I nodded. “Cody and I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Shannon’s voice was firm. “You two go eat lunch. You both need to recover before you read any more imprints. I’ll let you know when we need you.”
We were being dismissed, but for once I didn’t care. My stomach was complaining and I felt terrible, as though I’d been reading imprints all morning. What was wrong with me? I’d felt fine upon waking and my workout hadn’t been more strenuous than normal. I was beginning to feel a bit desperate.
“I could eat,” Cody said.
An understatement, I knew. It was from Cody that my sister and I had both inherited our love of food and the ability to pack it in. He wasn’t as slender as I was these days, being larger boned, but he didn’t have much extra weight on his solid frame. I believed reading imprints used more calories than we realized.
Before we left, Shannon pulled me aside in the bullpen where all the officers’ desks were neatly packed in together. “Look, I know you need to pick up your car at the mechanic’s before noon, and I’m going to have Peirce drop you off there and you can drive it to wherever you’re going to eat. He’s actually off duty and coming in only as a favor to me because Captain Piante won’t authorize any more surveillance. Since we discovered the bust, he believes you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, that the rug was the real target. I’m not sure he’s wrong, but regardless, I don’t like it, so keep Cody with you and your cell phone handy. We’ll meet up as soon as I get a handle on how McGregor and Clancy figure into this. If Paige finishes first, I’ll send her to stay with you.”
Despite Shannon’s worry, the captain’s conclusion alleviated some of my own concerns. He’d only been captain for two months, replacing the former female captain, but the man hadn’t risen to his current position by perpetuating a lot of mistakes.
“I’ll be fine,” I told Shannon, glad he didn’t ask if I was carrying my pistol in my purse. I didn’t want him to know he’d won that battle. I might not feel as worried as before, but if anything did happen, I felt more prepared. “It’s broad daylight, and we’ll just grab a bite and go to my store.”
I really should be at Autumn’s Antiques if I wasn’t on police business, though a nap was looking more and more appealing at the moment. Maybe I could sack out for a few minutes in my easy chair. In fact, my sister would probably insist on it.
“Just keep your eyes open.” Shannon’s voice was intense.
“I will. You need to trust me. I’m not going to do anything I can’t handle.”
“I do trust you.” He hesitated a heartbeat before adding, “But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever stop wanting to protect you.”
I smiled. “Right back at you.”
His voice took on a lighter note. “Guess that’s my cue to say I’m sorry about last night. About how I reacted to you going to see Hamilton. You did a good job with her.”
“Thanks.”
Cody motioned to me across the room, angling his chin in another direction. Following his gaze, I couldn’t help but stiffen.
“I see you found Ace,” I said to Shannon.
Shannon whipped around. “Actually, he’s probably here trying to get information for one of his so-called cases, but it’s about time I asked him a few questions. Wait. Where are you—?”
I was already striding toward Ace, who was dressed in his usual worn jeans and T-shirt. “Who are you really working for?” I demanded. “I know it’s not Russo. Why were you outside my store?”
Ace’s eyes gleamed, their color so nondescript that I couldn’t pinpoint the hue. “Relax,” he said, grinning. “I never said I was working for Russo. Truth is, I’m actually on another case. Did you know that guy next door to you, the music guy, has been married before? Yep, he’s cut out on child support.”
“Baloney,” I said. “Stu doesn’t have any children or an ex-wife.”
“I can check out your story,” Shannon said, catching up to us.
“All right, all right.” Ace held up his hands, his grin still bright. He looked small and thin compared to Shannon, and he hunched in on himself as though trying to appear less threatening. “I was here yesterday morning on another case when I heard what happened. I decided to do a little investigating on my own with the hope of snagging Russo as a client again. Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out.”
Shannon shook his head. “You went to see Russo days ago. We talked to him, and we know he told you to get lost.” There was no mistaking Shannon’s own desire to tell the private detective to do the same thing.
