It took Nox a moment to realize what Luca meant. “The company?”
“Yeah, they accused him of failing to fulfill his contract work by giving them first access to the invention. Apparently, the court didn’t agree with them and gave him even more money for personal damages, or something like that.” Luca waved a hand.
“He must have retired.” This far out there was no chance of a commute.
“Either that or works remotely.” Nox returned to scanning the space outside the Jeep.
“We should probably go talk to this guy.” Luca put on his coat.
Because he might know something.
Nox started to open the door. “Maybe you should stay here.” There was nothing in the shadows around the cabin except for a few mice, insects, and budding plants. They showed in lines of pale blue compared to the lighter orange of the animals. But Nox couldn’t shake that cold pricking his skin.
“What are you looking at?” Luca sat forward as if he could see what Nox did.
“Nothing.”
“Then why do you think I should stay here?”
“There’s something off.”
“I think you worry too much.” Luca opened his door.
So did Nox. Crisp air, new flowers, and wet earth filled his lungs as he inhaled. Nox rolled the flavor on his tongue. A hundred yards out, through the thicket of trees, a herd of deer slept. A creek gurgled over rocks a half mile behind the cabin. Two semitrucks traveled south on the highway.
The sounds continued to snowball.
There was still no evidence of a threat. Not even a predator—other than himself.
He walked with Luca to the steps where he paused. “Maybe you should let me do the talking.”
“Why?”
“You’re growling.”
Was he? The Anubis inside him hummed. A feeling that was too smooth. One that suggested he was no longer as separate from the thing inside him as he needed to be.
“It’s okay, Nox.”
He realized he was growling again and stopped. “Okay. Yeah, you do the talking.”
Nox followed Luca to the door. He knocked.
The rise and fall of music continued.
“Maybe he’s not home?” Luca peered through the glass window beside the door. The open floor plan of the house gave an unobstructed view from the living room to the kitchen. Gleaming hardwood floors reflected the overhead lights. Sofa, easy chair, a fur rug in front of the fireplace. A staircase to the second floor on the left wall.
A coffee cup sat on the counter beside a plate of uneaten food. Next to the breakfast bar, a single shoe.
Raindrops pelted the ground. Overhead the sway of the trees shifted. Wet leaves stuck to bushes caught the breeze, then fluttered to the ground.
The metallic edge of copper mixed with the scent of night air. An aging musk followed.
“We need to go.” Nox grabbed Luca’s arm.
“What’s wrong?”
“He’s not here.”