Eve Snow Psychic PI: The Case of the Secret Admirer 1 (2 page)

APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MINUTES later, Eve was dressed in some form-fitting jeans and a baggy violet sweater and was standing in her kitchen getting coffee started. Just as she pushed the button on the coffee maker, her doorbell rang.

“Coming,” she called, as she hurried toward the front part of the house.

“Hi, Chad, come on in,” she said as she stood aside to let him enter.

“I appreciate you seeing me on the spur of the moment like this,” he said as they hugged.

“Oh, it’s fine,” she said. “Hunter and I were already up. In fact, we were getting ready to have some coffee. Would you like some?”

“Actually, I would love a cup,” Chad said. “I need something to keep me fueled, and you certainly make some of the best coffee I’ve ever had.”

“Flatterer!” Eve laughed. “Come back to the kitchen with me.”

Chad sat down on one of the stools at the bar while Eve poured them both some coffee.

“So how are you and Hunter getting along?”

“You know, I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, but we’re really good. Honestly, Chad, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. We’re getting married in May.”

“Seriously?” Chad looked a little stunned. “That’s great, Evie! So I guess love really is better the second time around.”

“Yeah, I’d have to agree with that sentiment.”

“Where is Hunter anyway?”

“Oh, he’ll be down in a minute. He’s still getting dressed.”

“Let’s wait for him and that way I can tell you both at once what’s going on.”

“That works,” Eve said, as she sipped her coffee. “I still can’t believe that someone would want to hurt Sara.”

“Well, as I said on the phone, we’re still not clear on what exactly happened,” Chad said. “But she looks pretty bad.”

Just as he said this, Hunter entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Chad,” he said, as he walked over to get his own cup of coffee.

“Hunter! It’s good to see you, man,” Chad said enthusiastically as he rose to shake hands with him.

Hunter sat by Eve at the bar and picked up her hand.

“This is so sad about Sara,” he said. “I can’t believe she’s dead. I mean, we had lost touch over the last couple of years, but she was always a sweetheart. Why would anyone want to hurt her?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Chad said. “Her sister found her. She was pretty upset, as you can imagine.”

“What do you know so far, Chad?” Eve asked.

“From what we can tell, Sara got home from work at her usual time, around 5:30 yesterday evening. A neighbor said she saw her pull into the driveway about then. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. Her sister, Melanie, got there about an hour later to pick Sara up for dinner. Since no one came to the door, Melanie used her key to unlock the door. She found Sara on the kitchen floor. Sara was already dead but she called 911 anyway.”

“Damn,” Hunter said. “Was she shot, stabbed?”

“Neither one of those,” Chad said. “As far as we can tell, the only real injury she seems to have is a very severe, ugly bite mark on her wrist. Not like a bite made from human teeth, though. It was more like an insect bite. There were two deep puncture marks and then some serious swelling, bleeding and bruising at the site. We’ll know more once the ME has finished with the autopsy. She’s doing that first thing this morning. We need to know as soon as possible what the cause of death is.”

“Of course you do,” Eve said sympathetically. “I can’t imagine what her family is going through.”

“Yeah, they’re taking it pretty hard,” Chad said. “That brings me to why I’m here. I want to find answers for Sara’s family and I know how good you are at unearthing things no matter how deeply they’re buried.”

“Well, most of the time my success rate is pretty good. All I can do is try,” Eve said.

“I was so hoping you’d say that,” Chad replied with relief. “What do you need to look into this?”

“The fastest way is to spend time at the scene. Would that be possible?”

“Sure, I think I can get you in there without drawing too much attention. They’re clearing things out now so everyone should be gone by this afternoon. Will that be okay?”

“Yes, of course,” Eve said. “Hunter and I have to go to the office this morning for a little while. We’re going to be interviewing for a receptionist. But I don’t think we have any interviews scheduled after around 1.”

“That will work,” Chad said. “I’ll meet you at your office by 2. We can go over from there.”

“Okay, sure,” Eve said. “Would you like some more coffee?”

“I would, but I’ve really got to take off. I’ve got a ton of paperwork to get done and then I’m going to be interviewing possible witnesses. I’m also hoping that the ME will have some preliminary findings for me by later today.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a heavy day cut out for you,” Hunter commented, as he and Eve walked Chad to the door.

