The Light Walker, page 10
“When?” She didn’t want him to go. He was the only person who seemed to understand her.
“I do not like the idea of sneaking around your brother, but from the sound of things, a call from me would get you in some trouble, am I correct?”
She nodded sadly.
He handed her a business card, very simple and elegant, gold lettering on a cream background. “Call me at the number on the bottom when you are able to meet again. We’ll speak more.”
Cassie clutched the card in damp fingers.
“But understand this, Cassie.” His voice grew solemn. “I will not be part of a childish rebellion. If you want to behave like an adult, I am willing to help you find your way. If, however, you only want to play-act at gaining your independence, I will not be a pawn in your game.”
“Oh, Markos, I would never—” She gulped at the fear thickening her throat, then straightened. “I want to be your friend. I won’t let you down.”
The stern face relaxed; white teeth flashed quickly. “Very well. I look forward to our next meeting.” With that, he walked away, never looking back.
Cassie held the card to her breast. Glimpses of freedom beckoned. Markos would help her.
If she wasn’t strong enough to overcome Dante, he surely was.
Bent over a report, Jace studied her wording, trying to get it just right. A shadow fell over the paper, and she looked up.
“Hi.” Gabriel’s voice, low and husky, sent a tingle through her. Three days had passed since they’d spoken.
“Hi yourself.” She glanced around the room. “What’s up?”
“Got a minute?” His posture was casual, but the vivid blue eyes pulled at her.
Jace shrugged. “Sure.”
Silence fell between them. She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t called him as she’d promised.
“How’s the case going on Sam Sunshine?” Gabriel jingled the change in his pockets.
“Fine. Actually, not so fine. Got some odd results in the blood testing. I’m doing some follow-up now.” Jace stirred, picked a pencil off her desk and twirled it through her fingers.
“Yeah?” But his tone said he wasn’t that interested in Sam Sunshine.
“How about you?”
Gabriel shrugged. “Same old, same old…trying to put away the bad guys and barely making a dent.”
“Yeah. Sometimes we don’t see much progress.” Their conversation had never been so stilted. He’d been angry when they’d last parted, and now she couldn’t read him at all.
“Listen, Jace, I wondered if you’d want to go out with me.”
Whatever she’d expected, this wasn’t it. “Out? You mean like…a date?”
A faint smile softened the uneasy lines of his face. “What if it was?”
“But we don’t date.”
Gabriel glanced around the room. “Can we go somewhere to discuss this?”
She realized that Cardozo was standing nearby, very still. “Follow me.”
They made their way out into the hall, deserted for the moment.
“Listen, about the other day…it was that I was worried, but not because I don’t think you’re competent. If you don’t want to talk about your cases, you don’t have to.”
Jace found a small smile. She had missed him, she’d admit. After what had happened at Sabanne’s house…
She hadn’t eaten enough that day, that was all. She’d become lightheaded, as a result, plus she was suffering a hangover from whatever had been in the air at The Club. And there was all that weird stuff at Sabanne’s place, all that talk of priestesses and other woo woo crap…anybody would have been weirded out.
“Look, I’ve got to go to this cocktail party tonight, and I just thought maybe you’d like to come with me. A little change of pace. We could stay there long enough for me to do the necessary handshakes, and then we could split and go have dinner.”
“Cocktail party?”
He smiled like the old, easy Gabriel. “Don’t look so sick. You clean up fine.”
“I barely own any dresses.”
His smile vanished. “Look, if you don’t want to go, all you have to do is say so.”
If she turned down this overture, it would hurt him. She didn’t want to do that. A sure cure for what was ailing her was a big dose of normal. Gabriel was as normal as they came. She’d welcome a return to their days of easy fun. “I’m not—it’s just that—Do we have to call it a date?”
“Not if it bothers you.”
She worried at her lower lip.
“Forget it.”
“Yes,” she said hastily. “I’ll go.”
Gabriel’s blue eyes locked on hers, and he bent toward her.
Footsteps sounded, coming down the hall.
They stepped apart.
“I’ll pick you up at six.” Before she could respond, he was gone.
When she saw they were headed toward the expensive houses, Jace was glad for the shawl she’d borrowed from Myra. Fringed and beaded, a rainbow of colors, it brought Jace’s simple black slip mini-dress to life. Black stiletto sandals completed the outfit which repeatedly drew Gabriel’s attention from the road.
Jace kept the conversation light, just shop talk and sports. She’d worked with men long enough that it was second nature. Gabriel’s full complement of charm was turned her way, and she found herself relaxing, thinking everything might turn out all right.
Until they turned into the drive of Dante Sabanne’s estate. “Why are we here?” Her heart sped up.
He nodded to the mansion, a bright jewel in the dark night. “This is where the cocktail party is being held.”
Just then a valet approached. “I’ll take care of this for you, sir.”
Gabriel handed him the keys and alighted, circling the hood. A second valet had already opened Jace’s door for her.
“You ready?” Gabriel wrapped one arm around her waist.
