Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,6
and make him want to… Oh dear. She knew Sadie took an interest in the employees’ love lives, but so far she hadn’t bothered the regular patrons.
On the other hand, Brandee hadn’t seen him in his uniform for quite some time. Today he was wearing a black polo shirt and jeans. I hope he hasn’t been laid off. People who didn’t believe in psychics sometimes got desperate enough to try anything if they were in trouble.
Brandee might not want to date him—correction, she totally wanted to date him, but she didn’t want to be discarded after only one night. She’d been dumped in every possible way, including via text message. There was no reason to encourage a guy whose mantra was “Love ’em and leave ’em.”
Even so, she considered him a friend, like many of the regulars. How could she find out what had happened without putting Sadie in the middle?
No one sat near Sadie’s booth that she could wait on, but—ah-ha—the next booth over needed to be cleaned up. Brandee grabbed an empty tray and a damp cloth, then casually made her way to the empty booth.
Nick’s back was to Brandee as he said, “Is that all you can tell me, Sadie? She’s in the theater district? Nothing more?”
Sadie glanced at Brandee, who quickly went to work wiping the table.
“I’m surprised I could tell you that much. The cards aren’t really designed to pinpoint locations. Is there any other information you can give me that might spark some of my purely psychic senses?”
“She’s twelve.”
Twelve? Dear Lord, I hope Sadie isn’t talking about his future wife.
Nick continued talking. “And as you could see already, her distinguishing characteristic is white hair.”
“White? I thought it was platinum blond.”
“No. She was born with no pigment in her hair at all. The pieces you saw were broken off. It’s long. Halfway down her back.”
Brandee couldn’t believe what she was hearing. He was describing her little cousin Katie. The daughter of Boston’s new mayor and Brandee’s new step-uncle. But why?
“How long has it been since her kidnapping?” Sadie asked.
Brandee snapped upright. “She’s been kidnapped?”
Nick craned his neck to look behind him. “How much did you hear?”
Brandee rounded on him. “Enough to know you’re describing my cousin Katie. What’s happened to her?”
“I’m not at liberty—”
She tossed the rag on the other table and crossed her arms. “I’m not going anywhere until you answer my question.”
Nick patted the seat. “You’d better sit down.”
Brandee slid in beside him. He smelled good. A faint hint of spice tantalized her.
“I’m working as a private investigator now, Brandee. I’ve been hired to find a missing girl. What’s your cousin’s last name?”
“St. George.”
“Whew. Wrong kid. Your cousin’s in the clear.”
“Wait. She was adopted by her stepdad. I forgot about that. Her name was probably changed to his—Bennett?”
Nick blew out a slow breath. “I’m sorry. Kate Bennett is the little girl I’m looking for.”
Brandee’s jaw dropped and she couldn’t speak for a moment. Nick placed his big hand on her shoulder and massaged it. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m…I’m just a little shocked. How can I help?”
“What can you tell me about her?”
“Probably nothing more than her parents could. We’re not that close. I mean, the family gets together at my grandparents’ home every Christmas Eve, but she’s so much younger than I am. I mostly say ‘Hi, Katie. How’s school?’ She says, ‘Fine,’ and then I go off to talk to the adults.”
Guilt washed over her. What a horrible person I am. If Nick brings her home safely, I’ll play with her, braid her hair, take her places. All the things I should have been doing before this.
Nick didn’t look as if he judged her for it. He just waited, maybe hoping she’d recall something that could help.
“She’s in seventh grade at Cambridge Academy, and she plays soccer.”
“Yes, I’ve talked to most of the teachers, her coach, the parents who drive her to and from practices, and her teammates.”
“Then you probably know more about her than I do.” Brandee dropped her gaze to her lap. “I wish there was more I could tell you.”
He placed a gentle hand on her thigh. A warm tingle rushed through her.
“Me too. But don’t worry. I’ll do everything in my power to find her.”
His determined gaze spoke as strongly as his voice did. Brandee was sure he wouldn’t leave a stone unturned.
“Please let me help. There must be something I can do.”
He offered her a sympathetic smile. “If you think of anything else…” He pulled a card