?I think Matt?s right,? Lucas said, his face both surprised and
pleased that Matt had suggested it. ?It?s obviously not good for you.
You should quit.?
Helen was too stunned to respond. She stared at Lucas with her
mouth hanging open until Hector, Cassandra, and Ariadne arrived
and ended the conversation. The girls got in the SUV with Lucas
177/395
and Helen, and Hector took the keys to the Mercedes, saying he
would wait for Jason. Ariadne offered Matt a ride home in her
sweetest voice, but he demurred. Then, after a brief and very quiet
exchange between Lucas and Hector, Lucas got behind the wheel
and drove the three girls to the Delos compound, speeding the
whole way. As they drove, Cassandra climbed into the back and
perched next to Helen with a calm poise that belied her age.
?Did you get a good look at him?? she asked in a level, strangely
adult voice.
?Yes,? Helen answered.
?If I showed you some pictures, would you be able to recognize
him??
?Like, mug shots? No problem,? Helen said positively. ?I?m pretty
sure there aren?t that many guys in the world who look exactly like
a bigger, blonder version of Hector.?
She sensed the mood in the SUV shift.
?Creon,? whispered Cassandra.
?Are you sure?? Lucas asked, his head snapping up look into the
rearview mirror at Cassandra.
?Yes,? she answered with a dreamy look on her face. ?And Uncle
Pallas followed him here from Europe. He?s at home.? Lucas apparently
didn?t need any more information. He fished his cell
phone out of his jeans and hit speed dial.