He saw her reflection in the glass, the look of pure horror on her face.
He didn’t see what she was seeing.
“Raina?” he said.
Trying to reach her, he almost tripped over Titan. The dog was doing the same. At first, Raina didn’t seem to see either of them.
He caught her gently by the arms, turning her to him. She still didn’t seem to see him, but she didn’t protest his hold. And she was suddenly grasping wildly for her back, for the zipper, anxious to get the garment off.
He was afraid that, as she struggled in his arms and he attempted to help her, Titan would get protective and attack him. But the big shepherd stayed seated nearby, whining, worried and anxious.
The zipper was down. Heedless of his touch, she shimmied out of the dress. She was clad in only her bra and panties. Throwing the dress across the room, she sobbed as she fell into his arms.
“You saw it again?” he asked softly.
“As if I was there. As if I could smell the blood,” she whispered.
Then suddenly she seemed to realize how exposed she was, and in a relative stranger’s arms. She pulled away and they both stared at each other. Awkward, to say the least.
There was a directional quilt at the foot of her bed. He grabbed it and wrapped it around her shoulders. She swallowed, nodding. He thought of it as a “thanks.”
Titan thumped his tail on the floor and whined.
“Titan!” she said. She knelt down by the dog. “Sorry to scare you, boy. I’m good—really.”
She wasn’t. Titan’s affection sent her toppling backward, losing the quilt. Axel offered her a hand and she accepted it with a wince and a quick, “Thank you.”
She regained her balance and awkwardly retrieved her hand. “I’m sorry. This is all so bizarre. I swear I’m not just being dramatic or seeking attention. I like my life. At least, I did like my life. Wow. I’m rambling again. I don’t know what is happening. Maybe this helped find a body. But it does nothing to help the woman. Or to catch the killer. I wish—”
“I know it’s asking a lot, but are you still okay to take a ride out to the site with me?”
She stared at him.
She had a right to say no. He was asking a civilian to help in a murder investigation. One who was terrified by her own visions. She had every reason to back out, but instead she inhaled deeply, still staring at him. “Do you really think it would help? I mean, this mirror thing with the dress...it’s ridiculous. And I’m not sure—”
“I’m not, either. And I know I’m asking a lot. I know you have a life and this has been...” He paused, grimacing. “Upsetting, to say the least. But—”
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes,” she repeated firmly. “I’m flexible until Friday evening. I have to be at a fundraiser. Titan and I are part of the entertainment for the night. If you want to go now, it’s fine. I’m just going to put on some jeans.”
He nodded. “I want you to be sure.”
“I’m okay,” she assured him. “I’m not going to lose it again, I promise. No more screaming or stumbling around. No matter what.”
“Hey, anyone would scream if they saw what you did. I’ll wait for you in the living room.”
He turned and left the room. To his surprise, the dog padded out with him.
Maybe it was more important now for Titan to keep an eye on him than it was to watch out for his owner.
Raina joined them in a matter of minutes.
“House is nice,” he told her.
“Thanks.”
“You live alone?”
“With what I do, I prefer to live alone.” She grimaced. “My clients usually have four legs and I work with them here sometimes. One of my friends, Lucia—actually you would’ve met her years ago, too—thought we’d make great roommates. But while she loves Titan, she’s afraid of a lot of other dogs. I knew it wouldn’t work.”
“I see,” he said, and then couldn’t resist asking, “Does your vocation make dating hard?”
She shrugged. “If you don’t like animals—dogs especially—you probably don’t want to be dating me.” She turned the question around. “What about you? Does being a fed make it hard? Oh, are you married? I suppose I have no reason to assume...”
“No, I’m not married,” he said. “And yeah, my vocation makes it a little difficult sometimes. Anyway, let’s get going, shall we?”
“Of course.” She headed for the door, and then swung back. “Titan,