Folsom (End of Men, #1)(41)

“Have you talked to him about her?” he interrupts.

“I’ve just tried to make sure they’re not alone too long. I’ve become the third wheel. Listen though,” I look around to make sure we’re still alone, “we probably don’t have much time. I need to tell you—Kasper came to see me.”

Folsom’s hands drop and he stares at me incredulously. “Kasper.” He flinches, voice deadly. “Start at the beginning.”

I falter at his tone but then take a deep breath and talk as quickly as I can. “He says the Canadians are sympathetic to the End Men. They’re willing to help. He thinks you need to get Laticus to the Green Region and over the border. Soon. He says the Black Region will erupt when word gets out about Laticus being taken, which will be any day. Oh, and he confirmed that Governor Petite is working with the Society. He gave me a device.” I shake my head in frustration. “God, I can’t believe I don’t have it with me—I’ve been too distracted over Laticus. I’ll bring it the next time I see you. Kasper will help us, Folsom.”

He turns, hands going to his head, and moves to the door of the gate, pounding it four or five times, hard, until the hinge breaks and it hangs skewed. When he turns around, his eyes are distant. I move to look at his hands and he holds one up, stopping me in mid-step.

“You’re just now telling me all of this?”

If I didn’t see his jaw ticking, I’d think he was calm. I swallow hard.

“Take me to him. Now,” he says.

“We can’t just leave the party.” I put my hand on his arm. “Folsom, look at me. They’ll come after you. Let’s think about this.”

“I’ll deal with them when the time comes. I need to see Laticus.”

I don’t argue anymore but lead him along the water until there’s an opening in the trees. My car is parked half a block from the house and when we reach the street, we only have a few feet left to walk. The house is shining like a beacon at the end of the street. Cars line each side of the pavement and the streetlamps flicker in the night sky. If only everything were as serene as it looks.

My car feels tiny with Folsom filling it up. I still get a rush being near him, even when he’s angry, or whatever this is that feels like rage hopping off of him. I really want to know what the deal is between him and Kasper, but I know this isn’t the time to ask.

I speed the ten miles to Genome Y, neither of us speaking, and when we’re within range of the guard, I flash my badge. The guard flashes her light on Folsom and he stares ahead as if he visits Genome Y like this every night, nothing out of the ordinary.

“I’m running some tests,” I tell her and she grins.

“Is that what we’re calling it?” she asks. “Next time, put me on the schedule.”

I glare at her and speed off when she opens the gate.

When we get in the building, Folsom waits in my office while I see who is on the night shift in dome five. As far as I can tell, only the guard and one nurse are attending. They’re used to seeing me in here every night now. I’ve taken Laticus outside once during the day, and at night I have permission to walk with him around the inside of the building, as long as I never leave him alone.

He perks up when I come in the room. “I didn’t think you were coming tonight…”

I smile and close the door behind me. “Let’s take a walk.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “You up for walking in those shoes? You look nice,” he adds.

“Well, you certainly have the charm down.” I nod toward the door. “Let’s go.”

“What’s your hurry?” He smirks and each time I’m hit with how much he looks like Folsom.

“Thought you were sick of this place.” I shrug.

I open the door and he runs and jumps, tapping the top of the doorjamb with his hand. The guard nods at us, and Laticus starts down the path we’ve gone the last few nights.

“Let’s go this way tonight,” I tell him, turning in the other direction.

He does an about-face, exaggerating his turn, and I laugh. Folsom and Laticus have become the closest thing I have to friends. I sober up, reminding myself that my time with both of them is limited. Maybe even shorter than I expected if we’re listening to Kasper…which might be the real reason I didn’t tell Folsom as soon as Kasper left, if I’m honest with myself.

We get near my office and I put my hand on Laticus’ arm. “I don’t want you to be alarmed. Folsom is in there,” I tell him quietly.

His eyes widen and he barely nods, acknowledging he heard me.

When I open the door, Folsom is standing in the corner on full alert. Laticus walks inside and I take one last look around before pulling the door closed.

“You’re looking well,” Folsom says, giving Laticus a faint close-lipped smile.

“You too,” Laticus says. They stare at each other for a moment before Folsom’s gaze becomes serious.

He looks at me and his eyes soften before turning back to Laticus. “The Governor of the Red Region has announced that you’re here. When word makes its way to your home, the Black will uprise, retaliate,” he says.

I clench my teeth together and lean against the wall, stepping out of my heels.

“We need to get you out of here, out of the Red Region…out of the country,” he tells Laticus and the room goes still. “Kasper will be helping us. You don’t know me well enough to trust me yet, but I’m asking you to anyway. Can you do that?”