The Shadow Rises

by K.S. Marsden

Six

  It was a long drive to Cumbria the next day. The fact that Brian had taken the precaution of hiding his research across the country, in such a random place, added to Hunter’s fear of the enormity of what they might find.

  Hunter would have gone alone, but James insisted on accompanying him, because how could he help if he wasn’t there. Sophie, with some embarrassment, asked to come because she dare not be alone yet. Charlotte couldn’t take such a trip - Hunter discovered with some dismay that she was suffering with morning sickness.

  So Hunter and James sat in the front, arguing over whether to listen to Grimshaw or Evans, and Sophie sat in the back, reading quietly.

  “So, you gonna to tell us where we’re going?” James eventually asked.

  “Carlisle.” Hunter replied shortly.

  “Carlisle? Christ, we’ll be driving all day!” James twisted in his seat to look back at Sophie, “Hey, Soph, did you know about Carlisle, I mean, did Brian say owt?”

  Sophie glanced up from her book, frowning at the shortening of her name. “No. He never mentioned where he was going. He just used to disappear for a couple of days every fortnight. I just assumed he had a woman somewhere.”

  The two men shuddered at the thought of old Brian with a woman. And all settled in for a long drive.