Free Take the Monkey and Run by Laura Morrigan Page B

go—
    Before I could prompt him to hop onto my arm, a series of images fluttered into my mind’s eye. For the second time in as many days I was taken completely off guard with what I saw.

CHAPTER 5

    Me. The monkey showed me an image of myself holding a small paper tray of beignets.
    Just as it had when he’d shown me Logan and Veronica, the scene lasted only a couple of seconds and, like before, the colors of the image were reversed at first then shifted back to normal. This time, most of what I was seeing was in muted duotone. The exception being the object the monkey was sitting on. It was glittering purple and looked like part of a Mardi Gras float. I saw myself step toward the float. Smiling, I held up the beignets.
    I didn’t get it. He wanted me to bring him beignets? It would be easy enough.
I’ll gladly trade you a couple of pastries for info on Veronica.
    The image winked out the instant I thought of the missing woman. It was like the monkey’s mind had gone blank. Then, suddenly I was hit with a surge of absolute, bone-numbing fear so strong I flinched away with a gasp.
    What the . . . ?
Before I could pinpoint what had caused the flood of emotion, the monkey’s gaze settled on mine and the fear faded to confusion, then something close to frustration.
    Struggling to get a grip on my own racing pulse, I pulled in a slow breath and said, “It’s going to be okay, buddy.” I focused on sending him reassurance and reiterated my desire to help.
    Not buddy
, the monkey told me.
Cornelius.
    I couldn’t help but smile.
It’s nice to meet you, Cornelius. I’m Grace. If you come with me, you won’t have to be scared—okay?
I offered my arm as a perch. Cornelius studied my outstretched hand, considering, then eased forward.
    â€œCome on.” I gently murmured words and added calm encouragement with my thoughts.
    The little monkey’s eyes darted about, reminding me so powerfully of Barry’s shifty gaze I couldn’t help but think of him and his long coat. I tried to push the thought away before my feelings for the creepy man transferred to Cornelius, but failed. The monkey started, leapt to a higher branch, and bounded up the tree. In seconds, he’d scampered out of sight and out of range of my other senses.
    â€œDang,” a voice from behind me said. “You almost had him.”
    I cursed inwardly and shook my head. Stupid rookie mistake. I could’ve kicked myself for losing focus.
    â€œYeah, that was really close,” the zookeeper added as she came to stand next to me.
    I glanced at the young woman. “Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades.”
    â€œStill, he was responding to you like he hasn’t to anyone else. How long are you going to be in town?”
    â€œI’m not sure.”
    â€œDo you mind if I call the next time we get a good lead?”
    â€œOf course not,” I said as we walked back to where the cruiser was parked. “My phone is working now so you can reach me at the number on my card.”
    â€œThanks for trying to help,” Marisa said. Her smooth brow wrinkled into a frown as she scanned the nearbytreetops. “It’s supposed to freeze tomorrow night. I really hope we can catch him before then.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    I climbed into the police cruiser and was so lost in thought as we rode along I didn’t realize Officer Green had been talking to me.
    â€œI’m sorry—what?”
    â€œI think your phone is ringing.”
    â€œOh.” I fished it out of my jacket pocket and saw I had a missed call from Emma. I quickly called her back.
    â€œHey,” my sister said. “We’re pulling into the one-way cluster suck known as the French Quarter.”
    â€œRight.” I looked out the window and tried to decipher how far away I was.
    â€œYou’re still at the police station, aren’t you?”
    â€œNot exactly,