“I guess.” Think about this as an opportunity to take Sabanne’s measure again. To see that he’s just a man. Rich, yes, and maybe with odd interests, but only a man.
“I know politics isn’t your thing. I promise we won’t stay long.”
“And I’ll try not to stick my foot in my mouth. Or use the wrong fork or something.”
He gave her a gentle squeeze. “You’re a beautiful woman, Jace. I’m proud to be seen with you.”
A very nice thing to say. Gabriel was a nice man. Jace steadied herself and let him draw her toward the door.
The entry’s impact was even stronger at night. The niches, and the precious objects within them, were studies in light and shadow. Dramatic torches with their golden glow heightened the sense of magic. A babble of voices rolled over Jace as they walked inside, the passionate strains of flamenco guitars in the background.
This was a big gathering, lots of glitter and dazzle, Santa Fe society at its finest. Jace saw judges, an assortment of state representatives, agency heads and a sprinkle of celebrities. Oh, crap. A reception line. Nerves fluttered to life. Stop that. She stiffened her spine. Of course she was out of place in this glittery company, but she would do her best not to embarrass Gabriel.
As they neared Sabanne, she concentrated on scanning the crowd dispassionately, taking deep, slow breaths to calm herself. Gabriel stepped out of line to speak to a dignitary.
Then there he was. Sabanne extended his hand, and she froze. She didn’t want to touch him again.
But others were watching. Don’t be silly, Jace. She swallowed and complied.
Again she plunged into the vortex. Her knees buckled as stars burst behind her eyes.
“Hold on,” Sabanne murmured quietly, sliding his arm beneath hers and bracing her.
The sound of his voice brought her out of it, blinking.
He steadied her, then quickly released her.
His eyes remained locked on hers.
She couldn’t look away. Couldn’t speak.
Just then, Gabriel returned. “Gabriel McMullen, Mr. Sabanne. And this is—”
“The detective and I have met.” Sabanne shook Gabriel’s hand with a firm grip.
Gabriel darted her a swift look of surprise but recovered quickly. “Nice place you have here. Thank you for the invitation.”
Sabanne graced Gabriel with an easy smile, but he stayed focused on Jace. “I am delighted you could come. Please make yourselves at home.” He turned toward the next guest.
Jace proceeded through the line, barely listening, inwardly reeling. What the hell was that?
Gabriel guided her to a corner. “I didn’t realize that you’d met him.”
She jolted. “Oh. Yes, I—I interviewed him about Sam’s case.” Jace drew the shawl more tightly around her. “Could we get something to drink, please?”
“Sure thing. I’ll get you a glass of champagne. Be right back.”
She leaned against the wall and desperately wanted to sit down. Instead, she locked her knees and flicked a glance at Sabanne. Right now his head was bent as he paid close attention to some small brunette whose husband stood close as if guarding her. Smart man. She watched other women preen for him, gravitating toward the dominant male in the room, however much his power might be masked beneath a veneer of gracious host. Age didn’t seem to matter, nor did marital status. Young and old, married and single, every one of them perked to attention when near him. Whether or not it was a conscious act on his part, he held them in thrall.
Not me, buster.
Then he lifted his gaze and looked straight at her.
And her stomach took a dive.
Jesus. All the way over here, across a crowded room, his gaze seemed like a physical caress.
That was it. He was just a Casanova, a virile male in his prime, and she’d succumbed to the lure. Sex was okay. She could deal with that. Feeling your heart knock against your ribs could be fun. She’d experienced something like it at the Club. She squinted, trying again to imagine Sabanne with a mask. There was no light show tonight, no smoke, no pounding music to obscure her judgment.
Jace licked her suddenly dry lips. His focus zeroed in on her. Excitement sizzled down her spine as they stared at each other. Her nipples reacted.
Gabriel stepped into her field of vision and broke the connection.
Jace faltered, and Gabriel grabbed her. “Are you all right?”
“Of course.” She stepped away from him. Good God. She focused on stilling a heart that shouldn’t be racing. This was insane.
“Would you like to leave?”
“I’m fine,” she snapped.
He handed her the champagne and visibly withdrew.
She got hold of herself. “Sorry. Long day.” She exhaled her irritation. “Don’t let me stop you from whatever you need to do.”
“So that we can go someplace more private after?”
She summoned a smile. “Exactly.”
He saluted. “You got it, ma’am.” He clasped her hand and led her through the crowd.
Over the next hour, Jace thought her face would freeze into a smile. She saw several people she knew, eyebrows lifted at the sight of her with Gabriel. She met more people than she cared to remember. Making an effort to be gracious because she knew this night was important to his career, she ignored as long as she could a pounding headache and an urgent need to find the ladies’ room.
Finally she excused herself and went in search of quiet and privacy. She stayed in the bathroom longer than necessary, splashing cold water on her face and rotating her neck to relieve the stiffness.
Returning to the gathering, Jace spotted ahead of her a room shrouded in darkness. Through the bank of windows, moonlight bathed the mountains. Needing just a few more minutes to herself, she entered the room and neared the windows, drinking in the view of stars and mountains and moon.