Ace straightened, and I saw the men were actually the same height, though Shannon was much broader. “Yeah, what of it? I thought if I had something to sell, he’d change his mind. Anyway, I’ve got other work lined up now. I don’t need him.”
“But you do need the precinct, apparently.” Shannon gave him a smile that held no friendship. “In fact, I think you probably hang around more these days than when you worked for us.” That was stretching it a bit, since Shannon had been away so much these past months, and he couldn’t have kept tabs on Ace.
Ace laughed companionably, as though they really were friends. “At least I get paid more now.”
I doubted that, unless his starving artist look was meant to attract clients.
“We’ll have to do lunch sometime,” Ace said. “Right now I’d better get back to work.” He turned and sauntered away.
Shannon’s teeth clenched and his hands fisted at his sides.
“Yep,” I said, keeping my face deadpan. “I definitely dislike him more than I used to dislike you.”
Shannon blinked, his eyes going to my face. “You never disliked me.”
“I did too. You were annoying, rude, and arrogant. And did I mention annoying?”
“Ha. I’m the one who thought you were annoying, not to mention out to fleece everyone.”
I took a step closer. “Oh? And I bet you thought me unattractive. Totally not your type.”
“That’s right. Barefooted hippie.”
I took another step, watching the amusement in his fascinating eyes turn to something else. I could see the pulse on his neck, beating fast. “Know-it-all pig.”
“Deceiver.”
A throat cleared. “Uh, I hate to interrupt this mating dance, but I’m dying of starvation here. I ate breakfast before six, you know. Can you two do your very strange wooing on your own time?” Cody settled against the front of the empty desk closest to us, a sardonic grin on his weathered face. “Not that I don’t enjoy a good show, but the fireworks between you two are hot enough to burn down the police station.”
I did feel rather warm. Stepping back, I glanced around the room, but the few officers present were suddenly extremely busy, their gazes averted. I stifled a laugh.
Shannon grinned. “Thanks,” he said to me in an undertone. “I’m always afraid I’m going to start something with Ace. I almost went for him.”
“I know.”
“Come on.” Cody tugged on my arm. “Our ride’s here.”
Shannon’s eyes were still on me as we left, eyes that made me want to melt into him. “Annoying,” I said under my breath.
“Who, me?” Cody asked.
“No. Him.” Annoying, compelling, and all mine.
Maybe.
Cody laughed. “That didn’t work all the other times I bet you said that about him. You’re hooked. Face it.”
“I was thinking steak,” I said, ignoring him. “I know a place, Stan’s Grill. Meat with no hormones. Not even too expensive.”
“Lead on.”
Peirce drove us to my mechanic’s in his own minivan, which I knew he’d bought last year after the birth of his second child. As I exited, he pressed a small roll of money into my hand. “That was from Shannon yesterday. I forgot to give it back to him.”
I pocketed it. “Thanks.” The only thing better than a good meal was a free one that was also delicious. After the fiasco yesterday, it was the least the department owed m
e, though I suspected the money was Shannon’s. Hopefully someone would reimburse him.
Peirce didn’t pull away from the curb. “Uh, Autumn?”
“Yes?”
“You okay now?”
I knew he was asking about the imprints, but I purposefully misunderstood. “I feel a lot better.”
“If you want me to stay with you, I can. I was going to my wife’s parents, but she’d understand, and they don’t like me much, though I think they’re finally warming up a bit.”
“We’re good,” I said. “But thank you.”
Cody waved at him. “Go and make nice with your in-laws. You’re stuck with them so you might as well make the best of it. Don’t you worry. I’ll take good care of Autumn.” He spoke confidently, and with the bright sunlight streaming into Peirce’s eyes, I was sure he couldn’t see Cody’s age and exhaustion. Peirce shouldn’t worry. Cody was a tough old bird when he needed to be, and he’d already proven he’d take a bullet for me. I suspected his presence was the only reason Shannon had let me leave the station.
Peirce drove off, and within minutes, I’d given the mechanic my debit card and we were chugging away in my rusty Toyota, which ran almost quietly compared to the din it had made before replacing the muffler.
