Page 29 of A Touch of Murder (Touched #1)

"How did she die?" the boy asked, sounding suddenly very serious, and perhaps worried.

Adam seldom lied to his customers, but when it came to children, he was very careful about what he said.

His vision told him this deer had been attacked by a coyote and died, but he didn't tell the boy that.

"She looks to have lived a very happy and long life, and just laid down and went to sleep. She died happy and old."

He opened his eyes and caught the relived look on Brady's mother's face.

"How long ago? Can you tell?" Brady asked.

"It's hard to say. I would guess maybe twenty or thirty years ago." Adam had no idea how old the bone was. He had nothing to base a timeline on. Trees looked the same today as they had a hundred years ago. "It's hard to say with animal bones."

"Do you think there are more bones there?" Brady asked.

"I'm not sure. There could be. Sometimes the rain and snow move the bones around, so they aren't close together.

" Adam reached out and gently let the bone drop back on the table in front of Brady.

"I wish I could tell you more, but deer are pretty simple creatures.

They wander around, eat, drink, and play in meadows.

" He slowly pulled his glove back on and took the water that Jacey handed to him.

He took a long drink, then took one of the candy bars and handed it to Brady's mother.

"This is for Brady for being so interested in nature.

He can have it when you tell him it's okay.

" Adam tore open a bar for himself and popped a square of chocolate into his mouth.

This reading had taken hardly any of his energy.

"Thanks." Brady grinned at his mom. "Can we come back if I find more?"

"Sure, as long as your mother says you can." Adam smiled at the woman.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked.

"Nothing. I don't mind helping kids learn." He meant that. The reading hadn't been hard, and he'd have a loyal customer in the future if they ever needed something important figured out.

"No, you took the time to help him. Please, at least take this." She set a twenty-dollar bill on the table. "You have just given me a quiet day to work in the house as Brady entertains himself digging in the yard."

He let the money lay there. "Thank you, but when it comes to stuff like this, I look at it as helping the community. It's good to know about the animals around the area."

"Nevertheless, you took the time. Thank you for that." She patted her son on the shoulder. "Tell them thank you and let's get back home and see what else you might find."

"Thank you." Brady hugged the bone to his chest. "Maybe I can find all of her." He looked at Jacey.

"Maybe." Jacey laughed. "You're lucky. I never found bones when digging in my yard."

"You can come dig with me if you want," Brady offered.

"I'd love to, but I have to work. You let us know if you find any more." Jacey walked the kid and his mother out front.

Adam smiled, wishing all his readings were that enjoyable.

Reading for kids was something he'd always enjoyed.

He'd read everything from marbles, old nails, and even a toy or two that had been unburied.

He never charged for those readings. Still, most parents left him a little something as a thank you.

He took the twenty and put it in his drawer.

"How did the deer actually die?" Jacey walked back into the room.

"Coyote," Adam told him.

"Brady's a good kid. He lives down the street from my house. They go to church with us."

"I like it when kids come in. I actually wish we got more of them." Adam turned as the bell on the door rang again. This time when he stepped out, he was surprised to see Barret. "I didn't expect you this morning."

"I had to come show you what I got." Barret had his phone in hand.

"Tell me it was an arrest."

"Not that good, but it's still a good lead." Barret passed his phone to Adam. "Hit play on that video."

"Hit play for me," Adam told Jacey who had come to stand beside him. He knew from experience that he would probably not be able to use the touch screen wearing gloves.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you can't do touch screens." Barret laughed. "Watch. You're going to love this."

Adam watched as the video started to play.

It took him a moment to recognize the place he was looking at, but then he realized it was Swenson Hardware, and the camera was pointed at the check stand.

A few seconds into the video a man walked up, shoved Verna as he stepped in line before her and looked to be saying something to her.

"That's him. You found video of him in town. "

"Thanks to Mike and Verna. I spoke to them this morning and Verna verified that Maggie's drawing was the same man, so I went to Swenson and asked if they had video.

Verna had the receipt from her purchase, so I knew when to look.

It was the same day that Trina went missing.

About six hours before," Barret told them.

"Please tell me he used a credit card." Adam looked up from the phone.

"No, it was cash. He bought several bungee cords and a pack of zip ties."

"Just like I saw." Adam handed the phone back to him.

"Yeah, that's my thinking too. But at least we've verified the man was in town the day Trina was taken.

Verna said he was rude, and she thought possibly drunk.

Guess he upset Mike the way he pushed Verna aside.

The employee at Swenson's doesn't remember the guy, but thankfully we got the video.

Other officers are asking around to see if any other businesses near Swenson Hardware have cameras outside that might have picked up what he was driving.

" Barret shoved his phone back in his pocket.

"Vance is back at the station running the images of him through a facial recognition program, but that can take forever. "

"So, what's your next step?" Jacey asked.

"Other than confirming the faces that Adam saw, we don't really have much more to go on.

We'll continue to question businesses around the area and keep calling trucking companies and sending them the pictures of these men so that we can try and find who they work for.

" Barret rolled his shoulders. "We have to stop these men.

I know they'll grab another girl in time. "

"If they haven't already," Adam agreed.

"Which is why I'm headed back out to question people. I just wanted to drop by and let you know that what you saw was real. The men in the video match what you had Maggie draw," Barret told them.

"I never doubted my vision." Adam smiled, knowing that Barret was still struggling with what Adam could do. "I'm glad it was verified. Now if we could only get their names."

"I'm learning not to question what you see," Barret admitted.

"Good. You're learning," Adam teased. "If you're still around town after five, drop by the apartment. I have chili cooking. I'd enjoy the company."

"Sounds better than the lunch meat I have at home. I've been so busy I haven't even had time to run by the store. My fridge is nearly empty. Unless something big comes up, I'll drop by. Thanks. I'll talk to you both soon." Barret waved his hand as he stepped back outside.

"I like him," Jacey commented.

"He's a good man," Adam agreed.

"You know he's gay, right?" Jacey grinned.

"Is he? The topic never came up." Adam acted as if he wasn't interested.

He'd known Barret was into men. He'd known that almost the moment Barret walked into the shop the first time.

He couldn't say how he'd known, but he had.

And though he wouldn't admit it to anyone, he was interested.

He just knew better than to push for something that couldn't go anywhere.

They could be friends, but anything more was impossible.

Adam couldn't even kiss another man without invading his memories and learning more than anyone wanted to share about their past. "Let it go, Jacey.

We've got that shipment of windchimes in that we need to decide where to hang. "

"You know what they say about all work and no play." Jacey laughed.

"Just because your love life is on fire doesn't mean mine needs to be.

" Adam walked into the back to get the boxes of windchimes that had come in yesterday.

As he lifted the boxes into his arm, he couldn't help wishing things could be different.

He liked the idea of dating Barret, but it would never happen. He was destined to be alone.