Page 33 of A Touch of Murder (Touched #1)

"Make her dinner. Let that woman get off her feet for a while.

She's always on the go," Stella told Barret.

"Don't go trying to bake her a cake though.

I'm sure your skills are nowhere on par with hers.

Either have one of us bake her something or sneak off into one of the neighboring towns and grab her one. "

"I've already ordered her a cheesecake from a place she loves." Barret met Adam's gaze. "I just came to chat. I'll drop in later when you're not so busy."

"You get in here." Mrs. Jensen stood. "We've finished. Adam gave us each three readings. Now we get to go home and tell our family about everything he told us."

"I'll email those recordings to you right away." Adam handed Jacey the recorder so he could get them sent.

"Thank you. This was fun. We should do this more often. I'm sure we've got plenty of items lying around the house that have a history." The woman Adam had never been introduced to started to gather her things.

"You ladies are welcome back anytime," he told them.

"We should hire you for the next town gathering.

It would be a blast to let you read things, and a good way to let anyone in the community who doesn't know you see what you can do.

" Mrs. Jensen offered her hand. "Thank you for humoring us.

We were hopeful, but I guess not all of us can own priceless jewels. "

"Any family heirloom is priceless to the family that owns it. It doesn't have to be worth millions to be valuable," Adam told them as he shook her hand.

Jacey walked the ladies out and Barret came over to the table. "That looked like a fun bunch."

Adam downed the last of one bottle of water and opened up a chocolate bar.

"They were hoping to have some historical piece like Mrs. Kendal did.

It was fun to tell them a little history of their jewels.

I'm guessing those three won't be the last I see come in hoping some item they have lying around has historic value.

" He kept the conversation to work when all he really wanted to ask Barret was what he meant with that simple touch the night before. "What are you up to?"

Barret reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

He unfolded it, smoothed it out on the table, then handed it to Adam.

"Meet Michael Ray Stevenson. Fifty-six years old out of California.

Served ten years in Arizona for rape. Was released a little less than a year ago, then went off the radar.

Last known location was in Tucson where he was working for a construction company.

That was about three months ago. He hasn't been seen since. "

"How did you get this information?" Adam sat forward, staring down at the image of the older man he'd see attack Trina.

"D.N.A. results came back. We had Stevenson's D.N.A. since he'd served time in prison, but we don't have a match to the second."

Adam was excited. "So there were two strands of D.N.A. collected? That means when you catch them, there's no denying they were the ones that attacked her."

"Unless they have another reason for their D.N.A to be on Trina's body," Barret told him.

"They aren't related, are they? Like a father and son?"

"No, they aren't related. Experts are looking to see if there is a close match to the second D.N.A. hit in the system, maybe giving us a hint at family, but that usually takes time and doesn't always give us results. "

Adam set the paper down. "This is great news. I mean, it's not an arrest, but it sure is one step closer. I'm sure if you find this guy, you'll find the other. "

Barret nodded. "We're working with the police in Tucson now trying to track down all of Stevenson's known friends and family in the area.

Hopefully, someone will recognize our second suspect.

" Barret reached over, took the paper, and refolded it.

"That's not the only reason I dropped by.

You heard me mention Becky's birthday on Sunday? "

"Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned it. I had no idea."

"Well, I'm having Becky over to my place for dinner that night and I was hoping you might join us. It's just Becky and her best friend, Francine. I'm smoking some beef ribs and just doing a small backyard thing for her. It'll be just the four of us."

"Are you sure Becky would want me there? I mean, we're friends, but this feels more like a family thing."

"She'd love you there. Besides, I could use the backup. When Beck and Fracine get together, I never know what I'm in for. The two have been harassing me as far back as I can remember. It's really casual. Just a few friends getting together."

"If you're sure Becky won't mind. Can I bring something? Maybe make a pasta salad or something to go with the ribs?" Adam asked, excited at the idea of a night out with friends. He hadn't done that in a long time, and even then, it was usually something with Jacey and his family.

"That would be great if it's no trouble.

I'll have corn on the cob on the smoker as well.

I bought the damn smoker five months ago and have only used it twice.

I'm excited to get to use it again. I've got that cheesecake I ordered for Becky, and Francine will bring wine.

I've got beer if you're good with that, otherwise, bring something you like to drink. "

"I'll be there, but I'll need your address.

" Adam again thought about Barret's caress last night and wondered if he was making a mistake getting even closer to Barret and his sister.

Barret might think letting Adam touch him would be okay, until it wasn't. At some point, he'd realize that Adam was able to see nearly everything, and that would be too much.

Getting his hopes up was just setting himself up for heartbreak.

Barret pulled out a business card and quickly wrote on the back of it. "It's nothing fancy, but it's home." He tossed the card across the table to Adam. "Come over any time after four. We'll eat around six."

"Thanks. I'm looking forward to it." Adam held the card in his gloved hand.

"And Beck knows about the party, so you don't need to hide it from her.

She also knows I was going to invite you.

She doesn't know about the cheesecake, or the necklace I bought her, so keep quiet on those.

" Barret stood. "I need to get back to the office.

I've left Vance to do all the reports and computer work.

If I don't step in and help, he'll be mad. "

"You've been doing the leg work. I'm sure he would rather be in the office.

Soon enough, this town will be full of tourists and you two will be wishing for a chance to sit in front of a computer for a while.

" Adam stood as well, coming around the table to walk Barret out front.

When he saw Jacey at his desk, he told him, "Go get lunch. I've got this for a while."

"You sure? Might get another group from the local nursing home," Jacey teased.

"Hush, they're paying customers. I gave them a deal. I figure we'll get a few more like them before it quiets down again. Can't blame them for hoping they hold something priceless. Everyone dreams of easy riches." Adam shrugged.

"True." Jacey got up from his desk. "I'm running to Chubby's. You two want anything?"

Adam pulled a twenty out of his wallet. "Get me a double cheeseburger and an order of chili fries." He handed it to Jacey.

"I'm off to the station, but thanks," Barret told him.

"I'll be back in a bit." Jacey was out the door without another word.

"He seems excited," Barret mused.

"New girlfriend. My guess is she's taking her lunch with him," Adam explained.

"Ah, that explains everything." Barret turned to face Adam.

"I'll probably see you before the party, but if not, I'll see you then.

" Then just as he had last night, Barret reached out and pressed the palm of his hand to Adam's cheek.

He held it there for just a moment, then stepped back.

"Have a good afternoon." He turned and walked out the door.

Adam stared in shock, wondering what the hell he was going to do about the man who was daring to get too close. The problem was, Adam wanted him close, and no matter the problems he saw coming from whatever this was, he wanted more.