“Why don’t you buy something better than this rust bucket?” Cody said.
“Shh. You’ll hurt her feelings.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Besides, I’ve seen what you drive.” His gold Honda hatchback was every bit as bad, and he didn’t have the excuse of being poor like I did.
I turned a corner and the black sedan following two cars behind did the same. My stomach lurched.
As I drove, I kept checking my mirrors. I’d been in exactly one car chase, and though I’d gotten away, that didn’t make me an expert. After several more turns, I decided the black sedan was definitely following us. My heart started thumping hard, but at Stan’s Grill, I doubled back in the parking lot, passing the sedan, and recognized one of Russo’s men in the front seat.
So, he’s keeping an eye on me. Oddly enough their presence made me feel safer. How much my life had changed in the past two days.
I took out my phone and texted Shannon: No need for police escort when I have Russo’s men following me. Ha ha. Arrived at restaurant. All is well.
By eleven fifteen, Cody had consumed two steaks—and had made good headway on the rice and fries that came with them. He ate with relish, as though he hadn’t eaten food this good in a long time. Probably not since Christmas dinner at Tawnia’s, most of which I’d had to cook, since my sister was about as handy in the kitchen as I was in a shoe store. I felt a little sliver of guilt that I hadn’t made more effort to see Cody. He’d more than paid his dues, but I knew he still beat himself up about his past regularly. Maybe it was time I made more of an effort. Besides Tawnia and her little family, he was the only relative I had.
That might change. I might start my own family.
With Shannon.
I shivered slightly, remembering his eyes and the way I felt whenever he was near.
Maybe it was good I could no longer read imprints. Maybe not doing so would keep me more focused on family. Of course, without my ability, I might also miss some dangers I could otherwise protect them from. Imprints could come in handy, especially with teenagers.
“Are you going to eat that?” Cody pointed his fork at my second steak.
“What a silly question.” I pulled the plate closer. It was really good, and if another plan hadn’t been formulating in my mind, and if I had more cash, I might order another. I hadn’t felt dizzy once since I began eating.
I threw down Shannon’s cash and everything I had in my wallet on the table before Cody could get out the wad he usually carried in some pocket. The man didn’t own a debit card, and I suspected he would store his money in his mattress, or some similar place, if his various rental properties hadn’t required the use of a bank.
“This is on the department.” I looked at the bills and added, feeling rather foolish, “Though I guess you can leave a tip.”
He did, and the waitress gathered up our bills with a smile, so I knew it was a good one. I grabbed my handbag and headed for the door. I started to open the door with the napkin from the table, before I remembered that I didn’t need it anymore. Dropping the napkin into my purse, I pushed the door open and went outside. Behind me the door started shutting, but Cody pushed it open again.
I blinked in the sunlight, feeling momentarily disoriented. Maybe I should go home and sleep. No, I had to get to my store. If I wasn’t helping Shannon and Paige catch bad guys, I should be there, though the truth was, my store didn’t need me today, not with Tawnia covering for me. Now that I thought about it, there was something else I could do.
Cody bumped into me, cursing under his breath. “Should have known.”
“What?” I asked as we continued down the walk.
“Imprint on the door. Forgot my napkin.”
“Sorry.”
“For what? I’m old enough to know better.”
True, but I knew from personal experience that it was easier to protect myself in the winter when I had an excuse to wear gloves.
In the car, I pulled out my phone, bringing up Cody’s text from yesterday with Easton Godfrey’s number. It was time to talk to the scientist who studied psychometry.
Cody leaned over far enough to glimpse the name. He might be in his sixties, but he had the long-distance vision of an eagle. “Oh, no. What are you doing? You ain’t calling him, are you?”
“Of course I’m calling him. I need to know what happened to me, and if I’ll ever get it back.”
“Can’t you let it go? If it’s gone, maybe it’s meant to be. And at least you won’t have to touch a doorknob and witness some idiot husband berating his wife because he’s angry about money. You could live a perfectly fine life without those experiences.”
