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Another set of headlights pulled in behind her, but she didn’t let it faze her. She was almost to the office.
However, while she told herself it was nothing, she couldn’t help keep an eye on the rearview mirror.
Was it her imagination or was the car closer?
And coming closer with every passing second.
She flashed her brakes and made ready to make the last turn that would lead her to the office parking lot.
The car behind her slowed.
To follow her or just to avoid rear-ending her, she wasn’t sure.
A drop of sweat dripped down from her hairline and with a start she realized exactly how scared she really was.
Where was her cell phone?
Her stomach dipped.
Had she left it at home?
No, she wouldn’t do that. Bethany might call.
Her purse was on the backseat.
Could she reach back without running off the road?
Lacey made her turn and looked to see if the car followed.
It did.
Pulse now pounding in her throat, she gripped the wheel with her left hand and reached back with her right. On the third try, she managed to snag the strap and yank the purse to the passenger seat beside her.
Blindly, she searched the purse until her fingers curled around the vibrating phone.
Mason.
Shaking, her eyes still on the car behind her, she pressed the button to activate the call. “Mason,” she blurted, “someone’s behind me. I think he’s following me. What do I do?”
“Pull into a parking spot. It’s me behind you.”
Relief nearly wilted her into a puddle in the seat. Then she got mad. “What are you doing following me? You nearly scared me to death!”
“Officer Bleddings decided he’d better call and tell me what you were up to. I decided to make sure you didn’t get yourself killed.”
Anger and thankfulness warred inside her. Disconnecting the call, she put the car in Park and opened the door.
Mason pulled into the space beside her and climbed out, his eyes flashing in the light of the streetlamp. “What do you think you’re doing? Are you insane?”
Not giving her a chance to answer, he led her to the door and waited for her to unlock it. Once they were safely inside, he pulled her around to face him.
Crossing her arms in front of her she notched her chin up. “I’m not insane, although if we don’t find Bethany soon, I may wind up that way. I was at home working on some stuff and I needed something from the office.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“Because I was hoping you were either trying to find Bethany—or asleep. I didn’t want to disturb either one of those activities. And Pete, the security guard, is here—” she looked around and frowned “—somewhere.”
Mason blew out a sigh and raked a hand through his hair. “Is Bethany anything like you?”