Page 116 of The Lady Has a Past

“Really? I would think it would be quite useful.”

“Matthias tells me the problem is that everyone lies. As far as he’s concerned, it’s intent that matters.”

“That’s very interesting. Simon has an ability to sense emotions infused into objects.”

“He can do that?”

“If the energy is strong enough.”

Amalie walked into the small tearoom. “I think you and I have a lot to talk about.”

“I believe we do,” Lyra said.

She and Amalie were deep into a conversation about their new careers when Simon appeared in the doorway of the tearoom.

“Am I interrupting anything?” he asked.

“No, I should be getting back to the office,” Lyra said.

“And I’ve got some work to do,” Amalie said. “Lyra, it’s been a pleasure. We must get together again soon. Perhaps the four of us—you and Mr. Cage, Matthias and I—could meet for drinks at the Paradise soon?”

“That would be lovely,” Lyra said. “We’ll look forward to it, won’t we, Simon?”

He gave her a bemused smile. “Sure.” He turned to Amalie. “Do you think your cook might be willing to give me the recipe for her shortbread cookies?”

Amalie laughed. “Of course.”

A few minutes later Lyra and Simon walked out the front door of the inn and got into the Cord.

“Out of curiosity, do you happen to have read Dale Carnegie’sHow to Win Friends and Influence People?” Simon asked.

“No,” Lyra said. “Why do you ask?”

Simon laughed and fired up the big engine. “Never mind.”

“How did things go with Dr. Tinsley? Are you going to help him with his demonstration?”

“Yes.” Simon put the car in gear and drove down the long drive toward Ocean View Lane. “I don’t think he and the others in that new laboratory will get far with their paranormal research but I do agree that Otto is serious about studying extrasensory perception. He’s tooold to be on the road all the time. It will be good for him to settle down and devote himself to what he sees as his life’s work. The college he hopes will employ him is in L.A.”

“Not far away.” Lyra smiled. “That’s good. Let’s invite him to join us for dinner at the Burning Cove Hotel tonight.”

“You know, people used to accuse me of being a recluse, but lately my social calendar seems to be filling up fast.”

“That happens when you’ve got friends and family.”

“I seem to have acquired a lot of both recently.”

“And you haven’t even met my parents,” Lyra said.

“Trying to scare me?”

“Nope. Wouldn’t be possible. You’re an agent of Luther Pell’s Failure Analysis, Inc. You catch bad guys for a living and you’ve got serious paranormal talent. Nothing scares you.”

“You’re wrong,” Simon said. “One thing scares the hell out of me.”

“What?”

“The possibility that I might have misunderstood you earlier when you said you loved me and that you’d marry me.”

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