“Okay, so those kinds of imprints are awful.” I fumbled in my bag and came up with the book of poetry that had belonged to my parents, shoving it at him. “But this . . . Cody, I can’t let them go.”
His hands touched the book, his face softening. He’d be seeing my parents at their wedding, feeling the love in their hearts. But just as quickly, his face hardened once more. “You did without imprints for thirty-something years. Don’t you think you can again?” There was an undercurrent of pleading in his gruff voice. “And don’t give me that business about being blind. I know that’s what it feels like, but it’ll pass. Once, part of my tongue stayed numb after my hack of a dentist worked on me, but I stopped noticing after a year or so. I adjusted. You will too.”
“Cody,” I said softly.
He nodded once. “Okay, let’s call him.” Then he added with a scowl, “Maybe we’ll get lucky, and he won’t answer.”
“You don’t have to come with me.”
“Yes, I do. I abandoned you once. I ain’t doing it again.”
Technically he hadn’t abandoned me or Tawnia because he hadn’t known we existed, but it was all the same to him. He was worse than I was about guilt. I’d told him I forgave him, and Tawnia had echoed the sentiment twenty times over, but Cody still had something to prove. To us, to himself. Maybe he didn’t really know. I understood that because every time I saw Jake, I felt bad for not being there for him in the same way that he was for me. Maybe it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t care about him so much.
Which reminded me of Jake’s date with Kolonda, and I stifled an urge to text him to ask if it had gone well. He needed space right now to find a future without me.
Godfrey’s answering machine picked up on the third ring, but he’d left his cell phone number on the message in case of emergencies—guess he didn’t want to lose out on any weirdos—so I dialed that instead. He answered almost immediately. I could hear voices and noise around him, and I wondered if he was at a family gathering or perhaps in a crowded restaurant. I gave him my first name and explained that I
knew Cody.
“You share his gift?” he asked, eagerness lacing his voice. Gradually, the noise from his end of the phone disappeared, and I knew he’d gone somewhere more private. “Are you related?”
“I do share his gift, but I’d rather not say how I know Cody. Anyway, the reason I’m calling is because I can’t do it anymore. Yesterday, my ability vanished. I was trapped in a repeating loop with an awful memory, and I was also in a car crash that ended in an explosion.” Not wanting to explain further, I left out the gunfire and my connection with the police. “Do you think you can help? I use my ability for work, so it’s kind of important.”
“I’m almost sure I can help you. Can you meet me at my office? I’m on my way there now.”
“Sure. Give me the address.”
I hung up feeling more positive. For all of Cody’s dislike of the man, at least he wasn’t involved in our case, and that meant no real possibility of serious danger. Maybe with his help, I’d be myself before morning.
Chapter 14
Easton Godfrey’s office in Beaverton was only ten minutes away from the restaurant, and I drove there in silence. As we pulled up in front of a rectangular, one-story building, Cody mumbled, “It says something that he’s willing to drop everything to see you on a Saturday.”
“Um, that he’s nice? Helpful?” I turned off the engine and put the keys in my purse. The black sedan was still following us, but the driver parked out on the road.
Cody rolled his eyes. “Desperate, more like. He’s afraid to let you get away. There ain’t a lot of people like us. He only knows two others besides me.”
“Two is a lot more than I know of, so that makes him someone I need to talk to.”
“It’s not just psychometry he studies. It’s the whole gamut of psychic abilities. Most people he studies have only a hint of talent, though. They get things right only part of the time and only if they’re in a certain mood.”
“You mean fakes?” Given a certain amount of tries, anyone could get a certain number of guesses correct.
“Not fakes. Just that they aren’t as strong as you and me.”
I reached for my door handle. “You mean their brains didn’t develop quite as much.” I wasn’t psychic, and I hated that designation. It made it seem as if at any minute I’d start reading people’s minds, levitating, or growing antennae.
Blinded Page 17
