Read Online Catherine Spangler - [Sentinel 02] - Touched By Fire (v5.0) (html) by Unknown - Free Book Online Page A

and she doesn’t social much with the blokes at work. But . . . there is this chap she met at the Red Lion on Friday night. He was trying to chat her up.”
    “Chat her up?”
    “Oh, sorry. He was really coming on to her. Asked her to go to dinner with him Saturday night and she agreed.”
    “She did?”
    “Yes. I was chuffed. This chap was bloody gorgeous, and I was pleased she was going to see him again. I wonder if she might be going off with him. I know I’d jump at the chance.”
    Marla had hardly dated since that night eleven years ago. She wouldn’t go to Mexico with a man she’d just met, especially without informing anyone. “What can you tell me about this man?” Julia asked, fear coiling inside her like a snake.
    “He was big, over six feet, long blond hair, stunning blue eyes. His name was Luke something or other . . . started with a P , I think. Oh, hell, I can’t recall it.”
    “Anyone else there with them?”
    “Hmmm. They were sitting at the bar, on the far right side. A young woman was tending. She had that fake red hair.”
    “You said it was the Red Lion. On Friday night?”
    “Right. Happy hour. Listen, is there anything I can do?”
    “No.” Julia drew a deep breath. She didn’t even know what she was going to do. “You’ve been helpful, and I appreciate it. Tell you what—let me give you my home and cell phone numbers. Will you call me if you talk to Marla, or hear anything?”
    “Of course I will. And I’ll give you my cellular as well.”
    They exchanged numbers, and Julia said good-bye and hung up. She tried to tell herself everything was all right, that Marla was fine. But the old sick feeling was back, the shaking that started inside and worked its way out like a scream.
    Julia was very, very afraid that Marla might have gone off with this blond man, a man who could be a criminal . . . a monster. And Julia knew firsthand there were real, live monsters in the world. She hoped she was wrong, and that Marla had really gone with friends to Mexico. That she was safe and having fun.
    But what if . . . Julia drew another deep breath, forced herself to calm. She was an intelligent, resourceful woman. She wouldn’t let Marla sink into the depths of hell without a fight.
    Her first order of business: a visit to the police.
FOUR
    MARLA sat at the kitchen table, Bryony cuddled in her lap. Another point in Luke’s favor, as he seemed to realize she needed the familiar comfort of the poodle’s warm—albeit tense—body. He’d even shown admirable restraint when Bryony went for him the moment she was untied.
    Marla didn’t understand it. At home, Bry always barked at visitors, but calmed down after the initial contact. Yet she didn’t like Luke. Marla hoped it was the odd energy he emanated, and not some inner core of evil only the poodle could sense.
    Now Bryony tracked his every move, growling whenever he stepped in their direction. He was fixing breakfast, displaying an easy, practiced skill in the kitchen. A pound of bacon was sizzling in two ancient cast iron skillets, and ten biscuits baked in the oven, while a fresh pot of coffee brewed. Mr. Macho Chef. All he needed was an apron and one of those tall white hats, although he looked really fine in those faded jeans and white T-shirt. The kitchen towel threaded through his belt loop didn’t detract in any way from his breathtaking masculinity.
    Marla watched in amazement as he cracked an entire dozen eggs into a bowl. “Um, I really don’t eat that much,” she said. “Even if I am . . .” She glanced down her jeans—relaxed fit—noting how they stretched over her generous thighs.
    He paused his mixing. “If you’re what?”
    Stupid fat genes. “Never mind.” She waved a hand at the stove. “Who’s going to eat all that food?”
    “I expect you to eat some of it. I’ll handle the rest.” He turned and started removing the bacon from the skillets. “Sentinels have very fast metabolisms. I eat a lot of