ChasingShadows (8 page)

“So he dumped the old pair and bought new ones?” Juliana
raised her eyebrows.

“You’ve got it.” The phone rang and Alex jabbed a button on
the phone, sending the call to voicemail. “What else?”

James checked his notes again, and slapped the pad against
the desk. “As far as Lisette getting comfortable with another man, it would’ve
been on the estate, and that’s a virtual fortress. Jasmine denies any knowledge
of Lisette befriending anyone. They never left the estate, except for the one
play date.”

“You think she’s lying?”
It would be easy to determine if
they let me at her.
Her telepathy would definitely benefit the
investigation. But how much credence would Alex and James attach to her
mind-reading ability?

James shrugged, his hands midair.

A hard, vigilant look touched Alex’s eyes. “We’ll have
Juliana meet Jasmine and the Chambers tomorrow for phase two interviews.” He
leaned his back against the tall file cabinet. A dozen or so stuffed folders
fell onto the floor and he booted them aside. “What’s the story on Andrea’s
neighbors?”

“They can’t have children, and they’re desperate. Andrea
says Sharon tries to mother Lisette.” James shifted in his seat and propped his
foot on Alex’s abandoned chair. “A few weeks ago, Andrea went to get Lisette
one day and found her wearing clothes she got from Sharon. When Andrea asked
Lisette about it, Lisette said Sharon has a room full of girl’s toys and
clothes.”

“Shit,” Alex groaned. “Yesterday Andrea told me Sharon’s
been acting weird.” He began prowling the room again. “Get a search warrant.”

Juliana drank her soda and cleaned up the dinner debris. “How
could they hide Lisette so close to home?” A risk for the Douglases, but not
impossible. Nothing floated out of the realm of possibility at this stage of
the game.

“Sometimes the least likely place or person is the one to
fear the most.” Alex gave Juliana a meaningful look.

A hot flush crept over her at his implication. Her eyes held
his until his gaze broke away.

“Alex, you know we can’t get a warrant yet.” James sighed. “They’re
first up tomorrow. They both work at the hospital with Andrea, and we haven’t been
able to reach them yet. We’ll ask if they’ll consent to a search.”

Juliana stifled a yawn. She was exhausted and past ready to
sink into bed.

Alex’s gaze strayed to the wall clock hanging at a crooked
angle above the door. “A few more minutes and I’ll drive you home.” He returned
his attention to James. “Give me a quick run-down of the rest.”

James ticked off each item from memory. “A public plea aired
on all major networks during the evening news. Volunteers are distributing and
posting flyers. A volunteer center’s up and running.” James’ face grew red with
anger. “Get this, man. Grantham Chamber donated space and equipment for the
volunteer center in his office tower. Showing his concern.”

Alex threw his uneaten hoagie in the trash. A heavy thud
resounded in the room. “Generous guy.”

“We’re searching the databases for like crimes. Liaising
with other agencies for similar MOs.” James consulted his list, then tossed it
on the desk. “That’s it.”

Alex moved to the door and opened it. “I’m taking Juliana
home. Then I’ll be at Andrea’s.”

They left the office in silence. The thought of being alone
with Alex jostled the sandwich in Juliana’s stomach.
Why does he leave my
nerves twisting in the wind? Because we haven’t discussed the past? Because
he’s gorgeous? Aloof? Because of a kiss that makes me want to surrender
everything to him?

Long minutes dragged while they drove along the darkened
streets. Juliana rested her head on the headrest and closed her eyes. She was
done for. Her ESP dreams always exacted a huge chunk of her energy. The
secondary visions that evening sapped what little stamina she’d managed to
preserve throughout the day.

Reaching her house, Alex parked in her driveway. Annoyed,
she noticed her dead porch light. Her first-ever new house suffered from
numerous growing pains, the porch light the least of them.

A coastal breeze cooled the night and stars twinkled
brightly in the moonlit sky. The faint scent of roses wafted in the air. Alex’s
arm brushed against hers as they ascended the two steps to the porch, and he
stiffened.

”Wouldn’t hurt to keep a light on around here.”

“I wish.” She flicked her hand at the dead lamp. “That
stupid thing’s automatic, if you can believe it. The builder was supposed to
fix it last week, along with a dozen other things.”

“Such as?”

Juliana sensed he sought a discussion topic other than the
past or the investigation.

Heat blossomed across her flesh. Being alone with him
outside the arena of the case terrified and excited her at the same time. It
was even more rattling than their earlier kiss, which stirred her like no other
man’s kisses did. The kiss that played trick-or-treat with her heart.

The glow from the streetlamp at the side of the house
yielded enough light to insert the key into the deadbolt. Turning the key was
another problem in itself.

“Like this blasted lock!” She exhaled in exasperation. Too
tired to deal with the inadequacies of her new home, frustration wearied her
even more.

