Maddy's Floor (12 page)

Exhilaration pulsed in her blood. Her shoulder-length bob swayed with her heaving breaths. It took another long moment of deep breathing before she slipped her heels back on.

The double doors opened easily as she walked toward Dr. Miko's office – a hoarder's paradise. Usually there was one chair available. Maddy turned toward it, then stopped. Her eyebrows rose in surprise and a swarm of butterflies took flight in her stomach. The detective she'd met in the stairwell several days ago stood in front of her. Again.

What was he doing here?

He smiled. "Hello, Dr. Maddy. How nice to see you again."

"Detective." Damn, that man had something. Her hormones started to do a hula dance. What was with that? Maddy shook her head to clear her mind. "What's going on?"

Roberta waved toward a chair. "Take a seat."

Maddy chuckled. "I'd love to. Where?"

Dr. Miko frowned, her gaze going from one piece of furniture to another. "Just move those." She pointed to one chair stacked high with books.

"Take mine." Drew stepped forward to clear off the spare chair.

Maddy smiled her thanks and sat down in his place as the detective emptied and pulled over his seat. "What's up?"

"I see you've already met Detective Drew McNeil."

Drew? So that was his name. Maddy sank back. She smiled inside. It suited him. "Yes, briefly."

Roberta reached for a folder and opened it. "I called him regarding a possible connection between Jansen's case and several old cases."

"What? Jansen? A criminal case?" Maddy leaned forward, her gaze going between the two. What on earth was Roberta talking about? "What did you find out?"

Dr. Miko frowned as she stared down at the papers in her hand. "I was working with the medical examiner at the time of the earlier cases." She glanced up at Maddy. "They're cases that have haunted me over the years. Six dead children who showed no apparent cause of death, no signs of violence and no explanations could be found for their deaths. They just, well…died. At the time, the politicians were saying a crime hadn't been committed because there was no evidence to support foul play." She grimaced. "Then again, nothing pointed to why the children died, either."

That was depressing, yet what did it have to do with her? Maddy waited for Roberta to continue. "And…?"

"The cases back then had one thing linking them together." Drew's gaze hardened as he looked from one woman to the other. "Each child had one small bruise at the base of their spines. Similar to the one found on Jansen."

Maddy's eyes opened wide. She stared at Drew in surprise before switching her gaze back to Dr. Miko. "That's...odd. What caused them?"

"No idea."

Fear rose in Maddy's chest. "I don't understand. Are you saying Jansen was murdered?"

"No, not at all. All I'm saying is that there are similarities with this body and with those from thirty-odd years ago. I'd love to understand what caused the bruising." Roberta folded her hands. "It may be nothing. However, if it turns out to be something, I wanted to make sure you were both in the know."

"What a horrible thought." Maddy's mind couldn't grasp the connection. She crossed her arms, holding them tight to her chest. Maybe her mind didn't
want
to see a connection. "Six kids? Boys or girls?"

Drew stepped in. "Both. No understandable reason for any of their deaths. It was a sad time – for everyone. No one knew how to handle it. Most people were divided as to whether a crime had even been committed. Like all cold cases, it's haunted many people."

"Can anything be found after all this time?"

Roberta looked at Drew, who tapped his fingers on the wooden arm of his chair. "Let's hope so."

Maddy stood, her knees a little shaky at the thought of a murderer operating at The Haven. The whole concept had a surreal overtone to it. "Well, thanks for letting me know." She smiled at Drew. "If there's anything I can do to help, call me."

He faced her. "I will need some information from you. Such as a list of all the visitors Jansen Svaar had while he was at The Haven."

"There's no formal list of visitors, but I'm sure we can come up with something for you. Give me your card, and I can email the names to you."

As Drew handed over his card Maddy couldn't help but notice the compelling energy he exuded so naturally. It was hard not to appreciate self-confidence and strength.

Maddy narrowly avoided knocking over a stack of books, and wound her way carefully out of the office. "Thanks, Dr. Miko. If you learn anything else, please let me know."

Drew held the door for her but stood in her way. "Dr. Miko forgot to ask something. Why did you ask her to check Jansen's crown for a matching bruise?"

Surprise lit her features. "Oh. That's because they're the two main energy entrances and exits from the body. The crown and the base of the spine."

He blinked and stepped back.

With a small smile, she walked to the stairwell, her mind full of implications from these new developments. As much as she'd like to discuss them further with Drew, she wasn't sure how much she should tell him. Her world was a touch unbelievable to those not involved in energy work. Striding down the hall quickly, she couldn't help a quick glance behind her.

He stood in the middle of the hallway, his hands fisted on his hips, staring at her. Maddy chuckled, gave him a small wave and entered the elevator, making good her escape. Her mind was more than a little overwhelmed, her emotions already somber. Already scared.

A murderer? At The Haven?

SATURDAY

M
addy strolled down the street. Her mind consumed with the issues going on at work. She'd slept in on her day off, had lost herself in hours of research and then spent hours checking on her patients, even though it was her day off. It had been late by the time she'd gotten away.

Now, walking home, the evening sky was a cool gray and dry, not that there was any guarantee it would stay that way. Living in the greater Portland area, windy, wet and gray were the norm. One needed to appreciate nights like this.

Her favorite Italian restaurant was a couple of blocks past her apartment. She'd be a few minutes early, but would enjoy waiting by the fire at the restaurant with a glass of wine in hand. Family-owned and operated, Lugardo's offered good wholesome food for a decent price. Not that she cared about the price. Maddy had money. She worked hard, was paid well and spent little. Since she worked all the time, there was little opportunity to spend.

