Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  The P.I. could track the payouts as the Kingsleys would withdraw the entire amount needed for their associates and pay them accordingly. She figured that the Kingsleys kept ten percent of the take. She was baffled as to why the Bureau hadn’t put this together, but it really wasn’t something that they could prove in court.

  It was late afternoon once she finally finished going over everything and she wiped her face with her hands and groaned. She hated paperwork; she was more an action kind of gal, hands on so to speak. Rae popped into her mind and she moaned at the thought of placing her hands all along that body. ‘Stop it Delacroix! You don’t know what she knows.’

  Shaking her head, Del felt her stomach let out a rumble. A quick glance at the clock revealed she’d worked through lunch and now she was hungry. Quickly cleaning up the scattered files and closing her laptop, she locked up the room and headed out to her Jeep. Perhaps she would overhear more valuable tidbits over supper at the diner. Once the Jeep was started, she reached over and pulled up the passenger side floor mat; revealing the lockbox. She quickly locked both her laptop and her files inside and headed for the diner.

  j

  Del moaned a little as she finished the last few bites of her burger. It had been grilled to perfection and more than filled her. She’d been disappointed when she’d walked into the diner and saw that no one from earlier was still there. Grabbing a seat at the bar, she’d intended to just eat and leave again. Now, pushing her plate away, she looked up and noticed a man in a Chief’s uniform coming through the door in the reflection on the glass cake cover in front of her. She returned his smile as he took up the bar stool next to her, and was served a coffee without asking. Looks like this trip to the local gathering hole wasn’t for naught after all. He looked cocky and she knew it wouldn’t be long before he tried to strike up a conversation so she decided to wait him out.

  “We don’t get many strangers in town, and certainly not many as good looking as you. I’m Chief Sam Brito at your service ma’am. Let me be one of the first to welcome you to our fair town.” The man was slightly potbellied, but had a sharp look in his eyes.

  Del fought the urge to roll her eyes, but turned and offered him a polite nod anyway. “Well, thank you for the welcome. It’s a nice town, seems like you boys are doing a good job taking care of the place. Delaney Delacroix, pleasure to meet you Chief.”

  He took the hand the blonde offered him, and held it a little longer than what was polite, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “And if I may ask, what is your business here in Leroy. Mary mentioned that you were looking for Jenny LeBlanc.”

  Del pulled her hand away, her gut twisting at the feel. She felt the thrumming in the back of her mind make itself known at his touch, only unlike Rae; it felt dark and sinister and not at all something she wanted to provoke. “Mary is correct. Her mother is worried about her. I imagine she just got upset like most young ones do every now and then and took off. I should find her before too long.”

  Narrowing his eyes, he caught her withdrawal. “Amelia should have come to me. I didn’t even know that Jenny was missing until Mary mentioned it to me yesterday evening. If you want, I’ll be glad to take over for you.”

  Del caught the narrowing of the eyes and knew she was treading dangerously. She knew this man’s type, best to play to his ego and sense of importance. “Oh, I’m sure she just didn’t want to bother you too much. After all, Jenny probably just ran to friend’s house somewhere. She probably felt you had bigger fish to fry than an upset young woman. You boys are too important to go on a wild goose chase for a girl hitting her teen years a little late.” Del chuckled.

  Nodding his head, the Chief agreed. “True, we stay pretty busy here, but I’ll go talk to Amelia and tell her that I’m taking over first thing in the morning. A little lady like you shouldn’t be out in the country tramping around. I’m sure that your husband would rather have you home, waiting on him.”

  Del genuinely laughed at that. “I’m sure he would be, if I had a husband. I appreciate your offer Chief, but I think I can handle it. Not all ladies are content to work in the home,” she waved to the waitress to bring her check.

  Grinning Sam Brito almost smoothed back his hair, but he did suck in his gut a bit. “Well then, how about you and I going out for some dancing then. I’m sure that I can show you a mighty fine time.”