“Let me.”

Alex reached from behind and his large hand closed over hers.
His touch made her senses spin. He easily opened the lock, while she resisted
pressing herself into his hard body.

Don’t go there!
she screamed in her head.
Keep
your distance. You don’t need the complications a man brings to your life. Now
or ever.

The door swung inward, and she barely noticed until Alex
flicked on the foyer light.

“You need to get these fixed.” His voice was gruff.

“I will. Thank you.” Juliana stepped inside, away from Alex.
He stood motionless, filling the doorway.

Their eyes met, captivated with each other for what seemed
an eon. Alex was first to break contact, and backed down the two steps.

He stopped as his feet landed on the walkway. “Thank you. For
your help.”

The words warmed her, and she smiled. “You’re welcome.”

Alex stood his ground, indecision tingeing his face. “Why
did you leave?” he finally asked in a strained voice.

She knew the subject would eventually surface. But her
stomach felt like a bowling ball had slammed into it.

Hands shoved in his front pockets, he waited, looking like a
lost little boy.

She gripped the door until her knuckles turned white. “It
wasn’t my choice.”

“You were eighteen. An adult,” he stated almost accusingly.

Leaning her head on the doorframe, she regarded him ruefully.
“I was also the eighteen-year-old daughter of Daniel Westwood.” No explanation
was necessary. Alex knew what that meant.

Alex grunted an acknowledgment, and his expression softened.

“Alex, we really need to talk. You need to understand what
happened.”

“Not now,
please
.” He shuffled his feet, looking
down, up, around. “Answer one last question and I’ll let you go.” He gave her
an intent, expectant stare. “Why did you stay away?”

A sob climbed in Juliana’s throat, and she swallowed it with
difficulty. She felt a wretchedness of mind she’d never experienced before. Even
though he wouldn’t understand her reasons any more than she accepted them, she
gave him the truth.

“Because it was for the best. For both of us.”

Chapter Five

Saturday, August 12

The scent of morning glory creepers drifted into Juliana’s
window and prodded her awake. Sunbeams streamed through the blinds, dawn long
gone. She glanced at the alarm clock with sleep-blurred eyes. In less than an
hour, Alex would arrive.

She was assisting with his interviews of Lisette’s
grandparents, babysitter and Andrea’s next-door neighbors. They hadn’t
established how he planned to introduce her to these people. But if it came to
it, she’d resort to tactics she used at the NYPD as a bogus assistant profiler
with a fake ID.

Juliana stretched her arms and legs, waking her muscles. No
dreams, no nightmares had plagued her. Lisette should be safe or else she would
have dreamed about it. Fortunately, there was small chance at this stage that
she’d lost touch with the kidnapper.

Surprisingly, she’d slept soundly and hadn’t lain in bed
half the night with the tumultuous day playing over and over in her mind like a
bad song.

She relished the solitude and reflected on Alex and her life.
When he’d stalked off last night, she’d sensed his acceptance of the fact that
her life hadn’t entirely been her own to chart.

During the twelve lonely years in New York, she’d shied away
from trusting anyone. She’d fought for her independence, knowing her sanity
hinged on making a life for herself—alone. Her controlling and oppressive
father had conspired to suppress the family’s psychic curse in her. He hated
her abilities and tried to control every facet of her life after her mother had
died. Once he finally released his hold on her, his only child, she’d won her
freedom, but there was still an empty hole deep inside her.

A heavy sigh welled up. There would be enough time to
dissect Alex and her life after they found Lisette. She didn’t intend to ever
leave San Jose again.

When the doorbell chimed an hour later, eagerness mixed with
nervousness pulsed through her.

She’d experienced similar feelings whenever she worked on a
criminal case. However, this case included the unexpected—in the guise of a
gorgeous detective and a history between them that spanned the continent. Not
to mention the connection to the victim.

A man off-limits to you because of a stupid family curse
,
she reminded herself as she opened the door to Alex’s haggard face.

She arched her eyebrows at the steel box in his grip. “Do
you always travel with your toolbox, or is that a new style of briefcase?”

“You’ve retained that witty banter I remember so well.” His
words were cool, but the smile crinkling the corners of his eyes warmed
Juliana’s heart.

She eased aside to let him in the foyer. He set the toolbox
on the marble floor near the hand-painted bombe chest.

Alex returned to the door and tested the deadbolt. “I’ll
look at your porch light and deadbolt later.”

She blinked rapidly. “Okay.” Whoa, the day promised more
than she’d predicted.

Alex locked the door behind them, and they walked in
companionable silence side-by-side to his SUV, as if going on a date. When he opened
the passenger door, Juliana realized her fashion mistake.

“I’m glad I wore pants,” she teased, eyeing her knee-length
dress. Not waiting for a response, she hiked her leg up to climb into the SUV in
a very unladylike fashion.