Her Visa bill popped into her mind. Right, nothing to spend it on except her lingerie. Bustiers, panties, thongs, garter belts, thigh-high stockings – it didn't matter, she loved them all. She smirked, her hand going instinctively to her waist where the purple thong with tiny white and gold flowers decorating the straps lay hidden beneath her clothing. The matching bustier was a treat. Maddy loved the sensuous feeling of wearing it – so delicate, feminine – and so hidden.

Reaching the front door of the tiny café, she pushed it open and entered another world. Momma Rose greeted her effusively and led her to an intimate table for two, covered with a red-checkered tablecloth, beside the fire.

"Oh my dear, you must be freezing. Come, sit. We will feed you, make you feel much better." As soon as Maddy sat down, Momma Rose took off. She returned within minutes with her tall portly husband. "Bill, Dr. Maddy is here. She's chilled."

Maddy chuckled at the eye-rolling look he gave her. "Good evening, Bill. As you can see, I'm fine. And hungry. Lunch was a long time ago." And it couldn't even be called lunch. She'd scoffed a yogurt cup along with her coffee around two o'clock as she'd waded through a stack of paperwork, a ritual that was becoming all too common in recent days.

Tonight was different. Stefan was joining her. Stefan, her mentor, confidant, best friend, fellow energy worker. As well, he was an incredibly talented psychic, with a physical beauty that was just plain unfair – he was a man after all.

"Ohhh no." Momma Rose, who carried a nice layer of padding around her full figure, sounded horrified. "That's not good. You need food. Good food."

Bill winked at her. "Maybe you should start with a glass of good wine. I've got a nice Merlot you should try."

Before she knew it, Maddy had a full glass of wine in her hand and a carafe sitting beside her. The wine had an earthy aroma and a hint of…was that…blackberry? Whatever it was, it made her taste buds sing. Maddy relaxed back into the deep cushioned chair and let the warmth of the fire roll over her.

The door opened. A murmur rose in the small room before dying off into a stunned silence. Maddy grinned. She didn't need to turn around to know that Stefan had arrived. Stunningly gorgeous, his presence caused a ruckus wherever he went. Maddy had known people's jaws to literally drop when he entered a room. And he the nicest guy you'd ever meet.

Thank you.

So he'd been listening for her.

The voice floated through her head, a whisper of warmth and loving energy that made her heart lighten and her smile brighten.

She stared at the fire, enjoying the gold and orange flames doing their wild dance.

Stefan's shadow fell on the table.

"Sit, my dear. Your amazing beauty dwarfs the fire."

He snickered. "Only you talk to me that way." Stefan pulled out the other chair and sat. Reaching across the table, he picked up the carafe of wine, and inhaled the bouquet. "Good choice."

Maddy smiled at the blond Adonis as she took a sip. "Bill's choice."

"Good on Bill."

Momma Rose, continuing to chatter, rushed over to give Stefan a big hug. Finally, Stefan patted her shoulder and had a chance to answer. "I'm fine, Momma Rose. Life's good. Yes, I've been busy. And yes, I'm hungry."

Laughing, Momma Rose took off and returned with a second wine glass. She emptied the carafe into his glass before taking it away with her. She returned within minutes, a full carafe in one hand and a breadbasket piled high with hot buttered garlic bread.

Maddy reached for the steaming piece at the top, biting into it with a moan. "Lord, I'm hungry. It's been a hell of a day."

"It must have been. It takes a lot for you to call out for help."

The reminder that she'd called him and why, slowed her enjoyment of her treat. "I know. Didn't want to put you out. I did suggest that I drive up to your place."

"Not an issue. I've been in the city all day. I'm more than ready for a chance to sit and visit with an old friend." Stefan reached out, his long artist fingers hovering over the basket before making a selection. "Did you order?"

"No. Momma Rosa will bring us whatever she feels we need. Chances are my portion will be enough to feed three."

He grinned. "That's not a bad idea. You're dropping weight again, Maddy. Not good."

Maddy frowned at him. "Surely not. At least not enough to be noticeable."

"Only to someone who knows you well." Stefan studied her face intently. Maddy sipped her wine. She ignored him but couldn't stop the heat from rising up her face. Thankfully, Momma Rose arrived with two steaming plates. As she placed them down in front of them, Maddy giggled. Her plateful could feed a small army.

"Tut, tut." Momma Rose shook a finger at a grinning Stefan. "You make sure Dr. Maddy eats. She's too skinny. She needs a good man to take care of her."

Maddy's eyes widened in shocked amusement.

Stefan's grin deepened.

"You're right. She does need a good man."

Momma Rose beamed at him. "Yes, yes. She works too hard looking after everyone else. No one looks after her."

"We're working on it, Momma Rose. Not to worry. She'll be partnered soon."

Maddy, in the process of taking a sip of wine, choked, spitting wine everywhere as a beaming Mama Rose disappeared into the kitchen. Reaching for a napkin, Maddy gasped for breath then coughed until her eyes watered and her air passages cleared.

Reaching over, Stefan patted her on the back. "Are you okay?"

She glared, at him and gasped, "I was until you opened your mouth."

Stefan sat down, a gentle smirk turned her way. "Are you telling me that with all your energy work and healing ability, you have no idea that your single state is changing?"

Maddy put her napkin down on the table. Her astonishment turned to shock before finally turning to horror. "Like you're one to talk. Why don't you have someone special in your life?" She glared at him. "Of course, I don't have any idea. There is one basic element missing here – it's called a man. The man."

A knowing grin swept across his face. "He's a relatively new addition to your life. However, he's there now. You know it, you feel it, and you're denying it." The smile dropped off. "And I do know what is happening in terms of my own private life, but there won't be any movement in that area for several months, or longer. Your time is now."

Maddy stared at one of the most powerful psychics in the modern world and didn't know what to say. Questions crowded her mind, but the biggest one demanded an answer. "Who?" she whispered, urgently, her gaze locked on his face. She needed to know. "Who?"