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Later that evening, Luna phoned Chris and told him everything that she had found out at the library.
“You are becoming quite the gumshoe.” Gaines was only half joking.
“I know I’m being pushy about this, but do you think we can have an answer about the handwriting before Saturday? Tori is coming in the morning for a reading.”
“Well, that should be interesting now that you have an idea.”
“Yeah. I did the worst thing a psychic could do. Research. But it wasn’t to cheat. It was to get to the bottom of the trunk, the diary, and the note. I’m not going to lie to her or pretend I pulled this information out of thin air. I will ask her about a fire, which, may I remind you, was in the sketch I did when I first met her. Then everything else seemed to fall into place. More or less.”
“You were acting on a hunch,” Gaines said.
“That is correct.”
“So it wasn’t really cheating.” Gaines knew Luna had misgivings about exploring other people’s background. “You were following your intuition about the fire and the connection.”
Luna sighed. “You’re right. I had all the best intentions.”
“Now, don’t get all wimpy on me. If you can bring a brother and sister together, then you’ve done a good thing.”
“That’s what worries me. What if they hate each other?”
“I guess you’ll find out. Look, you are giving them an opportunity for reconciliation. They can choose to do whatever they want afterward.”
“This is why I like you so much.” Luna almost gasped at verbalizing her feelings for him.
“And I like you, too.”
Luna could feel his smile coming through.
“I’ll call my contact tomorrow and see if he can check out the handwriting before Saturday.”
“You’re the best. Thanks.” Luna wasn’t sure what to say next.
“You’re quite welcome. I figure if I don’t help you out, you’re going to try to do it on your own, and I have enough work with criminal behavior.”
Luna burst out laughing. “Me? Criminal?”
“Let’s say unconventional. I’m sure you’re all jazzed about this. Try to get a good night’s sleep. I’ll give you a call in the morning.”
“Sounds good. And, Chris?” She paused. “I really do like you.”
“Ditto, you lunatic.”
Chapter Seventeen
Saturday
The week following their heart-to-heart talk, Tori and her husband seemed to have turned a corner. He was home for dinner every night but Thursday. He even helped with the dishes. Tori was being cautiously optimistic that this was a new beginning for them. When she told her boss about their conversation, he was delighted to hear that she had taken his advice. “The offer still stands about the break room. You’re still going to need to take care of the little one.”
She told her husband where she was going but not exactly what she was doing. She needed some reassurance from Luna. She didn’t know what she would do if Luna told her to “run like hell,” but she was feeling hopeful.
* * *
Luna arrived at the center a little before nine. She was prepared to answer all of Tori’s questions. And then Luna had a couple of her own.
When Tori arrived, Luna offered her coffee and a pastry. Tori was happy to accept. Luna noticed a different vibe from the woman.
“Please sit.” Luna motioned to the table next to the easel. She pulled out her marker and began to draw without looking at the paper. “Are things better with you and your husband?”