“I don’t know about that. I like the dress,” he drawled
behind her.

A few seconds slipped by before Juliana realized what he’d
said. “Nice try.” She settled into the seat, tugging down her skirt. “And I
thought you were a gentleman.”

“I’m human.” He closed the door, sprinted around the front
of the vehicle, and eased into the driver’s seat.

She smiled to herself, pleased he’d managed to maintain his
humor.
Well, the Alex I remember has come home. To stay, or just for a
visit?

Juliana rubbed her arms, wishing she’d thought to bring a
sweater. Fashion mistake number two—short sleeves.

Alex looked exceedingly comfortable in his dress shirt and black
slacks.
Exceedingly edible
, an elusive thought whispered in her mind. A
shiver ran through her, but it didn’t stem from the cold air blast assaulting
her from the vents.

Juliana waited until Alex maneuvered out of the neighborhood
before asking, “How’s Andrea?”

He must have sensed her physical discomfort, because he
turned the air conditioner to low. “Hanging in there. She’s looking forward to
seeing you tomorrow.”

“Does that bother you?”

“I don’t want her upset any more than she already is.” His
grip tightened on the steering wheel as he drove the SUV onto the expressway.

She glanced at his profile, his face inscrutable. “I won’t
go if you don’t think I should.”

Alex shook his head. “It’s not up to me. Andrea wants you
there. She wants to be close to Lisette.”

Juliana’s heart jerked at the break in his voice.

“Look, here’s how I want to operate.” Alex’s voice turned
hard, controlled again. “News hounds are everywhere. You’re an old family
friend. I don’t want you going to Andrea’s or to the PD without my approval
first.” Alex pulled a business card out of his shirt pocket and handed it to
her. “Don’t use the PD phones. Use my cell number.”

“Sure, no problem.” Juliana noted the number jotted on the
back of the card before she slipped it in her purse.

“There are a couple of jerks at the PD who’d love to see me
fall on my ass with this case. Especially if they find out a psychic’s
involved.”

“I see.” Her contained voice contradicted the indignation
abrading her insides. “Is Internal Affairs on you for something?”

Alex turned his head, raising an eyebrow. “How’d you guess?”

She offered him a tight smile. He’d forgotten the intuition
that had played a large part in the connection they’d shared years ago. “What’s
the scoop?”

Alex opened his mouth, hesitated, then said, “Chad Shelby. He
thinks I’m responsible for his demotion to an Internal Affairs desk flunky. We
tested for lieutenant at the same time, but he screwed up a homicide case,
which I ended up solving.”

Alex paused as if deciding how much to tell. “One of the
murder victims was a witness he was protecting. They were engaged.”

“How were you involved?”

He swerved to avoid a traffic jam in the right lane. The shrill
horn of an economy car blared at him. Juliana squeezed the armrest, pulling on
the seat belt locking her in place.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” he muttered, then continued, “I got wind
of a hit on her and warned Shelby. He didn’t believe me, thought I wanted to
sabotage his case. Now he blames me for everything wrong in his life, and he’s
digging for any excuse to put the screws to me.”

“So if I botch your case, he’ll use it against you?” Juliana
feared nothing. After years of experience, confidence sided with her on this
one.

“Bingo.”

She longed to soothe the ragged scar pulsing on his face. “Then
you have as much to gain as I do by keeping my involvement secret.”

“You’ll use a fake name.”

“Leigh Duncan.” The pseudonym slipped out before she could
stop it. She used hers and Alex’s middle names. “I used the name with the NYPD,”
she felt compelled to add.

Alex shot her an assessing sidelong look. “Whatever.”

Jumpy silence enveloped the cab. She smoothed imaginary
wrinkles in her skirt. The pine-scented air freshener dangling from a stereo
knob suddenly caused her nose to prickle, and she scrunched her face to fight
back a sneeze

“Why didn’t you tell me you were telepathic at our first
meeting?” A muscle quivered in Alex’s jaw.

She lifted her eyes to see pain flicker across his handsome
face. She reached out to caress his cheek, but he grabbed her wrist in a steel
grip before her fingers made contact.

Sighing, she said, “It’s hard enough being a clown act in my
own mind, let alone in the eyes of every cop I meet. I wanted to prove my
abilities first.”

“Have you read my mind?” he demanded hoarsely.

Her skin smoldered where he grasped her wrist. She shook her
head, eyes glued to his profile.

“You expect me to believe you?”

The words stung. “It’s the truth.”

He released her wrist. The air conditioner cooled the
inferno his touch generated.

“Alex, I rarely let myself read people’s minds. If I did,
I’d go crazy. Literally,” she said insistently. “You have no idea what it’s
like to be around people whose thoughts range from stupid to outright criminal.
My brain overflows to the point that I can’t even figure out what
I’m
thinking.”

“
Can
you read my mind?” Alex’s voice softened.