  Del had the sudden urge to throw up, but clamped it down and instead offered a tight smile. “I’m flattered Chief, truly, but I’m only in town for this job. Besides, you seem like a fine gentleman, but you’re not quite my type,” she glanced at the check and tossed some money onto the counter, finally turning to face the man while she finished her conversation.

  The man sneered as he realized what she meant. “It’s a shame that you feel that way. I know that I could change your mind if you gave me the chance. I’m not like every other guy.”

  “A shame perhaps for the men, it usually works out for me,” she copped him a sly smirk, knowing she was pushing her luck with this man, but not quite able to bring herself to stop. “But I really do prefer my partners to be a little less well, male. That means all men. Not just a few. It’s possible that not every woman on the planet needs a man to take care of her.”

  With his face turning red in embarrassment, Chief Brito stood up and hitched up his pants along with his gun belt. “If that is the way that you’re going to play this Ms. Delacroix then I will have to ask you if you have a license to carry that gun you’re carrying underneath your jacket. We don’t like people sitting in our diner armed.”

  Knowing she pushed about as far as was good for her, Del decided to play nice, for now. She pulled out her P.I. license flipping it over to show him the endorsement for her firearm. “Here you go Chief, you never can be too careful. You seem pretty on top of things. Why, I bet you’ve already checked that convoy of hunters out front with all the rifles they must be packing.”

  Glancing out the front window Sam Brito scowled when he saw she was right. “You just take care of your business and let me do my job. Take one step outside of the law, Ms. Delacroix and I will arrest you.” He threw a couple of dollars on the counter and stalked outside to ask for the hunter’s permits and licenses.

  Del allowed herself a moment to shake off bad vibes she’d gotten the whole time he’d been next to her. After getting herself back on balance she left the diner; offering the Chief a quick wave, a nod, and perhaps a victorious smile before she jumped into her trusty Jeep and headed back to the Inn. It had gotten late and something told her it wouldn’t be good to be in town alone with the Chief in a bad mood.

  A Chapter 6 a

  Sitting on the front porch with her cell phone in her hand, Rae was arguing with herself on calling Del. She really wanted to hear the blonde’s voice; to let it caress her ears the way that her hands had started caressing her body that very morning. ‘Please Goddess...give me strength.’

  Tired of watching his witch fight with herself, Rori decided he would end her misery with a distraction. He jumped onto the porch railing to sit eye level with Rae, waiting for her to notice him.

  “And where have you been all afternoon? I’ve been worried sick...between you and Del; I’m going to go out of my mind.” The brunette laid the phone on the table next to her chair and leaned forward.

  “Sorry to worry you child, but I’ve been talking with the town cats. Seems like Miss Delacroix has just met our Chief. You had to pick a feisty one, didn’t you?” His tail twitched, showing his amusement.

  Rae scrunched up her face as she thought of the moves that man would have made. “Yuck, just the mental picture of him and what he’d like to do with her makes me ill. And if the feeling that I get from her is correct, she wasn’t shy in her comebacks. She doesn’t take fools lightly.”

  “You’d be correct in that one. From what I hear, she not only told him she wasn’t interested, but she made him look like a caveman in front of the entire diner. By the time she left, he was pretty red
faced, meaning he was not happy with her. You and I both know what that means Rae. She needs to watch who she pushes. Sam Brito is not a man you want to be on the bad side of.” Rori jumped into his human’s lap, content to watch the sunset with her.

  Sighing, Rae ran her hand down her pet’s back, letting the simple action calm her own ruffled nerves. “I know, but I have the feeling that she won’t listen to me. She’s one that has to learn on her own.”

  “Sounds like a certain other woman I know,” he paused here, getting a feel for Rae’s current state through their link. “You know it is for the best that you give it a day or two before you see her again.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I still want to talk with her. I can’t explain it Rori. You should be able to feel it. The lines are in harmony for the first time in what seems like forever, and it happened the minute that she got here.”

