Once outside, Serena grabbed Michael and begged, “Arrest him. I just know there’s got to be something he’s guilty of.” She warmed in the security of a bear hug as her brother pulled her closer.
Justine reached them and said, “You can’t do this. He’s supposed to be dead. We’ve got to go back inside before the others think they hafta follow the rest of us outside.”
Dan stormed up to them and demanded, “Where do you think you’re going?”
Jake intervened and ordered, “Everyone stop where you are. I’m about to call the police and nab the guilty party. If you’ll all return inside, we’ll get to do this in front of the other guests.”
Dan, Serena and Michael glowered at each other. In unison Serena yelled, “Arrest him,” just as Dan flashed his badge, pointed to her and angrily announced, “You’re under arrest.”
Sorting out who was arrested, for what reasons and what part, if any, the play had to do with the proceedings would take time. All returned to the dining room, muffled grumblings uttered as Jake begged them to control their arguments until the evening’s event was over. Promising a quick solution, that of naming Percy’s killer and fast removal of the other diner guests, he swiftly announced the culprit’s name…Mrs. Worthington.
Serena’s head swam with visions of their scene outside and lovemaking with Dan, interspersed with urges to smack Dan silly. All threatened her sanity and to gel into one massive headache. Her head popped up as the killer’s identity was announced and, as ludicrous as it seemed, her curiosity pulled her off-track.
She stayed focused long enough to find out that the elderly matron had dabbled into an affair with Percy, but didn’t want him around her illegitimate daughter, the lovely Rosalia. Jealous over his attention to the younger woman and finding out about the pregnancy, she stabbed him in a lover’s quarrel. End of story.
The guests applauded and began filtering out, leaving Dan, Michael and Serena standing by the door, carefully watched by Justine, Jake and Mrs. Worthington.
Dan spoke first. “You need to come down to the station with me, Miss Xavier.” He turned to give Michael a snide glance. “You too, whatever your real name is. We know it’s not Gino.”
“It’s Michael and,” he ripped out his badge and presented it to everyone, “I’m a police officer in Wichita. I’m investigating you.”
“What? You’re the brother?” Dan asked in confusion.
Michael got right up to his face and challenged, “And, what were you doing, going to my future in-laws’ home and questioning them? For what? What asinine charges are you throwing at all of us?”
Serena’s head spun. Dan had talked to Annemarie’s parents? “Michael, how do you know he spoke to them?”
Michael snapped his head from Dan to Serena. “Because, they recognized him. They saw him here and asked if we knew they’d met Detective Carrington.” He returned to stare at Dan.
The men bounced glacial looks back and forth between them, then turned to the others witnessing the scene. Serena wished for a nice quiet hole to drop into. What had happened to her serene, uncomplicated life? Dan walked in and nothing stayed sane after that.
Tension surrounding them charged the air and Serena suggested, “Why don’t we go to your office, Dan? The one where you really work? I’m sure we can sort this out there. Or, are you going to arrest me now, put handcuffs on me and drag me off to jail for God only knows whatever reason you dreamed up in that police detective head of yours?” Her voice rose a notch with every word she uttered.
Michael put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “He won’t do that. We’ll follow you and sort this out. I’ve got plenty of questions of my own to ask.”
A suddenly quiet Dan nodded his agreement. “Follow me.” He turned to the bewildered threesome watching the discussion. “Thanks for an interesting evening.”
They walked to their cars and Justine yelled after them, “Dan? Have Serena give you my number and call me. I’ve never had so much fun on a date before!”
* * * * *
“Gino Conti gave us information about your operation.”
Dan and Steve sat in an interrogation room with Serena and Michael. As a professional courtesy, they presented the statement Gino made for Michael to read.
Stomach now queasy, Serena fought for control. “He’s no longer one of my clients. I had too many complaints about him and canceled his application.”
Michael intervened. “Sis, he said here that you wanted him to go out with women and ask for money. Then you’d split the profits with Gino.”
“What?” Serena jumped up and glared at Dan. “You believed this nonsense from that idiot?”
“We heard from one of his unhappy dates and had to investigate. You presented,” Dan nodded toward Michael, “him as ‘Gino’, Mr. ‘Eight’ and we knew that wasn’t true.”
Serena bit out, “I had to call Michael something. I didn’t want you to know I didn’t trust you and called in my big policeman brother to investigate.”
Dan jumped up, leaning across the table to within inches of her face. “Me? Why would you investigate me?”
“You snuck peeks at my files. You seemed too good to be true. You came across as too much of a polished playboy pretending to be a nerd who wanted me to set him up with someone.”
Dan ran a hand through his hair and turned away. The other two men frowned and Serena’s energy drained away as she witnessed the entire bizarre scene. All she wanted to do was go home and forget Dan Reese—no, Carrington—if possible.
