Page 35 of In His Sights

It was more than that familiar scent, and Dan knew it. Their fingers had touched, and… he couldn’t quantify the sensation. He’d never felt anything like it. He hadn’t lied when he’d told Gary he’d like company while he ate, but he was honest enough to admit if Gary hadn’t made the suggestion, Dan would have invited him.

This is not good.

He needed to remember he was there to do a job, to help the police find a killer. That had to be his focus.

Except that focus had already become blurred.

What is it about you, Gary Mitchell, that turns me inside out?

IT WASN’Ta large restaurant, and Gary had nailed it when he said it wasn’t fancy, but the atmosphere felt right. One wall was plain brick with the words Noodle Barn stenciled on it in white paint, and the opposite wall was a deep shade of red. Bare bulbs in metal cages hung from cables descending from a ceiling track. A red padded bench ran the length of the brick wall, and dotted along it were wooden tables to seat two or four customers. The rest of the floor space was taken up with tables arranged to leave enough walking space around them, surrounded by black-painted chairs.

The food was a blend of Vietnamese and Thai, and one mouthful of the dumplings had been all Dan had needed. “You weren’t lying.” His taste buds were in heaven. “This is awesome.”

“Wait till you try the mango rice. I know I suggested it, but—”

“You had me at mango. Then you went and mentioned shrimp, and that was it, I was drooling.”And the fact you’re looking edible in a casual brown sport coat that picks out the color in your hair has nothing to do with it.Dan had removed his own coat not long after they’d arrived.

Gary took a long drink of water. He hadn’t suggested alcohol, which was a relief. Dan wanted to keep a clear head, and he was having enough of a problem achieving that with Gary facing him. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

Dan steeled himself for the usual questions.

How long have you known you were psychic?

Tell me about some of your experiences.

Can you read minds?

“Ask. If I can answer, I will.”

Gary pushed away his empty plate and wiped his lips on a napkin. “Lieutenant Travers told us you’d requested that your involvement be kept secret. Surely publicity means more work?”

He relaxed. “Do you recall Lewis asking if I did this for a living?”

Gary huffed. “Not a conversation I’m likely to forget. Is this where I apologize again?”

Dan smiled. “There’s no need. And Lewis’s behavior only reflects badly on him. I told him it didn’t pay well, but that I didn’t do it for the money. That was partly true.”

“Which part?”

He sighed. “I don’t charge for my services. And I like to keep things private. I prefer to work in the background, helping where I can.”

Gary arched his eyebrows. “A man of independent means?”

“You could say that. Lewis’s barb about me being a rich kid? Guilty as charged. But that has meant I have the time and the finances to go where I’m needed. I don’t need publicity because believe me, word of mouth is more than enough.”

Dan’s brush with unasked-for publicity had left him wary and scarred, and he didn’t intend repeating the experience.

Their entrées arrived, and he was grateful for the welcome interruption. He wasn’t about to reveal his history, and he hoped to God Gary wouldn’t press him further. Thankfully the food occupied them for a while, but the knot in Dan’s stomach prevented total enjoyment. He couldn’t finish it, so he contented himself with eating all the chicken, the fat shrimps, and the succulent pieces of mango.

Gary seemed to be suffering from a similar affliction. Then Dan remembered he wasn’t the only one who’d had a stressful day.

He put his fork down. “I think I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

Gary’s brow furrowed. “For what?”

“I put you through the wringer today. You should’ve told me.” His and Cory’s relationship must have been pretty special. Dan envied him. He’d never been that close to anyone his entire life.

“That was sort of the point of the exercise.”

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