  “I know, I know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. Couldn’t you have found someone...I don’t know...a little less thrill seeking?” Another pause. “Oh Goddess. Call her already; I can’t take much more of your mental moping,” he scolded her, being sure to let her feel his amusement to take the sting out of his words. “I thought we were past the teen years.”

  Picking up the phone, the brunette stuck her tongue out at the feline. “I’m a late bloomer, so get over it.” Punching in Del’s number from memory, she waited for the blonde to answer.

  Del’s head snapped up from where it had been resting on the keys of her laptop, quickly reaching for the phone sitting on her nightstand. Not recognizing the number, she quickly answered in her usual clipped manner. “Delacroix”

  “Umm, hi this is Rae...I’m not bothering you, am I?” Rae twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

  “Oh Rae, uh no sorry. I was just going over a bunch of paperwork. I didn’t recognize your number. What are you up to?” Del lay back against her pillows, allowing the selfish part of her to tell the working part of her to take a hike for a bit. She’d been secretly hoping to get a chance to talk to Rae, despite knowing it was a bad idea.

  “I forgot to give you my number, I’m sorry. Just wanted to say hi...how was your day?” The brunette closed her eyes and shook her head at how childish she sounded.

  Del chuckled. “Yeah, I realized after I got to town that I hadn’t gotten yours. I ran into Jasper, I completely forgot his leftovers you know,” she closed her eyes; picturing how Rae had looked leaning in the door, seeing her off that morning, with the shy smile on her face.

  Picking up Rori with one hand, Rae put him on the rail and walked along the length of the porch. “Listen...can I be honest with you?”

  Del sucked in a breath and sat up, moving to the window, resting her forehead on the cool glass. “Wow, conversations preceded by that never go well, but yeah sure,” she allowed a forced chuckle through, trying to save face, in case this didn’t go in her favor.

  Taking a deep breath, Rae blurted out, “Be careful with Chief Brito, he’s not a good man to get on the wrong side of.”

  “I noticed, but how did you know I’d talked with the Chief? Is that another one of your gifts, being able to read peoples thoughts or something?” Del wasn’t so sure she’d be cool with even her thoughts being read. That was entirely too exposed for her liking.

  Laughing softly, Rae sought to reassure the blonde. “Would you believe me if I said Rori told me?”

  “Your cat, who hates me by the way, keeps you up to date on the town gossip? Do I even want to ask?” Del asked, sprawling back out across the bed.

  Turning to look at her familiar, the brunette couldn’t help herself as she glared at him. “Rori doesn’t hate you. He’s very protective of me, and he will apologize to you the next time you are out here.”

  “Okay, you’re acting like the cat is human. Oh, wait, is he like a, what was the term my grandmother used? Familiar, that’s it. She mentioned something about wishing she had one, I was young so I always just assumed she wanted a pet. Don’t worry about Rori; I guess it’s my own fault for going all Miami Vice on him. Tell him I’m sorry.”

  Holding the phone away from her mouth, Rae told Rori. “Del told me to tell you that she’s sorry that she went all Miami Vice on you last night.”

  “Yes, well apology accepted, but next time she shows up here to make sure there aren’t any bad feelings, she might want to bring some salmon. Just in case, you know.” His tail twitched in amusement.

  “Rori...umm, he suggests salmon if you really want to make points. Just come on out anytime that you want...you are still coming back out aren’t you?” Rae quietly asked.

  “Uh yes, of course. It’s just...the work I’m doing, I need to be careful I don’t compromise anything. And with the way things are going, I don’t want you associated with me in case something goes wrong. I really like you Rae and I don’t want to see anything happen to you. Something’s not right in this town, something I would wager you’ve felt for a long time.”

  Staring at Rori, Rae let him hear her thoughts. “You’re right...there has been something going on in this town for a long time, but it’s not anything that you can solve on your own. Why don’t you let me help you? I know the town better than anyone else, and together we can fix what’s wrong.”

