I made a cooing noise and reached across the table, placing my hand on top of Detective O’Connor’s. He didn’t seem to know what to do but let me hold onto them for a moment. “I hope your dinner tonight goes well. My friend’s parents split up when we were young, so I remember how difficult it had been for him.”
Detective O’Connor’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open. As quickly as it happened, his face shut down, and he jerked his hand from mine, glaring up at Mandy. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell other people my business, Detective Stevenson.”
“I didn’t.” Mandy’s voice went up an octave, and I felt bad.
“Detective O’Connor, Detective Stevenson didn’t tell me anything. We hardly speak about work. I didn’t even know she had a partner until she mentioned it this morning.” I shot her a look, telling her I hadn’t forgotten her slip-up. Either I was her best friend or not. Who else was she telling her secrets to? I’d kill them.
Detective O’Connor cleared his throat and tapped his pen on the table. “Fine. Good guess then, but I still don’t believe in psychics.”
I gave him a pitying look but didn’t prod him further. “Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Stop being a spoilsport. We need this woman, so show some respect.” The captain clapped Detective O’Connor on the back. At least, someone was on my side.
He flinched at the contact and opened a vanilla folder in front of him. “I have some questions regarding your background, Miss Mehr.”
“Sure,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Ask away.”
I waited for Detective O’Connor to start his interrogation because there was no way this was anything but that. Gabriel hung out at my side, leaning against the side of the table. His presence was a comfort and a hindrance. If they needed more proof of my abilities, he’d be right there to help me out, but he also made my skin prickle with goosebumps just from his nearness. I tried to stay still so I wouldn’t show my discomfort. Cops were very perceptive with those kinds of things.
“Says here that you were arrested for breaking and entering and destruction of public property. Want to explain that?” Detective O’Connor seemed a bit too excited to see I had a rap sheet.
I shrugged, not letting it bother me. “I was sixteen and rebelling, don’t we all?”
Detective O’Connor didn’t seem to buy it but continued, “You also graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in ...” He chuckled and met my eyes. “Religious Studies?”
I shrugged. I seemed to be doing a lot of that. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
I’d really picked the degree of study to help figure out more about my own abilities. Sadly, the school couldn’t tell me anything but the history and theology of all the world religions. I knew more about Buddha and Allah than I did about my own family. The only thing it turned out to be was a waste of my father’s money.
“And did you do anything with this degree?” Detective O’Connor asked, grinning like the bird who ate the cat. Or was it the other way around?
“I work at a bar,” I sneered. “What do you think?”
“I think we’re done here. Captain.” Detective O’Connor stood and looked to his superior. “With all due respect, I don’t need some delusional crazy woman without a lick of sense messing up my case.”
“Now, wait a second,” Captain Welling tried to argue, but I jumped in.
“You might want to check your little report again.” I gestured to the envelope with a nod. “Along with my Bachelor’s in Religious Studies, I also have a Masters in Public Relations and Business. I’m not just some quack looking for a quick buck.” I shoved my chair back and leaned across the table, my anger getting the best of me. “You came to me, not the other way around. I’d be happy just to go back to bartending. At least, the jerkwads there are drunk. What’s your excuse?”
Mandy gasped and grabbed my arm, but I jerked out of her grasp. I nodded at Captain Welling. “I apologize, Captain, but I won’t help someone who can’t respect me or my abilities.” The captain gave me a grim look as I marched toward the door. I opened it and saw the guy with the teardrop being escorted to the back. Turning back to them, I added, “That guy there is guilty, and if you let him go he’s going to kill his ex’s new boyfriend. Just thought you should know.”
I left their gaping faces in the interview room and stomped through the precinct. Gabriel strolled by my side, not touching me but just being there. I wasn’t sure if he was afraid I’d do something stupid or just didn’t have anything better to do.
When we finally exited the precinct, I got tired of feeling his eyes on my back. “Well, that went well, huh?” I said, spinning around to look at him.
Without asking, Gabriel wrapped his arms around me. The warm sensation that came from touching them encompassed me, and I could almost feel the pressure of his arms. Or maybe I was only hoping I did. I inhaled his scent, a mixture of sea salt and sunlight. How one could smell like sunlight, I wasn’t sure, but it was the only way I could describe it. I let him hold me for a moment, not caring what I looked like to the passing public. I needed comfort and Gabriel was giving it to me.
After a few moments, Gabriel pulled back and looked down at me. “Better?”
I nodded. “Yeah, thank you.” I ran a hand through my hair and headed toward my car. Probably shouldn’t have this conversation out in the open. When we were safely in my car, I pounded on my steering wheel. “Guys like that piss me off. Like I can’t be smart and have special powers. I can only be crazy.”
Gabriel nodded in understanding. “I get it, I do.” He placed his hand on top of mine, hovering just above so it didn’t go through and stared into my eyes. His green eyes held flecks of gold in them that glinted in the sunlight. I could get lost in eyes like that. “You are smart, beautiful, and funny to boot. A volatile combination for any male, human or angel.”
Flushing at his praise, I withdrew my hand from his. I wasn’t sure what to say. Compliments weren’t really something I got often, so when I did, my brain didn’t know how to react. Luckily, my eyes caught the time and saved me from responding.
“Crap, I’m going to be late for work.” I raced out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell. Did they have bats in hell? I’d have to ask Lucifer later.
7
Fridays were the worst. For the normal Monday through Friday workers, this was the start of the weekend, and that meant the bar would be up to its eyeballs with the weekenders.
When I raced through the front door, I was still adjusting my dark locks into a high ponytail. The front door banged behind me, earning me a curious look from Bret.
“I know, I’m late!” I cried, running past him. I’d had enough time to get home and throw on my work clothes before I had to book it out the door. I was lucky I’d remembered my boots, or I’d be leaning over the bar all night, something my back would hate me for by closing.
Rounding the bar, I clocked in at the register just in time for my boss, Bill, to come around the corner. “You’re late.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” I held my hands up in defense.
Bill wasn’t the worst boss in the world, but I also wasn’t the best employee so I couldn’t give him too much grief about it. At least, he didn’t try to grab my ass or make me ‘come talk about my future.’ Thankfully, he was as plain as they came with his business-cut brown hair and IT-guy-shaped glasses. Why he wanted to own a bar was beyond me. He didn’t seem the type.
“Why are you late this time?” Bill asked, setting up the rest of the counter’s condiments, something I was supposed to do.
“Had to go to the police station.” I tried to say it nonchalantly, hoping it didn’t sound as bad as it did.
“Police station? For what?” Bill raised a brow at me and leaned against the side of the bar, his slight muffin top hanging over his belt.
Surprised he didn’t freak out more, I decided to tell him the truth. “They wanted me to help with a case. My being psychic and all.”