“Yeah, and I’ve got a feeling that this case is going to get more complicated before it’s solved. Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you later this afternoon.”

“We’ll be waiting,” Eve said.

AS HUNTER AND Eve walked back to the kitchen, they weren’t sure what to think about everything that Chad had just told them. Hunter knew that Eve was accustomed to using her ability to help solve cases that seemed impossible to figure out. But he worried about her getting involved in these dangerous ones. He had only just found her again and was terrified of losing her. His problem was that she was used to doing things on her own and she was already pretty resentful of what she termed as his “over protectiveness.”

He didn’t want to upset her but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. All he wanted was to keep her safe. But, according to the world that Eve Snow resided in, she was perfectly capable of looking after herself and didn’t need a knight riding in on a white steed to rescue her. Even if that knight happened to be in the form of Hunter Vale. He wanted to stop pissing her off, but he was the kind of man that couldn’t stand by when someone he loved was in danger.

Hunter knew that Eve was capable. She was trained in all sorts of self-defense techniques and certainly had shown just how well-prepared she was when it came to various situations. But she was so damned independent. Why couldn’t she see that he was only trying to work with her so that they could both stay safe? This was something that they really did need to work on.

Eve was busy making cinnamon toast while Hunter whipped up a couple of omelets. Cooking together had become a favorite pastime for them and they had fallen into somewhat of routine. They worked well together in the kitchen and created many delectable meals. In a very short time, people were eager to be invited to any dinner parties or barbeques that the couple was having. Their cooking had already become the talk of certain circles in town.

This morning, though, they worked together quietly, each lost in thought about the horrible thing that had happened to Sara. As they ate, they bounced various theories off of each other as to what could possibly have caused Sara’s death and who could have been responsible.

“I guess we’ll just have to wait to see what the ME has to say,” Eve finally acknowledged. “Chad promised to call as soon as he knows anything. But we’ve got some interviews to conduct.”

“Yes, that we do,” Hunter replied. “We better take off because the first applicant is due in about 10 minutes.”

“Dammit,” Eve swore. “I had no idea it was so late! I’ll meet you at the car!”

“Okay,” Hunter said. “Which car are we taking?”

“Let’s take mine,” Eve replied. “I just need to go grab my bag.”

Fifteen minutes later, they were entering Eve’s PI office. She turned off the alarm as Hunter headed back to the kitchenette to get some coffee going. They had also decided to set out a simple assortment of pastries for their applicants.

No sooner had they set up the reception area than the first applicant arrived.

Three hours later, they had gone through many applicants without any hopeful winners in sight. So far, they had talked with an 18year old young lady who would be graduating high school in the spring. She was looking for a way “to kill time” during the summer before started college in the fall. An older woman looked promising until the end of the interview when she asked if it would alright if she brought in her grandkids because she also babysat for her daughter on occasion. A man wasn’t interested in running the office but wanted to get his private investigator’s license and “join the team as an investigator.”

“Well, this morning has certainly been a bust,” Eve sighed, as she leaned back in her chair and put her feet up on her desk. “We’re never going to find anyone at this rate.”

“I know it seems that way,” Hunter offered. “But we’ve still got a couple more applicants to see.”

He picked up the next application in the stack and scanned it.

“The next one is due in about five minutes,” he said. “Her name is Skylar Carson. She looks pretty good on paper. Here, have a look.”

Sitting up in her chair, Eve took the résumé and started reading.

“Okay, says she’s good with computers and has excellent organizational skills,” Eve murmured. “I’m afraid to get my hopes up, though.”

At that moment, they heard the outer door open.

“Looks like we’re about to find out if she’s the one or not,” Hunter said as he stood up.

Eve joined him and they both went into the front of the office to greet their newest applicant. No one could have prepared them for Ms. Skylar Carson. In fact, they were both struck dumb as soon as they set eyes on her. Eve was the one to recover first.

“Hi, I’m Eve Snow and this is Hunter Vale,” she said as she held out her hand. “You must be Skylar.”

“Yeah, I must be,” the young woman said as she shook Eve’s hand and then Hunter’s.