  Del was quiet for a bit; the words from her dream coming back. “You’ve said that to me before. In a dream I had before we brought out your desk, but I can’t let you get involved. I’m trained to deal with this kind of thing; I can take care of myself. I won’t let you put yourself in harm’s way.” Del was now pretty convinced Rae was innocent, but even so, Rae was a small town woman, not a trained P.I.

  “I also said that you need to trust in yourself and what you feel inside. To trust what you can see with your heart and with your gut. What is your gut telling you right this moment?” Rae was shocked to hear that they had the same dream and looked at Rori who had gone as still as a statue.

  “My gut tells me that I’m going to need as much help as I can get and that the cops will only hang me out to dry. My work-trained brain is telling me to ask you how you know what happened in my dream. Unless you had the same one. You did, didn’t you? What does that mean?” Del’s head was spinning. Things were quickly getting out of her control, and she hated when she wasn’t in control of a situation.

  Rori walked over until he was able to put his front paws on Rae’s shoulder and rubbed his head against her chin. “You two are intertwined more than I realized.”

  Rae closed her eyes and pulled some power from the lines. “We’re in this together Delaney. It is something that will take the both of us to solve. You can deny it for so long, but you will come around.” Letting go of the power, the brunette collapsed into a chair, as weak as a baby.

  Del heard the thump as Rae landed back into the chair. “Are you okay? You sound like you just fell over.”

  Wiping her hand across her face, it took Rae a few seconds to answer the blonde. “Yeah, I’m fine. You do what you have to do Del, but you will ask for my help, one way, or another. And it may not be in the way that you think.”

  “Rae, I won’t have you running off to get yourself killed. I’ll concede that maybe you are more intertwined than I thought, but you need to let her handle this. She’s said it herself, she can handle this. It’s her job.” Rori started pacing the railing. “And that’s just about enough line work for you today. You’re pushing too hard.”

  Del, not realizing Rori was already lecturing his witch, started a lecture of her own. “Rae, I’m putting my foot down. You just stay out of the way; I’ll take care of this. I really can’t have you risking yourself.”

  “Listen...the both of you...I’m an adult and I can take care of myself. I know what I’m getting myself into.”

  Sensing the growing frustrating in Rae’s voice, Del let things slide for now. “Okay, I get it. Let’s talk about something else then...tell me what you did today?”

  Shaking her head, Rae leaned her head back against the cushion. “I didn�
�t do much of anything today. A reading this afternoon for the Mayor’s wife, but that’s it.”

  Del laughed into the phone, “A reading? Somehow I can’t see you being all Miss Cleo.”

  Sitting up straight, Rae’s voice got colder. “I am nothing at all like that fake. What I do is real Delaney...I thought that you understood that.”

  “I do, I just meant, you don’t seem like you would enjoy doing readings for a bunch of people who don’t appreciate you. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I think that I should say good night...I’ll talk with you tomorrow. Sleep sweet and have fresh dreams.” Rae hung up the phone without giving the blonde a chance to respond.

  Rori looked at her for a second. “That was mature. Did you even give her a chance to explain?”

  Standing up and tossing the phone in the chair, Rae snapped. “Mind your own business Rori. Watch the house...I’m going out.”

  “Rae, pushing her away because she doesn’t understand something she’s never experienced before isn’t the way to do things.”

  Turning back to her pet, Rae stood with her fist on her hips. “She was fine this morning when I told her about her mother and grandmother. What so different about me doing a reading?”

  “I don’t think she was weirded out by the reading so much as surprised you would do things for people who treat you so badly.”

  Shaking her head, Rae took a deep breath. “That’s just the way that they are. I’m not going to lower myself to their level. If they need help, I’ll give it. That’s the way that I am.”

  “Perhaps you should have told her that.” His whiskers twitched in annoyance.