She strode to the door, snatched up her purse and yanked the door open. "This was a mistake." She turned to face him, doing her best to ignore his perfect, golden Adonis body. "One I won't make it again."
Zane cocked his head. In a cool voice, he said, "You still want me, Jasmine. We're not done. Not by a long shot."
She stormed from the room and slammed the door behind her. Her breathing didn't slow until she was alone in the elevator heading for her floor.
"Jesus!" she muttered. "How stupid can you be?"
She'd be useless for about twenty-four hours. No psychic abilities. Sex always put them on hold. She'd have to face Ben, and he'd know immediately.
And he won't be happy.
Ben had been there after Zane had left her. He'd picked up the pieces of her shattered heart and helped her see that Zane was just not good enough for her. He'd told her numerous times that Zane Underhill was not the kind of guy to stick around.
Ben had been right. Yet, he'd never said, "Told you so."
Jasi pursed her lips and ran her fingers through her hair.
You should've learned the first time around, stupid.
She stepped from the elevator and brushed her sweaty hands against her thighs. If she was lucky, Natassia would still be sleeping and she'd be able to slip into their room, unnoticed.
But Lady Luck wasn't on her side today.
When she entered the hotel room, Natassia and Ben were waiting for her. They didn't look too happy.
"What's up?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"We've been waiting for you," Ben said.
Natassia rolled her eyes. "I told him not to worry about you."
"Thank you," Jasi said. "Ben, I'm a big girl now."
"Who's here on a case," he added.
"Sorry. I stayed out a bit longer than I planned."
"A bit? You were gone all night."
She glanced from Natassia to Ben. "You haven't waited up for me all night, have you, Dad? I didn't think I needed to report to you where I'd be and for how long."
Ben sighed. "What you do on your own time is your business. You know that."
"Listen…" She sighed. "I'm sorry. I know you worry about me, Ben. But you don't have to. I'm a big girl now and I can take care of myself."
He watched her, his eyes narrowing. "So who were you out with?"
Jasi hesitated. If she told Ben the truth, she'd have to endure another lecture about why Zane wasn't the right guy for her. And she just couldn't take that right now.
"Yeah," Natassia said, grinning. "Tell us. Who's this mystery man?"
"Who said it was a man?" she quipped.
Ben stood, hands on hips, and cocked his head, waiting.
"Just an old friend, Ben. Nothing you have to worry about. I won't be seeing him again."
Ben gave her a hard look. His mouth curved into a frown. "Don't let this guy affect your work."
"I won't." She turned away, knowing that he suspected she'd done more than sleep. "Anything new on the case?"
"Prints came back from the Sampson residence," Natassia said, coming to her rescue. "No other prints except ours, Sampson's and his wife's."
Jasi flopped into a chair. She was frustrated by more than Zane Underhill. They needed a break, a clue, something to point them in the right direction.
"The evidence team did an X-Disc sweep," Ben said, sitting down across from her. "We're waiting on those results. We do know that there were no unusual footprints and no other obvious trace."
"So if someone went into Sampson's home," Jasi said, "they knew how to get in and out without leaving any evidence behind."
"If that's the case, our perp could be familiar with police procedure and evidence collection," Ben said.
Jasi leaned forward. "Any word on the blue binder?"
"It's still missing."
"Doesn't that seem odd to you?"
Ben nodded. "Makes me think there was something in it that someone wanted very badly."
"Badly enough to kill for," Jasi added, scanning a text message from Marilyn Winkler.
"Deirdre's back from Niagara Falls," she said. "She's at Winkler Manor right now. Marilyn suggests we come over and talk to her now."
Ben gave her a disapproving look. "Are you going like that?"
"No," she snapped. "I'll be ready in half an hour."
"Me too," Natassia said quickly. "I need to freshen up. We'll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes."
"Fine," Ben said, heading out the door. "Half an hour."
Jasi grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom.
"You okay?" Natassia asked through the door.
"Yeah."
"You sure."
"I'm positive," Jasi said, a little too sharply. Am I okay?
Between Ben's inquisition and Natassia's concern, she felt like she'd dodged a bullet.
As she showered, she thought about her night with Zane. It was all coming back to her now, the warmth of his hands on her body, his mouth on hers.
How could I be so stupid?
She closed her eyes and let the water pound down on her head and body, washing away every physical trace of Zane. But it wasn't the physical she was so worried about.
She'd learned years ago that there was a heavy price to pay when she had sex. It drained her of every ounce of psychic energy and left her unable to do her job. Even if she walked into a still smoldering fire, she wouldn't be able to read it for about twenty-four hours. No matter how hard she tried.
"Damn you, Zane."
But it wasn't really his fault. He had no idea what he'd done. He didn't know what she was, what she could do. She'd never told him.
"You're an annoying snag, Zane Underhill. An obstacle I have to avoid at all cost."
She didn't need any more complications in her life. She'd have to learn to say 'no' to him. She could do that. She was a self-reliant woman now, not some sniveling girl who needed a man in her life to fulfill her.
As she stepped from the shower and pulled on a plush hotel robe, she glared at her reflection in the mirror.
"Just say no. How hard can that be?"
