Page 40 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

Simin didn’t make the connection and whispered to her husband, “Who?”

“The Reader who’s always making headlines in criminal cases,” Matthew said, filling her in. “He’s nationally famous for being able to read anyone in a glance. Wow. I did not expect to ever meet him in person.”

Jon took the whispering in stride as I gathered up phones and watches, putting them into the bag. Then I handed it to Matthew for safekeeping, as I doubted he would want me to hold it.

Eshaal bounced over to the hostess and asked for a table. I kept studying her, trying to reconcile the scared little girl I’d once met with the vibrant young teen in front of me. She looked so much healthier, freer, and my heart relaxed seeing her like this.

As we followed the hostess to a table, I signaled Jon with my eyes and jerked my chin subtly toward Matthew.He okay?

Jon gave me a reassuring nod.

Phew, good. I’d hoped my first impression of the man was right, but Jon’s assurance put me fully at ease.

We were escorted to a table that sat six and got comfortable. Eshaal sat right next to me, Simin across from me, which neither of our partners minded. I was just as eager to speak to them, so I was glad for the seating to be arranged this way.

“Simin, how did you and Matthew meet?”

“We met in London, after you went home. He worked in the embassy building, and I was constantly in and out of there for a few months, trying to get my visa straightened out. We kept bumping into each other.” She gave him a sweet smile. “He asked me out for coffee and it was the best date I’d ever had.”

Probably the only date she’d ever had up to that point, considering I knew her first marriage had been arranged.

“I rushed things a bit,” Matthew admitted. “I was working as an ambassador’s aide, and I knew I had a time limit. ButI was able to convince her that I adore both her and Eshaal and I couldn’t imagine leaving them behind in London. We had a courthouse wedding in London, then a proper wedding celebration here with all of my friends and coworkers. Both of them wished so much you could be at the wedding, but we didn’t know where you were.”

“Probably still in rehab. I was there for a good year before I was released.”

Simin looked visibly upset. “Oh no. Donovan, did it take that long for you to heal? I thought you got all your treatment at the London hospital.”

“Yeah. Sadly, the hospital in London only released me so I could get more treatment in America. But I’m fully recovered now. Once I got my feet underneath me, I moved back in with my parents temporarily. That’s how I ended up here in Nashville. I was job searching, trying to get back to real life, when I interviewed for a position at a psychic detective agency.” I shot Jon a warm smile. “And met him.”

Jon picked up the story smoothly, sharing my smile. “I knew in a glance how amazing he is. I insisted he be hired. My boss was worried about me—I have something of a track record with criminals attacking me—so he said if I was so sure of hiring Donovan, then he could be my bodyguard and assistant. With us working side by side, it didn’t take long for us to fall for each other.”

Took about ten minutes on my side. Man was easy to love; I had no defense on that score.

“When will you get married?”

“September is our goal. We’re trying to lock down a date and a venue right now. I hope you three can make it?”

“Four,” Jon corrected in a factual tone.

Eh? The hell was he saying?

Simin’s jaw dropped. “I’m barely showing!”

Ohhhh. Jon did another Jon-ism. “Simin, you’re pregnant? That’s great!”

Simin looked pleased but also shocked on some level. “Jon, you can see that?”

“I can see a lot. Sorry, I forget what I’m told and what I’m just seeing.”

I loved how he was downplaying this. “Assume you have no secrets, it’s the better bet. He does this all the time. But I’m really happy for all of you, congrats.”

Eshaal did look excited about the news. “I always wanted a sibling. I finally got one thanks to Dad.”

Awww, she really had accepted Matthew fully as a parent. I was glad about that, too.

“What else can you see?” Simin prompted Jon. “Gender?”

“Hmm, a bit too early to tell. Healthy, though. Glowing with health.”

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