She seemed to be rather amused at their reaction to her.

“I’m so sorry for staring like this,” Eve said.

“Oh, it’s cool,” Skylar answered. “I get that a lot.”

Skylar Carson was one of the most unique people she had ever seen up close and personal. She was model tall. She easily stood a head above Eve and was nearly able to look Hunter straight in the eyes. Her body was lean and fit while still retaining a feminine appearance. She had a very arresting face. While not being beautiful in the strictest sense of the word, it was definitely a face that one would be drawn to and wouldn’t be forgotten. Her cheekbones were exquisitely sculpted to create an unusual definition to her face. Full lips created a sultry and rather sardonic look. Deep red hair was cut into a short, spiky style that somehow suited her perfectly.

Yet, it was her eyes that caught and held one’s attention.

Her left eye was a gorgeous emerald green while her right eye was the blue of a summer’s day sky.

“It’s Waardenburg Syndrome,” she said.

“Excuse me?” Hunter said.

“You’re looking at my eyes. I have Waardenburg Syndrome. That’s what causes the two different colored eyes.”

“Oh, yeah,” Eve said slowly. “I’ve heard of that. It might sound odd but on you, it totally works!”

Skylar managed a half grin.

“Thanks,” she said.

Eve thought it was kind of funny that the many tattoos and piercings that Skylar was sporting didn’t outshine those eyes. Once you looked into them, you didn’t notice the rest.

She was dressed in jeans and a tank top that showed off quite bit of her ink and had several piercings in her ears and one eyebrow. Eve strong suspected that the girl may also be wearing some nipple rings but she wasn’t about to ask. She could just imagine the sort of immediate impression that Skylar would make on prospective clients. That leather jacket Skylar was carrying over her shoulder looked like it had seen some action in the past.

“So I guess you’re here about the job,” Eve said.

“Yeah, I’m kind of in-between gigs right now and this one sounded like a kick.”

Hunter made some sort of strange choking noise and Eve ignored him.

“Well, let’s go back to the office so we can talk more,” she said.

Leading the way, Eve motioned for Skylar to follow. Hunter brought up the rear. He didn’t look particularly enthusiastic about this turn of events but Eve didn’t really care. There was something about this young woman that Eve was starting to like more and more.

WHEN THEY REACHED the office, Eve indicated that Skylar should have a seat in the chair across from her desk.

“Would you like anything? We have coffee, juice, tea, soda, and water, along with some pastries,” Eve said.

“Do you have any apple juice?” Skylar asked.

“I believe we do,” Eve replied. “I’m kind of a juice person, too. Hunter, will you please bring Skylar some apple juice?”

He looked a bit annoyed at being cast as errand boy, but he went into the kitchenette willingly enough and returned with a bottle of ice cold apple juice, which he handed to Skylar.

She removed the lid from the bottle and took a long slow drink. Then she looked back at Eve expectantly.

“It says here that you’ve got a lot of computer experience and that you’re very organized,” Eve said, as she read Skylar’s application.

“Yes, I’m the best computer person you’re gonna find anywhere on this side of the country.”

“Is that right?” Eve asked.

“Yep. I can get into anything on the computer. I’ve created my own computer programs, too.”

“I see. I’ve got a ton of files that need to be set up in the computer because I just never seem to have the time or patience to do it myself. Is that something you could do?”

“It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but yeah, I can do that.”

“Hunter, why don’t you go return those phone calls while I talk to Skylar?” Eve asked, looking at him.

“Sure, I’ll do that,” he said. “You ladies don’t seem to actually need me at the moment.”

Chuckling, he exited the office, closing the door behind him.

Skylar’s eyebrows went up a bit as she watched him walk past her. Looking back at Eve, she winked.

“Nice,” she grinned.

“Yes, I, too, love to watch him walk away,” Eve laughed.

“So, you and him?”

“Yes, me and him,” Eve replied. “Actually, we’re getting married in the spring, which is another reason that we need someone to run the office. We’re planning on a week or two away for our honeymoon.”

“Ah, well congratulations,” Skylar said.

“Thank you,” Eve said, smiling. “Believe me, it’s been a long time coming. Anyway, back to you and why you want this job.”

