Shadow of Danger by Kristine Mason Page B

like one too.”
    John sniffed. “Really? And here I thought I’d gotten rid of the stench.”
    She shifted her gaze to him. Former FBI? Interesting.
    Carl’s chuckle drew her attention away from John. “Okay, enough of the chitchat, I’ve got three other women to autopsy. So let me give you the rundown on Ruby Styles.” He rested a pair of cheap, black framed reading glasses at the tip of his nose.
    “Wait,” she interrupted. “I don’t want to know any of this. It might interfere with my reading.”
    Roy nodded. “Whatever you say.” 
    John didn’t roll his eyes like she’d expected him to. Instead he suggested they let her sit in Carl’s office with the necklace, while they stepped into the corridor to discuss the details of the autopsy.
    Carl handed her a sealed sandwich bag. “Have at it. The only prints on the charm are the victim’s, so you’re free to touch it with your bare hands. Let’s let Celeste do her thing.” He rose, nodding to the others, and headed out the door.
    They all followed, except for John. “You need anything?”
    “You mean like my crystal ball?” Lame joke, but her nerves were working overtime.
    He smiled without mirth. “Seriously.”
    “Nope, I’ll be fine. Would you please close the door behind you?”
    Although he nodded, he lingered.
    “Go, shoo,” she said, and waved her hand.
    Shaking his head, he moved into the hallway, closing the door.
    When silence filled the room, she unsealed the plastic bag, then drew the gold heart-shaped charm and broken chain into her hand.
    “What happened to you, Ruby?” She closed her eyes and clutched the charm. The pointed part of the heart bit into her palm. She winced and clutched the charm closer to her chest. She regulated her breathing and stared at the tile floor. 
    Concentrating on the black and white mosaics, she felt a pull, a slight tug to her psyche as her mind began to fall into that familiar tunnel she’d been down before when trying to gain a reading from an object. Her mind spiraled and pitched from side to side. Rapid movements, flecks of images lined her peripheral vision, but it was what was at the end of the vortex she wanted to see, needed to be a part of to gain the vision she needed. Swirling, colliding, a kaleidoscope of colors...
    There.
    She gasped. Crystal clear. She blinked her dry eyes, focusing...focusing...
    “You lookin’ for some company, honey.” Ruby used her best sultry voice to command his attention.
    He leaned against his rig, one booted foot crossed over the other, while he smoked a cigarette. “I don’t know,” he drawled. “Are you?”
    Ruby released a low, husky laugh. “Honey I’m always lookin’ for company.”
    He appraised her, seemed to drink in her shiny black hair, her skimpy hot pink tank top, ultra short denim skirt and spiky black heels. “I bet you are,” he said and tossed the cigarette onto the asphalt. The red hot ember sparked as it hit the blacktop, then crashed and burned.
    Oh, she had a hot one tonight and might even enjoy this ride. He wasn’t hard on the eye, with his sexy smile and dark beard. She liked a guy with a beard. It made him look rugged, masculine.
    She cocked her head to the side and batted her lashes. Not too much, though. She’d perfected the look and didn’t want to overdo it. Sauntering over to the rough cowboy, she settled a manicured hand on his hard chest, inhaled his cologne and smiled. 
    “Mmm-mmm, you smell good.” She flattered him with a sensual smile. A little something she’d picked up from one of the other lot lizards who worked the truck stop. “I love a strong man,” she said in a sultry tone as she tip-toed her fingers across his muscular chest.
    He grinned and settled his gaze on hers. His silver eyes seemed to assess her worth. “Come on, I know of a place we can go.”
    She hesitated, then jerked her head toward the old motel opposite the truck stop. “I’ve got a place here.”
    He shook his dark head.