Steve interrupted her train of thought. “I think we’ll have you both write up statements and get the names of your clients who’ve had unpleasant episodes with Mr. ‘Eight’. Mistakes have been made based on misjudgments and we need to concentrate on the man behind all this—Mr. Conti.”
Dan stayed with his back toward them, staring out the window. Michael asked if they could leave after writing their statements and Steve agreed. Serena looked up from her paper to watch as Dan trudged out the door.
* * * * *
“Serena, go to work. You’ll feel better.”
Serena wiped her eyes after yet another episode of crying. Michael had tried his best to cheer her up, even offered to take her with him on his dates with Annemarie, but to no avail.
She wanted the solitude, welcomed the time to reflect on her daring to open up her body and soul to another man, only to have her heart dashed aside and broken in pieces. Alan hadn’t been trustworthy and neither had Dan.
Checking her calendar she realized it was April eighteenth and Dan’s number magically appeared in her head. How ironic. His number epitomized the day she’d start anew, locking away forever the remaining pieces of her unfixable heart.
No man would ever get this close again. She’d live out the rest of her life concentrating on work, her brother and his soon-to-be wife and any children they’d have. She’d have none of her own.
Maybe Michael was right. She’d done well in her business before Dan. She’d do well after him. With a fierce determination and fresh, though somewhat potentially solemn outlook for her future, Serena figured it was time to get back to work.
* * * * *
Dan was going crazy. His gut kept telling him she was innocent, but he had to go along with what the facts suggested and that screwed everything up. She’d never forgive him. When she’d walked out of his department, she’d looked straight ahead, her eyes never straying in his direction.
And, what would he have said? Uh, gee. Sorry? I love you?
He did. Love her. Madly. Passionately. With more conviction and commitment than he’d had with his ex-wife. Serena was the one his heart had waited for all these years.
Dan reread her statement and the one Michael had penned. Noting Michael’s cell phone number, he decided it was time to speak to him, man to man. Either Michael would punch him out or listen to the heartfelt yearnings of a lovesick fellow male. While he preferred the second scenario, if the first happened he’d accept it, if Mic
hael would then calm down and talk.
To his surprise, Michael agreed to meet him at his office. Dan asked to use Steve’s office for more privacy. After they were seated, Dan began with, “I’m sorry about what happened. You don’t know just how sorry I am.”
Michael grinned and Dan wondered if he were about to reach across the desk and take that punch. To his amazement, Michael offered in a nonchalant tone, “She loves you, you know. I’m guessing you love her, too.”
Dan stood up and paced the room. “Damn right I do. Are you sure she loves me? After all this? I didn’t think she’d talk to me.”
Michael laughed. “Oh, she thinks she hates you now, but deep down inside, she loves you. I know my sister. You’re the one for her.”
Dan stopped his march across the carpet and asked, “How do I get her to speak to me? I’ve got to be the last person alive she wants to find walking into her office.”
“Go back as a client. Be truthful on her application form. Get her to know the real you, the one she hoped to find all along.”
“Would you put in a good word for me with her?”
Michael snickered. “Wow. That’s a tough one. I might be able to get her to see your side of the picture, but I’m still big brother, trying to protect my little sister.”
Dan gave him what he hoped was a sincere look. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Hell. I love her and want to marry her.”
“Tall order, but I’ll do what I can. It’d be nice to have another man in the family, especially another cop, to keep her in line.” Michael let out a deep exhale.
“I appreciate anything you can do. I’ll plan to do battle with her this afternoon.”
* * * * *
Serena fielded inquiries from her messages on her answering machine. She laughed to the point of crying at a message from Justine asking for Serena to give Dan her number.
Pigs would fly first. Hell would freeze over. She’d sleep with him before passing any date information on to Dan.
She grabbed his file, rereading the lies he’d written. Using a bright pink marker, she drew a line through everything she now suspected to be untrue.
Not an insurance salesman received two bold pink marks. She couldn’t help wondering how long he’d been a policeman. His preferences in almost everything now came into question.
And, what about his number, four-eighteen? Why that number? Look at all the mess it had caused.
Four-eighteen. Today was four-eighteen, the day of a new beginning for her.
Her dates numbered one, four, eight, could be construed as a play on four-eighteen. Those dates weren’t real and led nowhere. Dan, four-eighteen, had been real, amazingly real, in their time together, especially in giving her pleasure. His number, good for her. Another coincidence?
Distracted, she shivered with doubts about her ability to get a true picture of Dan’s character. Had he disclosed a flaw in her “sight”, one that would further hamper her continuing her business?
Damn. Something else popped into her head. Miss “DC”, the name she’d given herself to try for a match with her male clients. DC. Dan Carrington, his real name. The man was everywhere, crowding her psyche, seeping into her brain and toying with her emotions.
Serena rubbed her temples, hoping for a reprieve. None followed, so she took some headache painkillers and reclined on the sofa. The one she’d been on while enjoying Dan’s body what seemed like ages ago.