“Well, it’s pretty much all there in front of you,” Skylar said with a shrug. “And when your fiance gets back from calling all of my references, you’ll have even more information.”

Eve sat back in her chair and studied the strange and beautiful young woman sitting across from her.

“You certainly don’t miss much, do you?” she said.

“Not a lot, no,” Skylar replied with a grin.

Eve nodded.

“Okay, you should know that we keep some odd hours sometimes and you’ll be expected to adjust right along with us. Is that a problem for you?”

“Not at all,” Skylar said. “I’m not a real 8 to 5 kind of person anyway. As long as I get a little sleep every day, I’m pretty much good to go.”

“So, you don’t have a child, relationship, school, anything like that to schedule around?”

“Nope, none of those. As you’ve probably figured out, I’m sort of a free agent.”

“Somehow that doesn’t exactly shock me,” Eve said laughing.

The two women chatted for a bit longer and Eve was getting quite comfortable with Skylar Carson. In fact, by the time that Hunter reappeared in the office, giving Eve a quick thumbs up behind Skylar’s back, she had all but made her final decision to hire her.

“Okay, Skylar, would you excuse us for a few minutes? I need to speak with Hunter. Just wait out in the reception area and help yourself to any of the food. It won’t be long.”

“Sure thing,” Skylar said as she rose from her chair and sauntered out the door.

Hunter closed the door and turned to face Eve.

“I want to hire her,” Eve said.

“Now wait a minute,” Hunter said. “Are you sure she’s the first impression that we want people to have of the agency?”

“Her references checked out, right?”

“Yes, they did. Apparently, Ms. Skylar Carson walks on water. But that doesn’t mean she’s right for us.”

“Of course it does! Look, she’s a veritable computer genius on paper and if she’s at least half as good in action, she’s exactly what we need! Yeah, I know she’s not exactly a dress suit wearing chick, but neither am I. She’s also a self-described free agent and can be here whenever we need her because she’s got no other ties outside of working. And did you see her martial arts training on here? Come on, Hunter! She’s PERFECT!”

Hunter looked at Eve and sighed. He knew when he wasn’t going to win and this was one of those times.

“Okay, Evie, let’s do this. We’ll hire her on a probationary basis. If, at the end of that time, she works out, we’ll keep her on permanently. Otherwise, she’s out and we find someone else.”

Leaping up from her chair, she launched herself at Hunter and hugged him. It wasn’t the time to remind him that she was still the primary owner of The Agency and he was still working his way in. She was getting pretty smart about these relationship things.

“You go call her in,” Eve said.

Hunter went out to the reception area and brought Skylar back in with him.

“So, Skylar,” Eve said. “When can you start?”

“No time like the present,” Skylar said with a big smile.

“Awesome! Welcome to The Agency!”

“Thanks! This seems like it will be a fun gig. I do have one question, though. Is the name of this place really The Agency?”

“Yep,” Eve replied. “I’m not very creative sometimes, but it also seemed to be a little different than the other places I’ve seen. So when I couldn’t think of a name, I just went with The Agency.”

“Okay, that’s cool,” Skylar said. “I was just curious. So that chair and desk out there are all mine?”

“They sure are,” Eve said. “Hunter, why don’t you go get Skylar settled while I return some of these phone calls?”

“Okay,” he said. “Welcome, Skylar. Let me show you around.”

Sitting back in her chair, Eve smiled broadly as she watched Hunter take charge of getting their new staff member acclimated. Picking up the phone, she called into her voice mail. There were several messages that she needed to return and she made notes of names with phone numbers. Hanging up the phone, she was just going to return the first call when it rang. Grabbing it before giving anyone else a chance, Eve spoke into it.

“Thanks for calling The Agency. How may I help you?”

“Evie, is that you? This is Chad.”

“Oh, hey, Chad! I was hoping to hear back from you! Anything new about Sara yet?”

“Actually, yeah. Would it be possible for you to meet me at the morgue in about an hour? I want to show you something and I think it may help you to get a feel for this case.”

“Sure, okay, Chad. Hunter and I will meet you there in an hour.”

“Great! Let me tell you, Evie, this one is really weird.”

“You’re starting to make me very curious, Chad. We’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks, Evie. Bye.”