The muscles in his shoulders screamed in contempt, clawing down his back. Despite the physical inactivity of the meeting, the strain of stress still took its toll. Under the hot shower, he forced all thoughts of Kristi from his head, willing her image to evaporate into the steam. A ringing crash shattered through the quiet air. Jay's eyes snapped open, his fingers curling tightly around the bottle he held. An excessive glob of shampoo squirted into his hand, covering his palm. Jay strained against the tattoo of water to hear what had happened. Did something he carelessly piled up topple? Had someone charged into his trailer, out of urgency and desperation? Or was it a feral seeking to stop the discussions between Goldbridge and Crystal Ridge? The last thought brought images of yellow eyes and angry brows; Jay's heart stuttered. He steeled himself as he shut off the shower, his hearing piqued for any out of place sound. The shower knobs squeaked loudly, but the water ceased pounding.
