Free Lightbringer by Frankie Robertson Page B

detective, but Jared had saved her life. She wanted—needed—him with her. Her eyes sought Jared’s. “Please stay.” She didn’t care if that sounded pathetic.
    Jared nodded, but the detective shook his head and said, “I’m sorry. It’s procedure to question you separately.”
    Jared stood. “Are you sure you can’t bend the rules just this once?”
    “I’m afraid not.”
    “Very well.” Jared held out his hand. “Detective.”
    Morgan shook his hand, then frowned. There was a moment of hesitation before he released Jared’s clasp. “All right. You can stay. Don’t interrupt.”
    Jared returned to his seat. The muscle in his jaw was tight, as if he was unhappy despite getting what they both wanted.
    The detective turned his attention to Cassie and sat down opposite her. “I understand you had a break-in at your place last night?”
    It wasn’t a question Cassie expected. It seemed so disconnected from what had just happened. “Yes. Someone put cameras and microphones in my home.” She almost didn’t recognize the flat voice as her own.
    The detective’s brows drew down as he glanced at his notepad. “There’s no report of that.”
    Cassie raised her gaze from the foamy brown liquid in her cup to look directly at him. “I didn’t find them until after Officer Varnes left. I was going to call the police this morning.”
    “You stayed here, in the hotel, last night.” It was a statement, not a question.
    “Yes.”
    “With Mr. Price?”
    “No!” Maybe if I had gone home with him, none of this would have happened . Cassie’s gaze flicked to Jared. His eyes were cold as he watched Detective Morgan. The muscle in his jaw jumped. “I stayed with my friend Linda.”
    “In a room you paid for.” Morgan’s intent dark eyes bored into her.
    “Yes. She’s allergic to Edgar, my cat, so she had to stay here.”
    The detective’s brows furrowed. “Why was that? She and her husband own a house on,” he peered again at his notes, “East Baker.”
    “What has that got to do with the attempt on Ms. Lewis’ life?” Jared asked.
    Cassie smiled at him. His protectiveness gave her a small warm glow in the midst of the cold reality of attempted murder. He’d pulled her to safety, brought her hot chocolate, and stayed by her side. A perfect man . She had no idea why he was taking such an interest in her, but she was grateful he was.
    “I won’t know until I get all the pieces,” Morgan answered. “And if you continue to interfere, you’ll have to leave.” He turned back to Cassie. “Ms. Lewis? Why did you and your friend stay here last night?”
    “The police didn’t believe me when I said someone had broken in last night. I was frightened and tired. I wanted to get some rest away from the cameras before I had another go-round with TPD.”
    Morgan tapped the notepad with his pen. “But why was Mrs. Fallon staying here, and on your dime?”
    Cassie looked away for a moment, reluctant to incite even more derision from the detective. Then she stiffened her spine. She hadn’t been so reticent in college. Back then,
    The Cass wouldn’t have let any man intimidate her. She stared straight back into Detective Morgan’s eyes, daring him to doubt her. “I’m sure Officer Varnes’ report mentions I’m a psychic. I had a vision last night of Linda lying dead on her kitchen floor. I was afraid for her to go home.”
    Morgan’s brows rose. “Interesting. Did you have a vision of your car blowing up, too?”
    Cassie closed her eyes. I wish. Jared had nearly died. They both had. If she could see her own future, if she could have seen his, then maybe—
    “Ms. Lewis?”
    Cassie swallowed the sick feeling rising in her throat. “No, Detective Morgan. I didn’t see it coming. I’ve never been able to see my own future.” But she could see he thought she was a charlatan. He wouldn’t ask such a question otherwise. “Do you think I would have risked Jared’s life, or my own, if I