Free Corruption (Grumpy Old Wizards Book 2) by John O'Riley Page A

would have done this by now so how can it still be a secret,” Josephine said.
    “If the Valituras have members working for different law enforcement groups and government agencies, they would be able to cover it up at the local level. They’re ancient so they probably have an arsenal of magical weapons and memory suppression enchantments.”
    “The only way they could cover it up would be if they have someone at the police station who is keeping tabs on what’s going on,” Josephine said. “Luckily I work there full-time so I’ll just read everyone and found out who it is.”
    Josephine was starting to feel a little better knowing she had some options now. Of course, it wasn’t just a simple matter of reading everyone like a book. Some people kept a privacy shield in place like Lorcan which allowed only pieces of their thoughts and emotions to leak out. This would make it an arduous process but Josephine was confident she could tackle it. Josephine worked on creating an additional ward for Alice’s condo while she waited for Mark to arrive. She had some time to burn and wanted to make it as difficult as possible for the Valituras to attack her or her friends.
    Josephine could feel Mark’s presence when he arrived. Her psychic senses flared and a thrilling exchange of energy passed between the two of them as they strolled toward his vehicle. Mark took her out for dinner at a quaint French restaurant and then to the movie theatre to watch a romantic comedy. In spite of the energy flowing between the two of them, Josephine discovered she could pick up hardly any impressions from Mark. He exuded very little in the way of psychometric energy which puzzled her. She was disappointed when they arrived in the parking lot to her condo even though it was almost midnight.
    “I had a great time.” Josephine leveled a warm smile at Mark as she sat beside him in his black SUV.
    “Me, too.”
    “It’s strange. This car has a new smell and yet based on the style, it has to be at least eleven years old.”
    “It’s my favorite vehicle I’ve ever owned.” Mark’s eyes sparked with desire.
    He leaned closer to Josephine to kiss her but her curiosity was aroused. Something didn’t quite make sense.
    “I can see how you could have just repainted the car but the inside is in mint condition. It’s pristine. There’s no way to restore it like this.” Josephine leaned back a little and regarded him with puzzlement.
    “It’s nothing. I have a knack for making restoration enchantments. I bought this SUV used and it was all roughed up and falling apart. But I used magic to make it new again,” Mark said.
    “That’s remarkable! Restoration spells are very difficult – especially for someone your age. You could actually make a living doing that.”
    “That’s how I make my living but I would also like to work in law enforcement.”
    “I had assumed you got a college loan.”
    “Nope. I make plenty of money to pay all the bills.”
    “It feels like I hardly know you,” Josephine said.
    “We’ve only known each other for about a week.”
    “Yes but I normally pick up things about people because of my psychometry. I sense hardly a peep out of you.”
    “That’s fascinating.”
    Mark leaned forward and his lips locked with Josephine’s. For a moment, she lost herself in the pleasurable sensations. She wanted to get closer to Mark. Josephine couldn’t stop thinking about the mystery that Mark represented though. She pushed him back and he didn’t offer any resistance but his expression was disappointed. Mark’s brown eyes flashed with desire and his lips curved in a confused smile.
    “Did anyone tell you that you’re a tease?” he asked.
    “I just can’t help thinking how unusual you are.”
    “I hope you mean that in a good way.”
    “Yes but I’m just confused by the lack of psychometric energy,” Josephine said.
    “I sense plenty of energy between us,” Mark replied.
    “Do you have a privacy