19
I covertly studied the CFBI agents as they gathered in the hotel lobby.
"They have no idea who they're messing with," I said beneath my breath.
My eyes followed Agent Jasmine McLellan as she approached the other two. She was a gorgeous woman. Sexy and smart. Too damned smart for her own good.
How much does she know?
The media was dutifully following Winkler's murder and the mystery surrounding Porter Sampson's disappearance and memory loss. But even those unscrupulous reporters had no idea what was really going on. My plan was in motion. Any deviation from the plan, like Winkler, would be taken care of. Permanently.
"Do you need some assistance?" a voice interrupted.
I turned and smiled in the direction of a young woman. Her polished nametag read 'Simone.' She stared back. She seemed nervous.
She should be.
My eyes traveled down to her v-neck blouse, then back up to her graceful neck. I could almost wrap one hand around that neck.
"I'm just leaving."
When I smiled at her, she smiled back.
Don't tempt me, my dear.
I watched her leave and caught sight of the predators that were hunting for me. They'll never catch me. I'm smarter than they are. I have control.
I grinned, recalling the look of horror on Monty Winkler's face when he had caught sight of the hypodermic needle in my hand. All those questions in his eyes. He didn't know he was one of my failures. Must have been awful knowing that he was going to die and not being able to move or do anything about it.
Poor Monty. He was shocked when I poured gasoline over him. The most satisfying part of that evening was lighting the match and tossing it into the dingy, before setting it adrift on the current.
I thought of Porter Sampson. It had almost worked with him.
"So close…"
/>
I let out a frustrated sigh. Porter was a problem and that was a shame. All those months of work.
"Why are some so resistant?"
I thought of my other subjects, my converts, as I liked to think of them. Everything was going perfectly with them.
But I'm running out of time.
"Damn it! I needed Winkler and Sampson."
With the CFBI watching Sampson so closely, it would be hard to get close.
Shit. Sampson's a definite problem. I'll have to take care of him. The sooner, the better. Before he recalls something.
I glanced at the CFBI agents. They were going to be a problem.
"If so, I'll take care of them."
As I left the hotel, I thought of my plan. I smiled. There is justice in this world. As long as I carry it out myself.
Divine justice.
The irony made me laugh out loud.
20
Ben drove one SUV, while Jasi and Natassia took the other. That way they could interview Deirdre Dailey and get a look at Monty Winkler's will, then split up afterward if they got any good leads. It had been Jasi's idea. Kill two birds with one stone.
From the look on Marilyn Winkler's face, Jasi realized birds weren't the only thing in danger. The woman perched on the edge of the sofa, hands clasped in her lap, all the while scowling at her sister, who sat as far away as possible.
The file stated that Marilyn was almost forty-seven years old. That would put Deirdre at twenty-nine. It could be one reason for their obvious rivalry. Plus the younger woman was very pretty, not to mention model-thin.
Deirdre sat in the armchair, looking completely at ease. Her rich brown hair was sleek and freshly styled in a bob that was longer at the front, with a one-inch section on the right bleached to a pale blond. But her eyes were her best feature. Thickly lashed, they were a brilliant shade of green, far brighter than Jasi's.
"I had a sectional eye enhancement done," Deirdre said, catching her off guard. "My eyes used to be the same dirty brown as Marilyn's." She frowned in her sister's direction. "I wanted mine to be different. So I chose green."
Green, the color of jealousy, Jasi thought.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."
Deirdre smiled. "I'm used to it. When I went for my SEE treatment everyone thought I was crazy."
A movement near a doorway caught Jasi's eye. James.
He hovered there, looking uncertain as to whether he should join them or walk away.
"James, be a dear and get us all a drink," Deirdre said, as if she were the lady of the house.
James glanced at Marilyn.
"Fine," she said. "I'll have a glass of lemonade."
"Rum and coke," Deirdre said without missing a beat.
"Isn't it a bit early for alcohol?" her sister asked dryly.
Deirdre shrugged. "I'm on holiday."
Marilyn turned to Jasi. "Would you care for a drink?"
"Nothing for me, thank you."
Ben and Natassia also declined and James left the room.
"Deirdre, you left the day before Monty disappeared," Ben began. "What prompted your sudden holiday?"
"I've been having a difficult time adapting to my father's death. And I've been overworked."
Marilyn let out a derisive snort.
"I decided to take off for a few days," Deirdre continued. "Is that a crime?"
"Someone murdered your brother-in-law," Jasi said. "That's a crime."
"I had nothing to do with that. I wasn't even here."
Absentmindedly, Deirdre pulled a pack of cigarettes from her purse. She caught her sister's disapproving look and smiled. "Marilyn is the perfect sister. She has no bad habits." The cigarettes went back in the purse.
Ben consulted his data-com. "We understand you work at Paragon with your sister."
"I'm in a different part of the building. The satellite research department. I rarely see Marilyn." She gave her sister a disparaging look. "She's too busy securing government contracts so she can study atmospheric deterioration."
"How would you categorize your relationship?"
"Marilyn's the boss. Just like Daddy wanted."
Ben leaned forward. "Your father passed away last year. Is that correct?"
