Read Online Stealing Shadows by Kay Hooper - Free Book Online Page A

still a possibility."

    "A very slight one."

    "And you're living way the hell out here, alone, without even a dead bolt on the front door. Jesus, Cassie. If you'd told us, at least we could have taken steps to keep you safe. A security system, a dog. A gun."

    "I don't know how to use a gun. I don't want to know. And you may have noticed that I'm fine."

    "Now. But what happens if you tap into this guy again?"

    "I'll make sure he doesn't know I'm there."

    "And if you make a mistake? If he realizes you can watch everything he does when he's committing a murder?"

    "He won't."

    "But if he does?"

    Cassie drew a breath. "Ben, I came to terms with that threat a long time ago. I had to. It's a risk I have to take. All I can do is be careful, and I've learned how to be."

    "I don't like it, Cassie."

    "You don't have to like it. It's my risk to take." She made sure her voice was calm and sure.

    "I know that, dammit."

    Fooled them again.Cassie wondered how much longer she could do that, could fool those around her into believing that taking the risk of inviting a psychopath into her mind – into her soul – didn't scare her half to death.

    A little longer, maybe.

    Trying to distract him, she glanced at the manila folder he'd laid on the coffee table. "What else is in there?"

    "Not much. Sketchy background information, school records, that sort of thing. As far as the official record is concerned, you've led a quiet, unexceptional life."

    It was amazing, Cassie thought, how little of someone's life could be revealed by official record. And how much lay hidden.

    "I guess Sheriff Dunbar has checked out my references by now?"

    "Yeah."

    "And still doesn't believe I can do what I claim."

    "He's hardheaded. It's his biggest fault."

    "Most cops consider that a necessary character trait." She smiled, and saw that Ben was watching her steadily. It was unnerving. He shouldlook like a judge, dammit, silver-haired and forbidding. Instead, if he had celebrated his fortieth birthday, Cassie would have been surprised; there wasn't a single silver thread among the dark ones, and there was youthful energy and strength in the way he moved and carried himself. Along with that, he possessed a warmth and empathy so strong, she felt it reaching out to her.

    Rare. That was so rare, especially among men, that ability and willingness to feel the pain of another human being. But Ben could do it, even though she doubted it was a skill he enjoyed.

    That was why this was going to tear him to pieces.

    "Cassie?"

    She blinked, then conjured another smile. "I was just thinking that I hope Sheriff Dunbar is right. I hope that poor girl's death was an isolated incident and that he finds her killer quickly."

    "But you don't believe he will."

    "No. I'm afraid not."

    "Neither do I." Ben picked up the folder, returned the copy of the newspaper article to it, and got to his feet. "I have an appointment in an hour, so I'd better go."

    Cassie walked with him to the front door. "I guess you'll tell the sheriff what you found out. About my mother."

    "Not if you don't want me to. But I think he should know, Cassie."

    She opened the front door. "Okay. Tell him what you like."

    Ben hesitated. "You know, there's something I don't think you've considered."

    "Oh? What's that?"

    "You're not in L.A. now, protected by the sheer number of strangers all around you. This is a small town, Cassie. Not so small that absolutely everyone knows everyone else, but small enough. And people talk. Your trips to Matt's office, and to mine, have been and will be noted. Eventually word will get out about your abilities. So even if you do manage not to alert the killer when you're in his mind, chances are that sooner or later he's still going to know who you are. And you won't be a disembodied voice in his mind. You'll be a flesh and blood person with an address in the phone book – and no dead bolt on your front door."

    After a moment Cassie said, "I'll keep that in