Charmed (Second Sight) Read Free Page B

that. Disappearing someone always brought trouble. That was a fact . And once there was trouble, it was just like a cancer. Good cells went bad. The spread was inevitable. And cancer treatment? It was sometimes worse than the disease.
    “Stop it,” he muttered, setting the glass down so hard that one of the ice cubes bounced out. It skittered across the black granite of the lab bench, leaving a wet trail, before it disappeared among the glass beakers across from him.
    Just hold on , Maurice thought. You’re not there yet.  
    “Accentuate the positive,” he said, sitting up straighter, though the white lab coat tugged at his shoulders because he was sitting on it.
    The only thing that was really screwed up now was the queue. That couldn’t be helped. So there’s no point in thinking about it. Slowly, he shook his head and his thoughts returned to the reason the queue had a hole in it in the first place–Isabelle.
    Let Geoffrey try to turn her. His brother did seem to have a way with the women.
    Maurice gazed across the lab. This was where he shined. He’d built it slowly and carefully, the whole thing really: the lab, the commune, the business. It was a well-oiled machine at this point. And it had been so much work. It couldn’t end now. It just couldn’t.
    Give Geoffrey his chance–he glanced at the refrigeration unit–and then we’ll see.

CHAPTER FOUR

    THOUGH GEOFFREY CLUTCHED her arm to him as they walked side by side, Isabelle couldn’t help but glance at the guard behind them. This was new too. Even Geoffrey seemed different–a bit subdued.
    This might not be as easy as she’d thought. Maybe Mac had been right.
    “And your boyfriend,” Geoffrey said, as though he’d heard her thoughts. “Is he still in the picture?”
    She knew what Geoffrey wanted to hear but that’s not what she said.
    “Honestly,” she said quietly, looking down at the gravel path in front of them, “I really don’t know.”
    What were Mac’s plans for the case? If she’d bothered to ask, she might know. But, what she’d said must have had the ring of truth.
    “I’m sorry for your pain,” Geoffrey said, sounding equally truthful and actually suffering on her behalf. “So often, though, change is like that.” Isabelle had to look at him. Geoffrey offered her a sad smile and patted her gloved hand on his forearm. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
    They walked in silence for a few moments and Isabelle realized they were headed toward the main house. But she’d found the frame and photo that told her Daniel was alive in the dorm, the long building to their right.
    “I was wondering,” she said. “If we might look at the dorm.”
    “You’ve already seen the dorm,” Geoffrey said.  
    Had he tightened his grip?
    “But isn’t that where I’d be staying?” Isabelle said, feeling her heart race a little faster.
    There’d be no point to the trip if she couldn’t see the dorm.
    “You know,” Geoffrey said, lowly. “Maurice isn’t in favor of your being here.” Surprised, Isabelle tried to stop but Geoffrey propelled her forward with a firm hold on her arm. “But I can vouch for you,” he said, heading to the main house. “I mean, it’ll take a bit of fast-talking but I’m sure I can get Maurice to see it my way.” Geoffrey paused and looked sideways at her. “If that’s what you want, of course.”
    Isabelle felt a chill run down her spine. Geoffrey was offering to help and that help would come at a price. And Isabelle could easily guess what it would be. But she wouldn’t be staying and it would never get that far.  
    If I’m going to find Daniel, I need to search here.
    They were nearly to the front of the main house, the dormitory getting further away and the guard still behind them, though keeping his distance.
    She wasn’t going to get to the dormitory–not easily at any rate. But she had to find something, some clue that would prove this hadn’t been in vain.
    Isabelle took a deep