She sighed in appreciation.
“It often affects me that way.” Sabanne’s voice prowled through the darkened room.
Jace whirled, clutching her shawl tighter. “Excuse me. I didn’t mean to trespass.”
He stood several feet away, only the gleam of his white shirt and his voice helping her pinpoint his location. “A beautiful woman bathed in moonlight is never an intrusion.”
Rousing himself from where he leaned against the doorjamb, he approached her. The pale glow splashed across his features, throwing them into a landscape of light and shadow. One bar of darkness cast an impromptu mask over his eyes and for a moment…
She stared, trying to impose the hazy memory over the angles of this man’s face. If his hair were loose—
Was that you?
One eyebrow rose. “I beg your pardon?”
Hell. She’d said it out loud. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. “At The Club.”
“Are you speaking of a nightclub?” He stared at her. “I do not frequent them.”
She couldn’t read him. Had no idea if he really didn’t know. “This isn’t a nightclub, well, not exactly. It moves every night.”
“Moves?” he echoed. “Where?”
He seemed honestly puzzled. She glanced again at the ornate silver ring. “All sorts of venues—warehouses, abandoned storefronts, only one night at each location.”
“Does this have something to do with your investigation?” His voice turned suddenly sharp. “Are you interrogating me, Detective?”
She hastened to backtrack. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”
“I read the newspapers. There have been two unexplained deaths in a town that has few. I am an acknowledged expert in exotic poisons. You have asked me about means of administering them. Now you ask me if I were present at this…club?” A raptor could have no more penetrating a gaze on its prey.
“I…” It would clearly be a bush league mistake, thinking she could trip this man up. “I saw a man there with long dark hair like yours is all.”
“And he was doing something illegal, should I conclude?”
She was grateful for the darkness in the room to hide her hot cheeks. “Not that I know.”
“There is more to your story, Detective.”
“Nothing important,” she stammered. Earl and the captain would kill her if she alienated an expert they needed, just because she’d been unnerved by some guy who might not even exist.
“I was under the impression that your department needed my assistance.”
The threat was clear. This man was richer than God and very well connected. Dangerous ground.
“We do. I apologize for any miscommunication. Thank you for the view. I’d better be getting back.” She edged past him, giving him as wide berth as possible, wishing there were another path out of the room. He smelled of midnight in the deep forest…verdant…spicy. Mysterious.
He took a step closer. “Return soon. We will talk.” He extended his hand.
She skipped to the side, bumped the doorway.
A small curve of lips over eyes that made her shiver. “Do I make you nervous, Justine?”
Justine? She gathered the ragged edges of her composure around her. “Of course not.”
“We will meet again. You are a puzzle. I am seldom able to resist one.”
“Try,” she snapped. “Good night.” She made her way to the door.
“Detective.”
She halted but didn’t turn.
“Apology accepted.”
She paused, closed her eyes. Forced herself to walk slowly down the hall.
But she felt his gaze on her long after she’d put the crowd between them.
Chapter Seven
Gabriel stared at the road lit by the beam of his headlights, obviously preoccupied. After the first couple of miles, he exhaled loudly and raked through his hair. “Why would you interview Sabanne about Sam Sunshine?”
She tightened her shawl around her shoulders. “He’s an expert on exotic poisons. We got some odd readings on the rape case, and maybe on Sam.”
Gabriel straightened in surprise. “The same readings?”
Work. Yes. A safe detour. “We don’t know about Sam yet. They’re running some more tests.”
“Why couldn’t the lab tell you what they were?”
“Apparently, the compounds they found weren’t from something Victor recognized right off the bat, plus he’s really swamped. Rather than do the research, he encouraged me to call Sabanne.”
“Did Sabanne help?”
She gave a tiny shrug. “A little.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught his quick frown. “I guess a guy like that has enough money to delve into whatever weird stuff he wants. That’s why he’s got all those unusual weapons around, too?”
“He’s into studying the ancient world, its weaponry and rituals…” Her voice trailed off. Sexual practices…
Just sex, that’s all it was. All she’d felt, some kind of animal magnetism between them.
But the dark, the vertigo…the exploding colors…
Not going there. So not going there.
“Must be nice not to be working stiffs like us, huh?”
“I guess.” Normal. Gabriel was normal. She was normal.
“Some crowd tonight.”
Jace was ashamed that she hadn’t asked before. “How do you feel? Did you accomplish what you wanted?”
“Judge Carrizales thinks I should run for state office.”
“Gabriel, that’s great. You must really be impressing the right people.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I just work hard.”
Jace squeezed his arm. “You’re very talented.”
“For a lawyer.” At last he grinned. “Better if I was still a cop.”
It was a relief to return the smile. “Goes without saying.”
He hesitated. “You okay tonight, Jace?”
She stiffened. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Sure she was.
“You, uh—where do you want to go to dinner? You didn’t eat anything, as far as I saw.”
“Neither did you.” She’d lost her appetite.
“Too busy talking and pressing the flesh.” He kept his voice carefully casual, but she could hear the uncertainty.
