Free Ray Hoy - Jack Frost 01 - The Vegas Factor by Ray Hoy Page A

He said you don’t even know how to lie—and now I can see that he’s right!” She paused again. “C’mon, Jack. What do you really do for a living? You don’t seem to have any visible means of support, yet you’re obviously not hurting for money.”
    “You really like to pry, you know that? Gee, you don’t look like the prying type.”
    She laughed again and hugged Ripper. It was nice to hear her laugh. I realized she was at least momentarily happy, and that was probably because she was looking forward to seeing Andy McGuire again.
    “How come you never married?” she said.
    “Married?”  
    “Jack, you answer every question with a question.”
    “I do?”
    She sighed. “Oh well, I know everything about you anyway, just by what you haven’t told me.”
    I glanced at her. She returned my gaze. For some reason I felt as if I’d just spilled my guts.
    “I’m part witch, remember? I see things that are going to happen—not always, but often enough.”
    I paused for a moment. “Well, I would think that’d come in pretty handy.”
    “It’s not always a blessing.”

    It was still raining hard when I reached the top of Spooner Summit and turned right on Route 28. The narrow two-lane road twisted and turned through the pines. Off to my left, Lake Tahoe sprawled across the landscape.  
    Ripper stretched, trampling Felicia in the process. “Big dog, very big dog,” she muttered.
    As we neared Incline Village, there was just enough light in the murky dawn to see the driveways leading up to the exclusive homes nestled in the surrounding hills. I followed her directions, and a few minutes later pulled into the circular driveway of Andy McGuire’s sprawling lakeside home.
    Felicia opened her door as soon as the car rolled to a halt, and Ripper jumped out of the car, into the rain. He stood there, waiting for Felicia. She clambered out and ran quickly to the door, Ripper on her heels.  
    I got out of the Jag just as the front door opened. I heard Andy McGuire’s “Wahoo! Howdy, little gal!” The old man wrapped his huge arms around Felicia and they hugged each other fiercely.
    Ripper stood there, looking up at the big fellow. Then, much to my astonishment, McGuire leaned down and playfully ruffled Ripper’s ears!
    Felicia squeezed Andy McGuire again and laughed aloud. He grinned at me over the top of her head, and stuck out a meaty hand as I approached. “Howdy, Jack. It’s sure nice to see you again, especially under the circumstances. Jilly called a few hours ago and explained what’cha did. Damn good work!”  
    Andy stepped aside to let us pass. Felicia stood in the foyer shivering, her hair plastered to her head.  
    “You’d better get out of that wet dress,” I said.
    “What there is of it,” Andy remarked.
    “That’s all she has, Andy; she didn’t have time to pack.”
    “Ah, hell, we’ll find something for her to wear.” He waved toward the kitchen. “Get some hot coffee, Jack. Why don’tcha pour us some, too, while I get Felicia situated.”
    An hour later, Felicia sat on the sofa with her feet tucked under her, wearing one of Andy’s giant-size bathrobes. She had to keep pushing the sleeves up, in order to hold her coffee. She tried her best to follow the conversation, but her eyes were heavy. The long hot bath had relaxed her, and the emotional strain of the past twenty-four hours had taken its toll.  
    I got to my feet and walked over to her. She looked up at me, trying to appear alert. “Why don’t you catch a few hours of sleep,” I said.
    “I’m fine, Jack,” she protested.
    “I’m sure you are,” I said. I reached down, lifted her easily, and looked at Andy.  
    He motioned down the hallway. “Second door on your right,” he said. Felicia mumbled something to Andy over my right shoulder as I carried her off toward the bedroom, her head resting against my chest.  
    “Sleep tight, honey,” Andy called out. “Don’t you worry, now, you’re safe here.”
    I