"Passed away is a mild way to put it," Marilyn interjected.
"Why do you say that?"
"He was killed in a boating accident, trying to repair the engine. It blew up. When the Coast Guard found him he was still alive. He was covered in burns. It was awful." Deirdre reached for a tissue. "He died a week later."
There was a moment of silence.
"I'm very sorry," Jasi said.
The woman shrugged. "What's done is done."
Jasi glanced at Ben, who gave a small nod.
"Mrs. Winkler," she began, "have you got a copy of your husband's will? I'm sure you're aware that we have a warrant for it."
"It's in Monty's office. I'll go get it. Excuse me."
When she was gone, Jasi turned back to Deirdre. "Is there anything you want to tell us about your relationship with Monty while your sister's out of the room?"
The woman shook her head. "Nothing I can think of. I was a bit troubled a few years ago. I'm sure my sister told you all about it."
"You mean the affair you lied about?"
"I'm not proud of that time in my life. I was angry at my sister. She seemed to have it all, while I had nothing." Deirdre smiled. "But I'm past that now. I'm very happy now."
"How was your relationship with Monty?"
"He forgave me. He was a great brother-in-law, very patient. Couldn't ask for better."
"Do you know Porter Sampson?"
Deirdre considered the name. "I don't think so. Was he a friend of Monty's?"
"You haven't heard about him in the news?"
"I rarely watch the news. Besides, I've been on holiday. Remember? I have more exciting things to do than watch the world crumble to pieces bit by bit."
Marilyn returned with James' briefcase, followed by James who carried a tray of beverages. He set the tray on the side table, while Marilyn placed the briefcase on the coffee table and sat down again.
"All of Monty's life insurance forms and his will are in here," James said, unlocking the case and withdrawing a folder. "The payout on the insurance policy is two million, to Marilyn."
Jasi eyed Marilyn. Her expression remained unchanged.
"That's a lot of money, Mrs. Winkler. You're not shocked."
"I already knew about it." The woman smiled tightly. "I didn't mention it before because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"I thought it might make me look guilty."
"Are you?"
The look the woman gave her was unwavering. "No."
Jasi wasn't sure if she believed her.
"When did you find out about the life insurance policy?"
"I always knew about it. It was my idea." Marilyn straightened. "We each took out two million dollar policies."
Jasi's gaze drifted to James. "Did you know about this?"
The man nodded. "My brother didn't keep much from me. I handled all his legal matters."
How convenient, she thought. For James.
Brother James was looking more and more like their number one suspect. Perhaps he wanted everything his brother had, including Marilyn. It was certainly motive enough for murder.
"You handled his will then," she said.
"I drew this one up about two weeks ago," he said.
"Didn't he have one before that?"
James shifted nervously and she swore she could almost hear his bones rattle.
"Monty wanted to change some of the beneficiaries."
Marilyn's calm composure snapped. "Why would he do that?"
"Wait a minute," Jasi said slowly. "Are you saying you haven't read the will yet?"
Marilyn shrugged. "Monty specified that Deirdre had to be present for the reading, so we've had to wait."
Jasi bit back a smile. This could prove
to be interesting.
Ben quickly scanned Monty Winkler's will, then passed the entire folder to Jasi. Her eyes latched onto the payout clauses.
Yes, very interesting indeed.
"Mrs. Winkler," she said, "your husband left a million dollars to Paragon Research Corporation."
Marilyn's anger deflated. "Well, that's more like it."
"Actually, he left it specifically to the satellite research department." Jasi shifted her gaze to Deirdre. "That's your department, isn't it?"
The look on Deirdre's face was one of stunned surprise.
"Oh my God. I can't believe it."
"What do you mean, you can't believe it?" Marilyn demanded, jumping to her feet. "I know you, Deirdre. You had something to do with this. What did you do, ask him for money for a new house or another car?"
Deirdre laughed. "I didn't ask him for a cent. I guarantee you, dear Sis, I had nothing to do with Monty's will."
Marilyn clenched her fists at her side. "Shut up! I don't want to hear your lies." She took a deep breath. "Agent McLellan, what else does the will say?"
"It looks like your husband left all the cars except yours to charity." Jasi perused the will, then glanced at James. "And your brother-in-law here was left a comfortable amount―"
"How much?" Marilyn demanded.
"Fifty thousand."
"What about the rest? His investments, properties, all that?"
Jasi handed the will to Natassia before replying, "Mrs. Winkler, I'm not sure how to tell you this."
"What?"
"It seems that your husband amassed some large debts. Most of his investments will be used to pay off that debt. He did, however, leave you this house and everything in it, plus your car and ten thousand dollars in a high interest savings account."
"Ten thousand dollars?" Marilyn's face paled. "That's it?"
"And the house," James said quickly.
"Plus the life insurance," Jasi added.
Sure seemed like a lot of money to her.
Marilyn appeared to be on the verge of collapsing. She sat down again and blinked back tears, while James moved to her side and rested a bony hand on her shoulder.
"Alrighty then," Deirdre said. "Am I done here?"
Jasi nodded. "For now."
Deirdre stood quickly and headed for the door.
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