Don't Touch by Elise VanCise Page A

Don’t let her get to you. Maybe
Amber is trying to do the right thing she just can’t seem to figure
out what that is. “
     
    Putting a hand on her hip she gave him a
look. “Don’t devillify her. I want to be mad right now anyway, it
will keep me grounded. Maybe that’s why I stupidly answered the
phone.”
     
    As they walked out he added to the flames
just to see her lovely brown eyes turn black. “Fine at the end of
your visit the other day she thanked me for escorting you. Like we
had you out on a day pass from the nut house. Kind of ticked me off
too.”
     
    Her eyes did go black and narrowed. He almost
felt sorry for Amber when she called back. Almost. As angry as Ryan
was it didn’t last the whole ride. As they pulled into the parking
lot she was slipping on her gloves nervously. When she got them on
Jackson took one hand. “Hey, you are going to do fine. Tom and I
will be right there behind you.”
     
    With a deep breath Ryan got out of the car
wishing she didn’t have to let go of his hand. She felt stronger
with his large hand wrapped around her tiny one. The station was
busy and Jackson stayed close to make sure her path was clear and
she didn’t get bumped into someone or something.
     
    Finally reaching the conference room she gave
a big sigh of relief. Jackson opened the door to reveal Captain
Heinz, Thomas, and a beautiful brunette woman.
     
    Ryan’s big smile reached her dark eyes making
them warm. Captain Heinz stood and motioned for her to sit across
from the woman. “Dr. Reign, it’s nice to meet you. I only wish it
were under different circumstances. You do understand that this is
not a direct reflection on you or your ability?”
     
    Ryan took the offered chair and was glad that
he didn’t offer to shake hands as well. She felt like a hive of
bees were loose in her gut. “I understand, Captain Heinz. I would
be more concerned if you had taken everything at face value.”
     
    That seemed to please him. The Captain
reminded her of her own supervisor. Ten to one he had the same
tendency to go nuclear. But not at the moment, he sat down and
introduced the lovely woman. “I’m glad you took no offense. This is
Barbara Peters. She has done some work for me in the past and has a
strong talent not unlike yours.”
     
    Barbara smiled as Ryan realized who she was
sitting with. “The same Barbara I’ve been talking to on the
phone?”
     
    The woman laughed and it was as warm as her
smile. With a southern accent she said. “Yes, that would be me. I’m
so glad to finally meet you Ryan. You look wonderful.”
    The buzzing bees dissipated with the
recognition and Ryan relaxed. “It’s good to finally meet you
too.”
     
    Seeing the confused look on all of the men’s
faces Barbara explained. “I have been mentoring Ryan as she learns
her gift.”
     
    Ryan’s excitement waned. “I still think it’s
a curse. I just want to learn how to control it. Not being able to
touch is horrible but knowing I can help the detectives catch
something worse helps.”
     
    Barbara gave her a nod. “Then let us get
started so you can go to work.” She pulled out a bag with some
items in it. “Now I’m going to set out some things I’ve gathered
from people in the office. They are out there waiting just so we
can confirm your reading. I’ve already read them and it was
recorded for comparison. Just do what you’ve been doing.”
     
    Placed on the table was a stapler, a small
picture frame, one of those stress balls in the shape of a
revolver, and a coffee cup black with a Jolly Rodger on one side
and “Dead men tell no tales” on the other. Barbara sat back and
waited patiently.
     
    Ryan started with the stapler. She figured it
would be the worst, more than one impression. Everyone had taken
hers at the morgue. Many times she had to go in search of it.
Setting it in front of her she pulled off her right glove.
Pleasantly this baby had been kept practically under lock and key.
“Captain