Free Minding Amy by Saskia Walker

took up his seat opposite her. "Go on, you were saying."
    "Someone at the TV studio reported it. They're on a six-week summer break from filming but apparently Quentin is always about, getting ready for the new season. He lives locally and checks in on a daily basis, even during the breaks, so when he skipped a few days a couple of weeks back, the security staff soon noticed."
    "Are the police involved?"
    "They've registered the fact he's a missing person, but they said it's too soon to do anything about it, especially as there is no evidence of foul play, well…not at this stage."
    Sebastian nodded, thoughtfully. She noticed he stroked the line of the scar on his cheek as he did.
    "How did you get the scar?"
    "Um, skiing accident."
    "Hey, you are actually blushing." Amy realized too late that he was quite uncomfortable about her question. Perhaps she shouldn't have asked about the scar. It might be a sensitive issue for him, no matter how attractive she thought it was.
    "If I'm blushing it's because I'm not used to having breakfast with beautiful sexy women with next to no clothes on." He nodded at her panties and tank top accusingly.
    "And I'm not used having breakfast with gorgeous sexy men stripped to the waist, so we're even." She poked her tongue out at him and he laughed. "Do you live alone?" she added.
    "Just me and the cat, although the cat rules the house." Humor was never far from his expression. "You?" It was tentatively asked.
    Of course, he'd declared he was single before they left London. For all he knew she might be having a fling with him on the side of a long-term relationship. "I've got a single studio flat over in Camden Town."
    A comfortable silence fell over them for a moment as they absorbed the exchange of information.
    "You said you're going to have a mosey around the town, ask a few questions?" He really was trying to help her stay on course.
    She smiled. "Yes, I figured I could ask about the house and the legend at the local library, see if I can find out about the coven." She nodded her head down the passage toward the sitting room. "The house is a spoof but the Witches of Eastwick in there gave me the creeps, and maybe that side of it is based on a true story. Perhaps Quentin became interested in finding out about the coven and that's where he got sucked in."
    "Have you got any strong feelings about the nature of his disappearance?" He swirled his coffee cup, before draining it.
    "You mean, what do I make of it all?"
    "Yeah, like have you got any gut instincts?"
    "Well, I don't think it’s a murder case. Maybe he's gone walkabout, you know, on some sort of a personal quest. If it was anything more sinister, the police would know by now." She gave a speculative pout. There was a chance she might be reaching into Pandora's Box itself. However, if she was to be a serious investigative journalist, she had to acknowledge the possibility. "But, so far," she continued. "I can't figure out what the quest is or why he's gone off without telling anyone. That's the interesting part."
    "What if he turns up?"
    "Ah, I've got that one covered. I've requested the security guard at the studios let me know, gave him a cash incentive. He's got my phone number. And then, if he was willing, I'd try to get a meeting with the man himself."
    Sebastian nodded, again looking thoughtful. "Your dad said your interview skills are superb."
    "You really did have an in-depth discussion about me, didn't you?"
    "Background information, I wanted to know why you needed protection." His mouth quirked to one side.
    He obviously thought this was a hoot. "As I have persistently pointed out, I don't need a minder."
    "Not even when you got spooked and ran into my arms in the hallway last night?"
    She resisted the urge to call him a rude name. "You really have no shame."
    "That's the kind of guy I am." He held up his hands. "So why do you want to do this investigative stuff, if it's people you are good with?"
    "What do you mean?" She was