Damn him.
Michael barged in, putting a halt to her attempt for headache relief. She glared at him and ordered, “Go away. I need to rest.”
“My, you’re real pleasant. We need to talk.”
Serena threw her arm over her head. “Can’t this wait until I’m awake?”
Michael removed her arm and answered, “Nope. This is important.”
In a testy voice, she asked, “What is it?”
“I’m glad you decided to join the living again and go to work. Now you need to go on with your love life.”
Serena eyeballed him with what she hoped conveyed a look to kill. “There’s no such animal. Leave me alone and go marry Annemarie or something.”
“No. It’s me, remember? Think I don’t know what you’re going through? You’re in love.”
Serena knew Michael would know how she felt. He’d guessed about her feelings for Dan right from the beginning. “It’s no use. Even if I do love him, he only viewed me as a suspect. How can I trust him?”
Michael squatted down to be eye level with her. “Sweetie, that goes both ways. You’re the one telling him about diamond mines.”
She groaned. “It’s too late for us. Please, go away. I need to sleep.”
Michael kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going. And remember…it’s never too late.”
* * * * *
“Can I come in?”
“Serena awoke at the sound of Dan’s voice. She had a sense of déjà vu, seeing him framed by her doorway. A warm, comfortable sensation coursed through her body. The man she loved stood before her.
“Dan. I hadn’t expected to see you again.” Quietly spoken, Serena got up, walked over to her desk, and sat down.
He came in and took the seat opposite her. “I’ve heard about your business and I need help finding a woman right for me. I’d like to fill out one of your applications.”
Serena’s heart pounded in her chest. What was he up to? Was this a peace offering of some type? “Oh. Yes. I mean, okay. Are you sure you want me to do this for you?”
His eyes glazed over. “You and no one else.”
He took the form and wrote his information. Serena scanned it and noticed his changes. A police officer. Wanted someone quiet, content with staying home and cuddling. Someone to love.
“I need to touch you,” she offered.
Dan leaned back in his seat. “Anywhere in particular?” He crossed his arms, grinning at her the entire time.
“Dan, we’ve been through this before. What are you up to?” She lowered her head. “Please, no more lies.”
He got up, walked over to her and gently lifted her head. “I want you to touch me everywhere, Serena. I want you. I always have. I love you.”
“Dan, I love you, too.” She paused for a second then continued, “Do you realize how my sight was right about us?”
“Why don’t you tell me.” Dan smiled as he helped her up and took her into his arms.
“Your face, letters and even numbers, swam in my head. I called myself Miss ‘DC’ when looking for a date. Your initials. But, the letters for you are the final proof.”
A quizzical look appeared on his face. “Tell me quickly before I kiss you senseless and never let go. And, you will marry me, right?”
Serena giggled. “Without a doubt. I’m not letting you get away. Anyway, your letters, S. E. X.? They’re my initials. Serena Elaine Xavier. So you see, Mr. Carrington, my ‘sight’ was right. We’re meant to be together.”
“And, who’s Mr. ‘A’?”
She raised her head closer to his. “I’ll tell you all about that jerk later. Right now, I predict kissing comes next.”
Dan smiled, nodded and then lowered his lips to hers.
About the Author
Always intrigued by romance, Marianne started reading Regency novels (Barbara Cartland) then went on to contemporary romances. When her four children became teenagers, Marianne began writing as a sanity outlet. It was the only time she could do something alone, even if it meant writing at midnight.
As a teacher, being creative kept her one step ahead of her pupils. Writing gave Marianne an additional outlet for her imagination. A lover of old movies and love songs, many inspire her writing and lead to story ideas.
Marianne lives in Kansas with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, Chick Lit Writers of the World, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal, Mid America Romance Authors, and Midwest Romance Writers. She had a nonfiction e-book based on the life of a women’s shelter speak
er published in 1999.
Marianne welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Table of Contents
Start
An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication www.ellorascave.com Second Sight Dating ISBN 9781419909245 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Second Sight Dating Marianne Stephens
Acknowledgement Loving thanks to Steve (my computer wizard husband)
Chapter One “I want him
Chapter Two Serena scrutinized the woman about to leave her office
Chapter Three “So
Chapter Four “Can I come in
Chapter Five Serena played her office answering machine as soon as she arrived for work the next day
Chapter Six Serena eyed her brother with a mixture of gratitude
Chapter Seven “Mr
Chapter Eight Dan’s insides roiled with disappointment
Chapter Nine “Mike
Chapter Ten “Is it warm in here or is it me
Chapter Eleven Every touch
Chapter Twelve “Have a good time
Chapter Thirteen “Don’t you just love this
Chapter Fourteen Serena kicked off her shoes as soon as she entered her apartment
Chapter Fifteen The next morning Serena’s head still buzzed with the relentless sound of barking dogs
SecondSightDating Page 16