Read Online The Fire and the Veil (Veronica Barry Book 2) by Sophia Martin - Free Book Online Page A

was sorry. Why now? I figure she wants something.”
    Daniel pondered this. “What do you think she wants?”
    “I haven’t figured that out.”
    “Something to do with your ability.”
    “No doubt.”
    “Well, keep me informed,” Daniel said seriously.
    “Yes, sir, Detective.”
    “I’m not kidding, Veronica. I want to know what she wants from you. She was helpful when we were looking for Angie, but I didn’t like the way she turned on you.”
    “You know, that didn’t happen in a vaccuum,” Veronica said.
    Daniel said nothing and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
    “How is IA’s investigation going?”
    “Felsen’s on desk duty while they figure out if there’s any solid evidence that she tampered with the crime scene.”
    “I’m heart-broken for her.”
    “Felsen’s a good cop, Ronnie. She’s a good person. She just made a mistake.”
    “She tried to frame an innocent person for Sylvia’s murder.”
    Daniel exited the freeway. “And she dug up some dirt on you, too, I know. It’s never pleasant when someone airs your dirty laundry.”
    “Do you really think that’s what my problem is with her?” Veronica demanded.
    “I think it didn’t help.”
    “Daniel, I didn’t do anything wrong. Not six weeks ago, with the Grant Slecterson mess, and not three years ago, with that case she dug up. So no, that’s not why I have a problem with her.”
    Daniel shrugged, one hand resting on the wheel. “You just don’t know her very well. You two got off on the wrong foot.”
    “She threatened to have her friend at the Sacramento Bee print an article about what a fraud I am!”
    “I’m not saying she’s blameless…”
    “And you know the part that really gets me? She did all that because unlike you, she believed me. She believed I’m psychic. She did it because she was afraid I’d rat her out.”
    “She was trying to help someone,” Daniel said.
    “Whatever,” Veronica said. She gazed out at the strip malls they passed on their way into Roseville.
    ~~~
    Harry barreled along the water’s edge as small waves lapped over his paws. He managed to scare up some ducks and after they flew off, he turned back to Daniel and Veronica as if to say, “Look what I did!” His pink tongue hung out as he trotted up to be petted before bolting off again.
    “He loves it here,” Veronica said, standing a few feet from the water’s edge, Daniel beside her.
    “I don’t blame him,” Daniel said. “On a nice day this place looks like the Mediterranean. White sand, blue water.”
    “Have you ever been to the Mediterranean?” Veronica asked.
    Daniel glanced at her. “No.”
    She nodded with a smile.
    “Still, you have to admit, it’s a pretty lake,” Daniel said.
    “Oh yeah. I’ve been swimming in it a few times.”
    “Really? Wow. I haven’t gone that far.”
    “It’s nice as long as the water’s clear. When the level’s low I wouldn’t want to go in.”
    Daniel nodded. “Maybe someday we could really see the Mediterranean,” he said lightly.
    Veronica looked out over the water, letting the comment sink in. So he foresaw a time when they would travel together as far as the Mediterranean. Like, for a honeymoon, maybe? How did she feel about that? She wasn’t sure. She did want to see the Mediterranean, of course. And she liked Daniel, a lot. In fact, when she wasn’t freaking out, she enjoyed his company more than anyone’s she’d known, even Melanie’s, and Melanie was by far the best friend she’d ever had.
    She was gazing at him, without realizing it, and he noticed. He reached out and took her hand. “You don’t say what you’re thinking much,” he noted. “Did you know that?”
    She smiled. “I was an only child,” she said. “I guess I’m in the habit of living inside my own head most of the time.”
    He grinned at her. “That explains a lot of things.”
    Veronica frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “I think you’re not used to letting people