Omens (Cainsville 1)

Chapter Sixty-two

Patrick stayed to visit longer with Rose. As we left, I commented to Gabriel that they seemed to know each other well.

Gabriel shrugged. "Well enough. They have similar interests, as you noticed."

"What do you make of him?"

Gabriel looked over, frowning, as we reached the bottom of the steps.

"It's just..." I began. "Cainsville seems very old-fashioned in some ways. Respect for elders and all that. But Patrick appears to be exempt. If anything, he seems to be as respected as the elders. Which seems odd for a guy younger than me."

Another frown, deeper now. "Patrick? He's older than I am, Olivia."

"What?"

"Not by much, I presume. But I recall him as a young man when I wasn't more than a teenager. He's definitely older than I am."

I remembered what Patrick said when I commented that he'd seemed young to be published. I'm older than I look. Apparently so. Tha

t explained a few things.

As we crossed the road, Gabriel said, "Catch," and I turned just in time to see silver flashing toward me.

"I'm driving?" I said as I caught his keys.

"Yes, though those were just for dramatic flourish. Technically, you don't need the keys. As long as they're in the car, you can drive it." He paused. "I probably shouldn't have told you that."

I grinned. "In other words, from now on, whoever gets to the driver's seat first takes the wheel?"

"Unless I refuse to get in the passenger seat."

"Spoilsport." I walked around the Jag and opened the driver's door. "You're serious, though. I get to drive?"

He waggled his cell phone. "I need to check e-mail."

"So I'm actually chauffeuring you."

"Are you arguing?"

I slid in. "Nope. Are we still heading out to interview that MKULTRA subject? Patrick seemed to think Rose had a vision that we shouldn't."

"She did receive a warning. Typically vague, something to do with me, terrible danger, and all that." He climbed into the passenger seat. Then he paused before closing the door. "On second thought, perhaps we should switch places..."

"Too late."

I started the engine. He only smiled as if he'd been teasing.

"You don't take the warning seriously, I presume?" I said.

"I do, but a warning only means that I should be alert, and that was all Rose wanted to tell me. Be careful. Danger is in the cards today." He fastened his seat belt and made a show of double-checking.

I made a face at him.

"Go on," he said. "Just keep your foot light until you hit the town limits. Or I'll get blamed, no matter who's driving."

----

There are no stoplights in Cainsville. There are, however, a lot of crosswalks, and you're expected to slow at each. It was still early Sunday morning, but kids were already out, heading to something at the community center.