Page 57 of Beloved Beast

“Good God. I have the feeling there is quite the story there,” Marcus exclaimed.

“Do you believe science and supernatural doings can go hand in hand?” Luke asked, his voice soft.

Marcus glanced at Luke then turned his attention back to the road ahead. “Yes, I do, as a matter of fact. Probably why I am truly beginning to believe you are indeed Lucas Madden.”

Luke did not reply. Gillian was completely absorbed by the conversation. Could the brothers form a bond based on Luke’s past? Perhaps Marcus could take up where Reed left off in all matters of science. They spoke with such ease already, as if they had known each other for years.

Turning her thoughts to her upcoming departure, her stomach twisted in knots, not only for the unknowns ahead but for the doings tonight. She shuddered as she pictured the Nazi agent sprawled facedown on the floor in a large pool of blood with his arm lying next to him. Were there more agents after them? Did this particular one contact his superiors before confronting them? It was too bad Luke didn’t question him. Not that the Nazi would have told the truth.

Luke turned slightly in his seat to give her a reassuring smile. “Relax, Gillian. We are not being followed as far as I can tell.” He must have heard her rapidly beating heart. She gave him a shaky smile, knowing full well he could see it within the darkened confines of the car.

At three minutes to seven, they pulled up to the dock area. Marcus parked the car and the three of them climbed out to find Fred Parker and another man waiting nearby. Fred and Luke embraced briefly.

“No time to explain. Fred, this is my brother, Marcus Madden. Marcus, my nephew, Frederick Parker.”

The men shook hands. Fred cocked an eyebrow, his expression curious. Luke would inform him later of what occurred tonight. “Now let’s get Gillian aboard.”

Marcus opened the boot, and Fred and the other man stepped forward to take a piece of luggage each.

“This is Agent Billings,” Fred stated. “When Gillian and I board the boat, he will drive to Liverpool and meet us at the docks. Extra protection and my ride back.”

“Well, it helps to lay my mind at rest.” Luke clasped Fred’s shoulder. “Be vigilante. We were accosted by the man in your sketch. He had a Luger. I am assuming he was a Nazi agent. Introductions or questions were not possible under the circumstances.”

Fred gasped. “Dead?”

Luke nodded. “There is a hell of a mess at the house. I will take care of it.”

Fred shook his head. “No, you will not. We have a detail specializing in such ‘clean-ups.’ Billings will place the call as soon as he leaves here. By dawn tomorrow, it will be like nothing happened. No trace will remain of the incident or of your stay there.” A low horn sounded. “We must depart; our fisherman grows impatient. Billings and I will get the luggage aboard. We’ll leave you to say good-bye.”

Marcus pointed to the Rolls. “I’ll go wait over there. Nice to meet you, Gillian.”

She gave Marcus a brilliant smile then on impulse embraced him. “Thank you, for everything.” She whispered in his ear, “Get to know Luke. Look out for him. Don’t let him slip away.” Marcus nodded, turned, and walked down the dock toward the car.

They were alone. Damn it, Gillian could not hold back the tears. She fell completely to pieces. How mortifying. Yet, she didn’t want to hold back. Let him see how devastated she was. The events of the day piled on top of each other: the German, Luke getting stabbed, heading to the Whitestone Estate…now this heartbreaking good-bye. She wrapped her arms around Luke’s neck, not wanting to let go. “We’ll go into hiding. I’ll do anything, whatever it takes,” she sobbed.

Luke kissed her with a wild hunger, causing her to sway and almost lose her footing. It went on for several minutes, until Luke finally ended the kiss. “Go, before I change my mind. Be safe, my dearest love. Be strong.”

Gillian took a great, gasping cry and stumbled toward the boat. Her heart broke. Into complete rubble. She had the sickening feeling she would never see him again.

* * * *

Luke watched her hurry toward the boat, her steps faltering as she went. His insides twisted, and pain tore through him worse than the gaping laceration in his side. To hell with it. “Gillian!” he yelled. He ran after her. She was about to climb aboard when she stopped and whirled around to face him. He clasped her shoulders, pulled her close, and whispered fiercely in her ear, “July thirteenth, the Public Gardens in Halifax. Three o’clock in the afternoon by the bandstand. Be there. Promise me.”

She nodded, her eyes glittering with tears. “I promise.”

Damn it, it went against all the rules, but bugger it, he didn’t care. He knew of the gardens from reading about them in a magazine once. Five months should be long enough to tie up loose ends here and to make sure he wasn’t being followed. Satisfied, he let her go. “I love you. With every beat of my heart.”

The tears spilled down her cheeks. “And I love you, Luke. You are my life.”

She stepped over the side of the boat, and Fred held out his hand to assist her. Billings gave a sharp nod to Luke then headed toward his car.

“She is precious cargo, Fred.” Luke smiled sadly.

“I know. With my life, I’ll protect her.” Each word grew louder in tone as the boat’s engine accelerated for departure.

With a shrill whistle, the boat pulled away from the dock. Luke stood and watched, keeping Gillian’s gaze firmly in his until the vessel disappeared into the thick fog. Five months might as well be five years, but what was time to him? A fluid, unknown thing that could well stretch into perpetual eternity.

Marcus was leaning against a pier post, a cigarette dangling from his lips. “That was an emotional good-bye. From what I observed, you love her.”