Free The Aura by Carrie Bedford Page B

white T-shirt, with bare feet. Music leaked from the open door of his apartment. I recognized the percussive piano notes of Thelonius Monk.
    “Thank you,” I said, a little breathless from hurrying up the stairs. “I haven’t heard from Rebecca since Sunday and she hasn’t been to the office for two days. I’m worried that she might be ill…”
    I stopped, gripping the banister. Nick had an aura. It was faint but there.
    “Have you seen her?” I finished, but my thoughts were on what Nick’s aura could mean. What danger could there be to two people in the same building? Poisoning, toxic air, what was the name of that gas? Carbon monoxide. Or a building collapse? I realized my hand was hurting from grasping the smooth wood rail so tightly and I let go, feeling unsteady on my feet.
    Nick cocked his head to one side. “Not since Friday actually. We chatted for a minute or two while we picked up our mail downstairs. I didn’t see her over the weekend because Gary and I were away until Sunday evening. We went to Brussels on the Eurostar, did some shopping, ate some amazing food and lots and lots of chocolate.” He shrugged. “Sorry, that’s all irrelevant, I know. So that was it. I didn’t see her this morning because Gary and I overslept. We just flew out of here in a rush to get to work.”
    “She’s not answering her phone or responding to texts,” I said, “and she didn’t answer when I rang the bell just now.”
    Nick shrugged. “Then she’s probably away. Business, pleasure…” His voice trailed away. “I don’t know what to say, Kate. It’s not unreasonable that an adult woman would be out of touch for a day or two. A little romantic liaison maybe?”
    “There are no lights on in her flat.”
    He gave me a look that made me smile in spite of the anxiety. “I said romantic. Candles, firelight? Get it?”
    “Okay, I know,” I said. “But I still don’t think it’s that. She wouldn’t miss work.”
    Or would she? I couldn’t be sure of that. This was probably a major overreaction. Still, having come this far, it would be good to know that she was all right.
    “Can I go up and knock on the door?” I asked. “If she’s there with someone, she might answer even if it’s only to say ‘go away’. Once I know she’s all right, I can stop worrying.”
    Nick nodded. “Of course. I’ll come with you.”
    Gary appeared behind him. “What’s going on?”
    “We’re just going to check on Rebecca,” Nick replied. I stared at Gary, but there was no aura. Goosebumps came up on my arms. What did Nick and Rebecca have in common that they would have auras, yet Gary didn’t?
    Gary scowled and turned away. I got the impression he didn’t like me, but couldn’t think why not. We had never actually spoken to each other.
    Nick led the way up the stairs to the next floor and then along the carpeted hallway. I hesitated before knocking on the door. As if by mutual agreement we both stood stock still, barely breathing, listening for any sound from inside. After half a minute, I looked at him and he nodded. I knocked again. This time I heard a rustling sound near the door followed by a loud and plaintive meow.
    “Caspian!” Nick exclaimed. “Rebecca wouldn’t go away and leave the cat alone. She always asks me to check on him if she plans on being out late or is away on business.”
    The cat, hearing our voices, began yowling and scratching the inside of the door.
    “Oh, poor baby,” said Nick. “He sounds hungry.”
    “And angry,” I added.
    “Wait here. I have a key. I’ll be right back.” Nick disappeared, silent on bare feet. I leaned my forehead against the door, murmuring to the cat, who now sounded desperate to get out. Impatiently, I waited for Nick to reappear, which he did after a few minutes, bounding up the stairs, holding the key aloft.
    “I’m coming, precious kitty,” he called as he put the key in the lock.
    “Be careful. Make sure he doesn’t make a dash for