Faith

I'm staring out the window of Benson's car, trying my damnedest to send Grace positive thoughts. At this rate, all she'll get from me is goosebumps and confusion. All brought to her by courtesy of Benson Easton. I honestly don't know where I'd be without him here to support me and encourage me. I know we haven't known each other long, but when he holds me, I don't feel scared of never seeing my sister again. It's like everything will be okay just because he's present.

Don't even get me started on that kiss on the beach; wow! He says all of the right things and makes me feel treasured entirely by him. How I wish you were here, Grace, to help me to navigate through whatever this is between Benson and me. I try to hold back the tears as devastation takes over with the thought that I could never see my sister again.

Benson interrupts my thoughts, "Babe, talk to me. What are you thinking over there?"

I shrug because I don't want him to know I was thinking about him.

"Don't block me out, Faith. I want, no, I need to be here for you. The only way that can happen is if you talk to me. Share with me your fears, concerns, hell, whatever you're feeling," he pleads.

This man is too good to be true!

I finally turn to face him, "I am trying so damn hard to send her positive vibes, but it's impossible when I don't have a shred of positive thoughts myself to send to her."

That was not a total lie. While my feelings for Benson are positive, they're still confusing.

A moment later, we were pulling up to my office building. Benson gets out and comes to my side to open my door. I take the hand that he's offering and get out of the car. He right away pulls me into an embrace.

"You got this, Babe; you're not alone," he says as he tightens his grip on me, giving me the strength to go into that office and face whatever the detective has for me.

"I'm ready." I stand tall; Benson releases me from his warm embrace and takes my hand. We enter the office together.

As soon as I walk in, I see Liza. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying. I let go of Benson's hand and ran to her. We hug each other, and fresh tears stream down our faces.

"It's not good, Faith," Liza tells me through her tears.

I lean back and look at her face. "What do you mean it's not good?" I feel Benson's hand on my shoulder.

Liza shakes her head.

"Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" I demand.

I see the detective coming from Grace's office. "Is there somewhere the three of us could talk?"

I nod, "Yes, the conference room or my office."

"How about the conference room?"

"Sure, follow me." Benson had retaken my hand.

The detective follows us into the conference room. He shuts the door behind him.

"First of all, I want to let you know that Miss Graham permitted me to look through your sister's office. Did you know that your sister was receiving threats?"

"What? Threats? What? She never said anything to me." That this information shocked me would be the biggest understatement of the year.

Benson puts his arm around me. "She never told Faith about any threats."

"I thought that was the case." He starts spreading typed letters addressed to Grace on the table. There were six letters.

"What do they say?" I ask, anxious to know what's been happening with my sister.

Detective Kidwell clears his throat. "I don't advise you to read them. They're disturbing and quite graphic. What they do say is that they want both you and Grace. She was instructed not to tell the police or you about the letters or their contents."

My hand goes to my mouth. I'm completely overwhelmed by what I'm hearing.

The detective continues, "They instructed her to ensure that you and her stay late in the office last night. It looks like she took it upon herself to ignore that last request. Liza said that Grace left after you did yesterday. She told Liza that she had a last-minute appointment come up. That was the last time Liza saw or heard from Grace."

I'm beginning to feel faint. I lean over and fold my arms on the table, put my head on my arms, trying to take slow, deep breaths.

"Are you okay, Faith? Can I get you something? Water maybe?" Poor Benson doesn't know what to do. He's used to having control of a situation. He's in uncharted territory.

I shake my head. "I just need a minute."

He rubs my back while I try to regain my composure. I decided right there and then to be strong for my sister. I sit back up and look directly into Detective Kidwell's eyes.

"What do you need me to do?" I say bravely.

The detective gets right down to business. "First and foremost, you need to stay safe. These letters indicate that the unsub wants both of you. He more or less states that he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants."

Benson squeezes my hand, "I got her. I'll keep her safe. I have the means to ensure no one gets to her."

I look up at him with appreciation. If anyone can keep me out of harm's way, it's Benson.

"Secondly, how much do you know about Travis Johns?" The detective inquires.

I can feel Benson stiffen. I glance at him before turning my attention back to the detective. "I don't know much. Grace is the one who hires the interns; why?"

"He also left yesterday, right after Grace did."

"She probably told him to since she was leaving." I make a guess.

"He also hasn't been in the office since yesterday," explains the detective.

"He didn't?" I can't hide the surprise in my voice.

"Can you give me any insight on who this guy is?"

"Well, if I'm honest, he gives me the creeps. After my first day with him, I asked Grace to take him as her intern," I reveal.

"What about him gave you the creeps?" he asks.

"He was asking Liza about Grace's and my family. I would catch him watching me. He looked, I don't know, angry or something. I can have Liza get his paperwork for you."

"Don't bother," Benson says, "I'm guessing everything you find in that file is a lie."

"What? Why?" I question Benson.

"Do you remember his first day when I picked you up for our dinner meeting?" he asks.

"Yes. I told you that day that Travis gave me the creeps," I answer.

"When you started walking towards me, Travis had turned around and gave you a look that I can only explain as pure hatred," he informs me.

"You never told me that."

"I didn't want you to feel more anxious than you already did. Now, don't get mad, but I might have had Cindy check him out," he confesses.

"I'm not mad. I know how much you already care about me. I would be shocked if you didn't do anything after seeing Travis look at me like that." I give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"What did you find out?" the detective asks Benson.

"Nothing," Benson says

"Nothing?" Replies the detective.

"When I say nothing, I mean that Travis Johns doesn't exist. My assistant couldn't find anything on him."

Well, damn!

*****