To Touch a Thief (An Everly Gray Novella) Read Free Page B

 
    “Un-huh. So, basically what you’re saying is that I’m the only crazy person you know. Just because I pick up stuff about people and things doesn’t mean I’m nutty enough to try and commune with the dead.”  
    My voice had reached an uncomfortable decibel level, and Mitch snagged his phone from my hand. “She’ll do it, Jayne,” he said, wrapping his arm around me and nuzzling my neck. “Yeah. I’m sure. Later.”  
    He clicked the phone off and tossed it on the counter, then turned me into his body and offered his hand for my touch. “I know you don’t want to do this, but you’re the only one with enough experience to pull it off.”  
    My fingertips touched his skin, and images flooded my mind from his dinner with Jayne. I plopped down in the nearest chair. “Okay I get it, but I want to hear the details from you.”
    He backed up to the counter and hiked himself up. Strategic advantage maybe. Or not. His grin showed off the dimple in his cheek, the one that made my knees weak. My crossed arms and failed attempt at a steely expression didn’t seem to intimidate him in the least.  
    “Sorry. I am taking this seriously. It’s just that—”  
    I interrupted him. “You know I’m a marshmallow.”
    “No. I know you’ll want to sink your teeth into this one.”
    “Oh?” My curiosity sprang to life, tantalizing and tingly. I was born with a case of stubborn curiosity that got me into trouble on a regular basis. And it looked like Jayne’s request might be more fun than I originally thought. I banished the hope. This was Jayne, after all.  
    Mitch shrugged. “That’s for her to tell you. But trust me. You want to do this.”
    “Nope. Don’t want to do it. I will, but nothing short of murder would make me want to…” I stopped short. “Wait a sec. Is there a homicide involved? That wasn’t in the images I picked up when I touched you.”
    He slid off the counter and crossed to me, his stocking feet making wispy sounds against the tile floor. “No, Sunshine. I’ve given up finding bodies and hope to hell you have too. I’m planning to stick with photography. Less mess.”
    “A girl can hope.”  
    He opened his mouth, and I quickly covered his lips with my hand. “My bad. It isn’t that I’m in favor of murder, but I do like to turn my fingers loose on unsuspecting killers.”
    After planting a soft kiss against my palm, he moved my hand aside. “So Chief Hayes mentioned last time I saw him. There’s some potential criminal activity here, but not of the fatal variety.”
    A sigh built from deep in my chest, and I blew it out with a whoosh. “Give me the details. Maybe it’s time for me to touch something criminally interesting that doesn’t involve a DB.”
    “Jayne can fill you in on the basics, but probably can’t say much about specifics. Forensic accountants have the same confidentiality issues that you do with your personal coaching gig.”
    Curiosity and anticipation took over my brain. “You’re right. I want to do this. It’ll be a challenge to work around Jayne and figure out what’s going on. When’s the séance scheduled?”  
    “Don’t know. Soon, I think. But there’s more.”  
    He ducked his head, and for a minute I caught a glimpse of what he was like as a little boy. Cute, but unnerving.  
    “Hmm. So, spill.”  
    “Uh, the guy Jayne is lusting after…”
      I nodded, then filled the empty space created by Mitch’s sudden silence. “Considering her personality, I can see that lust would be a rare occurrence. But why is this important?”
    Mitch ran both hands through his hair, leaving it a tousled mess. No way could I resist following the track of his fingers with my own. The silky curls were slick and smooth against my palm. Images danced across my internal monitor, but I ignored them in favor of enjoying the sensation of touching him. I so loved this man. Even if he did have a wacky sister.  
    “Parker Steele.” Mitch’s words were