The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove #5) - Amanda Quick Page 0,107

From the looks of your clothes and your choice of hotels, it seems you did well for yourself on your East Coast tour. Have you gone through all the money you made?”

Anger and something else—something that might have been pain—sparked in Otto’s eyes. He got the strong emotions under control in a matter of seconds but Simon was oddly flummoxed by the small revelation. Otto rarely displayed any genuine emotions. He was always, always under control.

In search of enlightenment, Simon glanced at Lyra. She had just popped a small slice of shortbread into her mouth.

“Now I know why you’re so hard to read, Simon,” she said around a mouthful of shortbread. She dusted crumbs off her hands, picked up the plate of shortbread, and offered it to him. “You learned from a master, didn’t you?”

Simon glared at her and then at the tray of cookies. Unable to think of anything else to do, he picked up a slice of shortbread and took a bite. It was excellent.

Otto smiled at Lyra. “Are you implying he learned that trick from me?”

Lyra set the plate on the table and gave him a serene smile. “Simon is very good at concealing his emotions. I believe you taught him that skill, didn’t you?”

Otto raised one shoulder in an elegant, modest shrug. “The ability to project a certain image is vital if one hopes to control—”

“The audience,” Simon concluded. “You taught me that a long time ago, and I will admit that it has proven useful from time to time. Now if you would just tell me what the hell you want—”

“As it happens, I don’t need to borrow any money from you,” Otto said. “Not this time. I’m still flush from the tour.”

Simon stopped by the coffee table long enough to pick up another slice of shortbread. “Don’t keep me in suspense. There must be something you think I can do for you.”

Otto exhaled heavily and appeared to brace himself for rejection. “I want you to assist me with the demonstration I am scheduled to give to the members of the Department of Parapsychology at the college where I hope to obtain a position. I need someone I know has some strong talent. If I advertise for volunteers I’ll get fakes and people who are delusional. I must have someone with at least some proven ability.”

“Forget it,” Simon said. “I told you, I’m never going onstage again.”

“I’m not asking you to go in front of an audience,” Otto said. “The only people who will be present aside from you and me are the faculty members who will vote on whether to accept me as a researcher.”

“That’s an audience,” Simon said. “I’m no longer in show business.”

Otto gave a bleak nod and picked up his teacup. “I was afraid you would refuse, but I had to try.”

Lyra set her cup down on the saucer. “How about me? You said I had some talent.”

“What the hell?” Simon said.

“It would be an interesting experience,” Lyra said. “I’ve always been curious about the theories of paranormal energy. It’s exciting to know that some serious research is going on. I would love to assist Dr. Tinsley.”

“Can’t you see that Otto is trying to take advantage of what he thinks will be a money-making opportunity?” Simon growled.

“No,” Lyra said. “I don’t believe that. I think Dr. Tinsley sincerely believes in the paranormal and he wants a chance to prove that there is such a thing as extrasensory perception. What better way to go about it than by engaging in serious research in a properly equipped laboratory?”

“What makes you so sure Otto isn’t a fraud?” Simon said.

Lyra smiled. “Simple. He found you and identified you as someone with genuine talent.”

“He used me.”

“No, that’s not true.” Otto slammed his cup and saucer down with enough force to send tea sloshing over the side. He paid no attention. He shot to his feet. “I didn’t use you. We worked together. We were a team.”

“You needed me to make money,” Simon said. “Admit it.”

“You needed me to take you out of that orphanage before they decided to lock you up in an institution.”

Lyra sipped tea calmly and lowered the cup. “Sounds like you needed each other. No, I take that back. I’d say you rescued each other.”

Simon and Otto swung around to face her.

“Do you mind if I ask why your act broke up?” Lyra said.

“Ask Simon, not me,” Otto muttered. “He’s the ungrateful wretch who walked out. Never bothered to tell me why, either.