Poker Face (The Masks Series Book 4) Read Free Page B

room, closing the door behind him. The lock snapped shut and I stood in the empty space feeling like a lost child. Wrapping my arms around myself, I tripped and stumbled to the window. Inching the curtain aside, I peered into the night sky and gasped.
    I knew exactly where I was and it did nothing to ease my fears.

Chapter 4

    Eric
     
    It was close to midnight. We’d spent the evening searching the Internet for anything on Kaplan, but nothing came up. Eventually Nicole and Dale decided to head to bed. Staying up all night wasn’t achieving anything and we’d all think better after a little shut-eye.
    I knew they were right. Caity’s note said she’d be back and there was really nothing more we could do. We had to trust her...and the FBI.
    I scowled.
    Pulling Caity’s note out of my pocket, I smoothed it out on my chest before reading it yet again.
     
    Sorry to put you through this, but I’m working an undercover job and this is the only way to keep you safe.
    I’ll explain everything when I get back. Please trust me.
    Living without you is a foreign concept to me. I could never break your heart.
    I love you so completely.
    Your girl-next-door forever xx C
     
    It was a slice of heavenly hope, something to cling to.
    But it wasn’t enough.
    I had so many questions I thought my mind might combust, and I had no way to answer them. My entire body felt gnawed on by an ever-growing anxiety. Something was wrong. I couldn’t even explain how I knew it. Something in my gut told me that Caity needed me, and I couldn’t just sit around and wait for her to get back.
    Blowing out a frustrated sigh, I slapped my laptop closed, pacing into the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. Sculling back the liquid, I placed the glass upside down in the sink and pressed my hands against the stainless steel edge.
    I hated feeling helpless. I hated Kaplan for putting Caity in this position again. I didn’t trust her. She may be FBI, but she worked outside the boundaries all the time. My mind played back the last sting operation she’d forced Caity into. Waiting in the van while I listened to that Cameron creep try to touch my girlfriend made my insides burn...and everyone just sat there listening to her struggle. Detective Sullivan and I were the only ones who kicked up a fuss.
    I stilled.
    Detective Sullivan of the LAPD.
    Yes, this would be out of his jurisdiction, but he was a good guy. He’d help me. He’d find a way.
    Spinning around, I raced to my room, practically ripping the zipper on my bag trying to yank it open. Snatching out my wallet, I found Detective Sullivan’s business card and dialed his personal number. He’d given it to me last year when we’d worked together to expose the drug/gambling operation at UCLA.
    I raked my fingers through my hair as I waited for Sullivan to answer.
    “Kyle speaking,” he answered groggily.
    “Detective Sullivan. Hey, it’s Eric Shore.”
    “Who?” he muttered. I could picture his round face puckering with annoyance.
    “Um.” I cleared my throat. “We worked together last year at UCLA. My girlfriend, Caitlyn Davis, went undercover to expose Professor Hoffman and Ca—”
    “Oh, yeah, yeah.” I could sense him struggling to wake up. “So why the hell are you calling me in the middle of the night on a holiday weekend?”
    “I, ah, need your help.”
    “Listen, kid, I’ve had a really big day. You don’t know my extended family, but...” He sighed. “Can’t this wait until morning?”
    I checked my watch and cringed. “No, I’m sorry, it can’t. It’s about Caity. She’s gone and I need to find her.”
    He paused. “What do you mean?”
    “She left me a note, saying she was working undercover and that she’d explain everything when she got back, but—”
    “She’s work—what?”
    There was a quick shuffling and I thought I heard the click of a light.
    I sighed, repeating slowly. “She left me a note, saying she’s working undercover and she couldn’t tell