“If I want to, and if your mind isn’t blocked.” She met his
stony façade. “I can’t read everyone. Some people can block their own
transmissions if they know how.”

“Have you tried?”

“To read you? No.”

Alex’s brows raised in disbelief. “Why not?”

Juliana collected her thoughts. “Because your thoughts would
scare the hell out of me.” Her voice trailed off in a whisper.

Alex stopped at a red light and turned to stare at her. The
intensity in his eyes bored into her, thrusting into her soul. His scrutiny was
familiar and somewhat frightening.

“Have I been that awful?” Contriteness wasn’t a normal state
for Alex, proven by the challenging yet awkward timbre of his voice.

“What do you think?” She laughed to defray the unease.

Alex groaned in mock annoyance and faced forward to stare
out the bug-splattered windshield. Suburbia enveloped them as they continued
past neighborhood shopping centers and entered a maple-lined street of older boxy
houses.

His voice startled her when he asked, “Can you really read
minds? No joke?”

“After this conversation, you still don’t believe me?” Juliana
laughed softly and crossed her arms under her breasts.

“I’m still ticked at you.” His lips edged up.

She suppressed a grin. “Gives me something else to look forward
to. Along with the mistrust.”

Unable to resist opening Pandora’s Box further, she asked,
“So what do you have against psychics?”

Alex’s face remained focused on the suburban street, but his
shoulders stiffened against the seat. “Let’s just say I haven’t had any good
experiences with them. And it’s old news to anyone who knows me.”

Did he only remember the negatives? Juliana let it drop.
She’d soon disabuse him of his pessimistic attitude.

Alex pulled into the bare driveway of a small tract home in
south San Jose. She glanced around in dismay as they left the SUV. Grass
browned in spots and weeds choked the flowerbeds. The cracked and uneven
walkway was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

“Is Jasmine expecting us?”

Alex shrugged. “Couldn’t reach her.”

He rang the doorbell several times until a sleepy female
voice from inside grumbled unintelligibly at them.

The door opened and an attractive, curvy woman in her
mid-twenties faced them. She wore a tight tank top and boy shorts sleepwear. Her
short platinum-blonde hair was bed-tousled. “Yeah, what’d ya want?”

Alex flashed his badge. “Jasmine Webley?”

“Jaz!” she yelled, her raspy voice grating on Juliana’s ears.
“Cops are here again.” Her eyes razed them. “Damn, they know how to grow ‘em in
San Jose,” she said in a sultry burr, eyeing Juliana suggestively. “And you’re
definitely my type.”

Juliana stifled a gasp. Alex shifted his head and arched an
eyebrow as he chuckled under his breath.

“Jaz!” The young woman flung another shout over her shoulder.
“Bet she spent the night at her sugar daddy’s.” She flounced away, leaving the
front door wide open, giving them a peek inside.

“See anything?” Juliana squeezed between Alex and the porch
wall. He moved aside to allow her a full view through the doorway.

Craning their necks, they peered into the sparsely furnished
room. “Probably college girls pooling their money to pay the rent.”

Juliana stepped a foot over the threshold.

Alex seized her arm, shaking his head. “Can’t enter without
an invite or warrant.”

His fingers danced on her bare skin before he dropped her
arm. Heat skittered down her spine.

“Receiving anything?”

“Nothing useful.” Other than the blonde having interesting
sex acts with Juliana on her mind, she’d read nothing helpful. The blonde woman
barely tolerated Jasmine and had no clue whom Jasmine knew or what she did away
from home.

The woman reappeared in the entry, eyes rolling. “She didn’t
come home last night.”

Juliana struggled to keep her telepathy centered on the
woman. Any slight hiccup and Alex’s thoughts would fly into her mind.

“Do you know where she is?” Alex asked.

“Beats me.” Her gaze raked Juliana from head to toe.

“Who’s the sugar daddy you mentioned? Grantham Chamber?”

“That old windbag?” The blonde woman snorted. “Wrong weekend
of the month.”

“Someone else?”

“Yeah. New guy she’s doing. Don’t know him, never met him,
don’t even know his name.” She yawned wide. “Now, can I go back to bed?”

She started to push the door shut, but Alex inserted his
foot between the door and the jamb.

“What?” Her twinkling eyes once again strayed to Juliana. “Care
to join me?”

“No thanks, honey. Another time.” Juliana threw the woman a
teasing smile, unable to resist flirting.

Alex thrust a couple business cards at her. “Give one to
Jasmine and tell her to call me. Keep the other for yourself. Call if you hear
from her.”

She held out her palm toward Juliana. “Where’s yours?”

“Fresh out, hon.”

A pout spread across the woman’s face before she whisked the
door shut.

Juliana’s laughter held until they were inside Alex’s SUV. To
her astonishment, Alex’s familiar deep laugh joined hers.