open. “You don’t possibly believe the rumors—”
“That he had something to do with the robbery? Of course not. That’s the Baal talking. David is following the link. I’m certain.”
“You have no clue where The Book is?”
“No. When David received the responsibility for protection when he came of age, the link transferred to him. Hey, cheer up. I still sense the connection wasn’t completely severed with the family. Something else bothers you, though. What’s wrong?”
“They sent Billy.”
“We knew they’d put a hellhound on the trail, but Billy’s assignment is good news. They’re friends. He won’t be out for blood.”
“Which won’t prevent him from dragging David back. It’s only a matter of time before Billy tracks him down. If David doesn’t have The Book with him, you’re both screwed.” Grace pressed close against the bars. “I won’t stand by and do nothing. Something else is going on. I’ll find out what.”
Brian eyed her tenderly. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to keep out of Integral business.”
“Hah. Like you ever could.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall as Carlos and Sadhri approached. “I’m sorry,” the medusa called out with regret. “Time’s up.”
Without warning, Brian pressed his face to the bars and kissed Grace lovingly on the lips.
Grace pulled back. “You shouldn’t have.”
Brian winked at Carlos. “A kiss from a beautiful woman is worth any price.”
****
Marissa suggested one of the Sneaky Shoppers was the writer. “After all, they’re supposed to be sneaky. I still can’t figure out which customers they are.”
“Me, neither. Although, lurking behind clothes racks is a bit much for even sub-human bottom feeders like them.” She ran a hand through her hair. “My imagination is playing tricks. Behind the rack is a wall. There’s no place to hide.”
“Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” Marissa offered kindly. “The stress of always looking over your shoulder for the next Sneaky Shopper is exhausting. I’ll cover for you.”
“No. I’m fine.” The pom-pom on the elf hat jangled annoyingly as she shook her head. “You’re the one who needs rest. Stephanie doesn’t call me twenty times a day to handle another crisis she caused herself. Thank God tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’ll have twenty-four blessed hours of peace.”
“Are you still coming to Ross’s for dinner? Alex wants to see you.”
“Absolutely. Miss Lu will bring pie.”
Marissa’s cell rang. She glanced at the display and wrinkled her nose. “The she-devil summons and I must obey. Later.”
Rosalie’s concentration wavered all day. What she didn’t mention to her friend was while wrestling with the clothing r Che ="juack for an instant she had the impression of piercing green eyes that stared in surprise from the shadows.She tried to talk herself out of the crazy idea. Solid wall with no door…the lighting is terrible…the mind plays tricks. Yet, the eerie sensation of being watched rattled her enough to constantly check the dark corner.
“Ahem.” A middle-aged woman wearing red-framed eyeglasses rapped her knuckles on the counter. “A little service, please. I’ve waited several minutes already.” Red-faced, Rosalie stammered an apology, grateful Stephanie didn’t see she ignored a customer.
By morning break time, Rosalie couldn’t stand still any longer. She ditched the elf hat under the counter and ambled around the store, trying to appear nonchalant. All the while she peered into the face of every shopper in search of a pair of piercing green eyes. By the time Rosalie reached Linens on the third floor she had generated more than a few curious stares. She caught a hostile glare from a mother in the towel aisle. The woman clutched her child close to her side as Rosalie gave them the once-over.
Her expression forced Rosalie to think again about aimlessly prowling through Penrose’s. “This is ridiculous,” she
“That he had something to do with the robbery? Of course not. That’s the Baal talking. David is following the link. I’m certain.”
“You have no clue where The Book is?”
“No. When David received the responsibility for protection when he came of age, the link transferred to him. Hey, cheer up. I still sense the connection wasn’t completely severed with the family. Something else bothers you, though. What’s wrong?”
“They sent Billy.”
“We knew they’d put a hellhound on the trail, but Billy’s assignment is good news. They’re friends. He won’t be out for blood.”
“Which won’t prevent him from dragging David back. It’s only a matter of time before Billy tracks him down. If David doesn’t have The Book with him, you’re both screwed.” Grace pressed close against the bars. “I won’t stand by and do nothing. Something else is going on. I’ll find out what.”
Brian eyed her tenderly. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to keep out of Integral business.”
“Hah. Like you ever could.”
Footsteps echoed down the hall as Carlos and Sadhri approached. “I’m sorry,” the medusa called out with regret. “Time’s up.”
Without warning, Brian pressed his face to the bars and kissed Grace lovingly on the lips.
Grace pulled back. “You shouldn’t have.”
Brian winked at Carlos. “A kiss from a beautiful woman is worth any price.”
****
Marissa suggested one of the Sneaky Shoppers was the writer. “After all, they’re supposed to be sneaky. I still can’t figure out which customers they are.”
“Me, neither. Although, lurking behind clothes racks is a bit much for even sub-human bottom feeders like them.” She ran a hand through her hair. “My imagination is playing tricks. Behind the rack is a wall. There’s no place to hide.”
“Maybe you should go home and get some rest,” Marissa offered kindly. “The stress of always looking over your shoulder for the next Sneaky Shopper is exhausting. I’ll cover for you.”
“No. I’m fine.” The pom-pom on the elf hat jangled annoyingly as she shook her head. “You’re the one who needs rest. Stephanie doesn’t call me twenty times a day to handle another crisis she caused herself. Thank God tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’ll have twenty-four blessed hours of peace.”
“Are you still coming to Ross’s for dinner? Alex wants to see you.”
“Absolutely. Miss Lu will bring pie.”
Marissa’s cell rang. She glanced at the display and wrinkled her nose. “The she-devil summons and I must obey. Later.”
Rosalie’s concentration wavered all day. What she didn’t mention to her friend was while wrestling with the clothing r Che ="juack for an instant she had the impression of piercing green eyes that stared in surprise from the shadows.She tried to talk herself out of the crazy idea. Solid wall with no door…the lighting is terrible…the mind plays tricks. Yet, the eerie sensation of being watched rattled her enough to constantly check the dark corner.
“Ahem.” A middle-aged woman wearing red-framed eyeglasses rapped her knuckles on the counter. “A little service, please. I’ve waited several minutes already.” Red-faced, Rosalie stammered an apology, grateful Stephanie didn’t see she ignored a customer.
By morning break time, Rosalie couldn’t stand still any longer. She ditched the elf hat under the counter and ambled around the store, trying to appear nonchalant. All the while she peered into the face of every shopper in search of a pair of piercing green eyes. By the time Rosalie reached Linens on the third floor she had generated more than a few curious stares. She caught a hostile glare from a mother in the towel aisle. The woman clutched her child close to her side as Rosalie gave them the once-over.
Her expression forced Rosalie to think again about aimlessly prowling through Penrose’s. “This is ridiculous,” she
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