Do you remember being from those tribes or is that something you were told after the coma?
I remember. He paused, then frowned. I also remember Moms body being laid out at the funeral house. It isnt a good memory.
No. I dont suppose it is. Rex furrowed his brows. Do you have any good memories?
Not really. Daniel paused once again, pondering the question. Actually, my memories of Allie are good.
He glanced her way, and she scooted to the edge of the recliner. As soon as their gazes locked, he broke eye contact. He wasnt comfortable with Rex watching.
How good are they? the P.I. asked, almost making the query sound like a double entendre.
Not that good, Daniel wanted to say. Theyre kind of warm and fuzzy, I guess. He hoped that didnt sound stupid, but it was the only description that came to mind. I dont remember her as much as the feeling of being around her.
And it was warm and fuzzy?
For lack of a better term, yeah.
Rex shifted his attention to Allie. Does that sound about right to you?
She nodded. Daniel and I were close.
But there was no romance?
No. She started to fidget.
Annoyed, Daniel squinted at the P.I. Is this line of questioning necessary?
Yes, it is. I need to know if theres anything that happened between the two of you that the vandal might have seen or heard. Rex pushed Allie a little further. No romance at all?
No, she said again.
Not even one little oops? One little kiss?
She responded with another fidgety, No.
Rex kept pushing. Were you visibly attracted to each other? The way you are now? he added, not mincing his observations or his words.
Her breath hitched. Yes.
Damn, Daniel thought. This hungry-for-each-other thing wasnt new. He gave Rex a flustered stare. Can we move on now?
Rex gave him a tight nod in return. Yes, but Id like to know about other women from your past. Do you recall any of your former lovers?
No, and I already told you about Glynis over the phone.
Shes a good place to start, but she cant be the only significant woman from your past. Im going to have to interview your friends and family and see what they know.
Youre an old friend, Daniel pointed out. Dont you remember me being with anyone?
Unfortunately I dont. You were private that way. But someone else from The Society might have a helpful recollection.
Having his life dissected by other people sucked, Daniel thought. What if the vandal isnt a former lover? What if its someone with a whacked-out crush on me?
I plan to work on that angle, too. And Im going to need as much cooperation as I can get from you. He looked at Allie. And from you. Whoever did this has probably been watching you and Daniel. Tracking your relationship. She might even blame you for his memory loss.
Daniel spoke up. Youll get our cooperation. But Im not sitting idly by. This is my investigation, too. Whatever leads you uncover, or the police discover, or I find out on my own, Im following through on them. Im doing the legwork.
I figured you would. A second later, Rex addressed Allie, including her once again. And you,
too. From what I heard, you and Fearless made quite a team.
We did, she admitted softly, drawing Daniel to the sound of her voice, to that warm and fuzzy feeling that lingered in his scattered mind.
Chapter 3
Allie had never liked the van, anyway. His new vehicle was much sexier. But so was he. Everything about him left her breathless. She glanced at his profile and got warm and tingly.
You okay? he asked.
Why? Dont I seem all right?
Youre fussing with your seat belt.
Because the device seemed too tight across her Daniel-deprived body. One little kiss, one little oops, as Rex had put it, sounded darn good about now. Im okay.
Are you nervous about seeing Glynis?
Allie glanced out the window. Theyd just dropped off Sam at the veterinary clinic where she would be boarded, and now they were headed to Daniels old lovers house.
Are you? he asked again.
Yes, she responded truthfully. Shed never expected to confront his ex again. Shed had enough run-ins with Glynis in the past to last a lifetime.
I can take you back to my place, he offered. I can do this alone.
No way. Allie wanted to see the other womans reaction firsthand. I wonder if well be able to tell if shes the vandal, if shell give herself away.
That seems doubtful. From what you said about her, she sounds complex.
She is. I was hoping this would be easy, I guess.
Daniel turned onto Ventura Boulevard, following the directions Allie had given him earlier. Can you still paint magic pictures?
The question caused her to widen her eyes. Do you remember that about me?
He shook his head. You told me about it.
Oh, thats right, I did.
Well, can you?
I dont know. Her experience with Raven had started with a portrait shed painted of him. I havent been involved in anything magical since then.
What about sensing the presence of ghosts? Can you still do that?
Once again, she didnt know. I suppose I could if there was a ghost who insinuated itself into our lives. Last time, both she and Daniel had made contact with ghosts, but her connection to the spiritual world had been stronger than his. Why? Are you getting a ghostly vibe?