawk she wanted, even though Hawk wouldn't cross the street to help her kind. Or would he? Stan wasn't sure anymore; he wasn't sure of anything.