Lost and Found Read Free Page A

someone as wildly attractive as this detective, but for some reason, it was important to her that this man know she ran a respectable business.
    “Jess,” Jamie said, laughing at her sister’s naiveté. “I think magicians perform tricks. Prostitutes turn tricks.”
    “Whatever. Don’t you have someplace to be?” Jessie asked impatiently, gazing meaningfully at her sister. Jessie knew she was being rude, but ever since they were infants, Jamie had reveled in aggravating her older sister. She just loved watching Jessie squirm. “My point is that this isn’t some kind of prostitute clubhouse,” she said to Duncan .
    “But they do come in here regularly? Prostitutes and some street kids? You know some of them?” Duncan asked, attempting to put the proper gravity into the question when he’d really prefer to forget about his reason for coming here. He would much rather concentrate on getting to know this woman better.  
    “I suppose so, but we’ve only been open for a short time. I don’t know them all by name or anything. Two months isn’t really long enough to establish any kind of relationship, is it?” Jessie asked earnestly. “With a customer, I mean.” She looked up and her dark eyes locked with Duncan ’s startling blue ones. Suddenly, Jessie wished Jamie would leave, and not just because the younger Martin girl was so determined to stir up trouble. Jessica was surprised to note that she desperately wanted to be alone with Detective Reinhold and explore this heat that seemed to be boiling over between them.
    As if reading her mind, Jamie moved away from where she’d been glued to Duncan ’s side. From the sparks between her sister and the cop, she was pretty sure old Guido was going to be out of luck. “I’ve gotta go, you two. It was nice meeting you Detective. If you’re bored some night, come see me at the Kitty-Kat lounge.” With a flip of her auburn mane and a wink at her sister, Jamie was gone, leaving Jessie and Duncan alone.

Chapter 2
     
    Jessica fought the impulse to call Jamie back. Now that she was alone with the detective, she felt extremely awkward. Jamie drove her crazy, but at least she kept things interesting. Jessica, when forced to interact with strange men, usually ended up saying something incredibly inappropriate or laughing either constantly or at the most inappropriate times. That was exactly why she’d hired her Assistant Manager, Clay. He was extremely adept at interacting with everyone, especially attractive men.  
    She moved some books off the dark green chair opposite the one Jamie had been sitting on, and sat down on the edge. She waved a hand toward the other chair and Duncan sat down across from her. Now they were sitting squarely face-to-face with their knees just inches apart. She couldn’t remember his last question and didn’t want to look stupid by asking him to repeat himself. His long legs nearly brushed hers as she tried to think of something clever to say. All she could come up with was, “Do you read, Detective?”
    “ Duncan . My name is Duncan ,” he said. The words were out before he realized it. For some reason, he didn’t want her to think of him as a nameless, faceless cop. Duncan gave himself a mental shake. Why the hell would I tell her that? She doesn’t need to know my first name. What is wrong with me?  
    “I read mysteries and historical biographies mostly, Miss Martin,” Duncan said, determined to get back on track. “But I didn’t come here to get a book.” He pulled a photograph out of his coat pocket, suddenly all business. “Have you seen this young lady around?” he asked, carefully watching her expression as she took the photo in her pale hand. He glanced quickly at her ring finger and was very pleased that it was bare.
    The picture was the standard posed graduation photo of an unsmiling young girl with frizzy blonde hair, mascara smudged eyes, and a heart-shaped face. Jessie studied it for a moment and then said,