Page 96 of The Hitman and the Psychic

“What for?”

He shrugged. “I was on the phone with her in the apartment right before you saved my ass.”

My brows dipped. “Oh?”

“Yeah. She and I have been done for several months now, but she keeps calling me.”

“About what?”

He shrugged. “Um, that day it was about a pair of earrings that she thought she’d left in the living room. I was looking for them when you knocked me down.”

“Earrings she’d left there several months ago? That you never noticed before?” I shook my head. “I’m not buying it.”

His eyes narrowed. “So… what? You think she’s in on it?”

“Did she hear what happened? The gunshots and everything?”

“Probably. I dropped the phone when it happened, so she would’ve been on the line. When I found it later, there were several missed calls from her. I was going to let her know I was okay, but I forgot.”

I grimaced. “It’s got to be her. She must be the link… she must have set you up.Shegot you in the living room at the right time so Johnny could take a shot at you. She knows where you go to the gym, she knows what kind of motorcycle you ride, your schedule. All of it. It makes perfect sense now. Didn’t you wonder how the shooter knew where you’d be standing?”

He huffed out a breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Shit.” He shook his head. “It makes sense, but I’m having a hard time believing it.” His mouth twisted as he met my gaze. “She… well, she said she was in love with me. If that’s true, then why would she want me dead?”

I raised an eyebrow. Really? “You should call her back.”

“And say what?”

“Tell her you’ve been busy and you’re sorry you didn’t get back to her sooner. Maybe you could tell her you found her earrings, and you’d be happy to drop them by her place. If she’s in on it, she’ll jump at the chance. Either way, I can touch her and find out.”

His lips turned down. “If you’re right, this changes everything.” After letting out a breath, he nodded. “Fine. I’ll call her and put it on speaker, so you can hear what she says.”

I nodded just as the phone clicked and she picked up. “Nate? Is that you? I’vebeen so worried. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry I didn’t call you back. I forgot.”

She sucked in a breath. “Oh, sure. I get it, but last time we spoke, it sounded like something terrible was going on. You must have dropped your phone. So what was it? What happened?”

“Oh… that. It wasn’t a big deal. I accidentally knocked a painting off my wall, and the glass broke. I was looking for your earrings when it happened.”

“Really? That’s all it was? It sounded worse.”

“Yeah, but I found your earrings. Want me to drop them by your place later?”

She gasped. “You did?”

“Yup.”

“Okay… you can come over. Um… let me check my schedule for the best time, and I’ll call you back.”

“Sure. Talk to you then.” Stone disconnected and met my gaze. “Well, she definitely sounded a little nervous. You might be right.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And if she’s in on it, that means she knows Johnny. But how?”

“Good question. I know that the darkness and anger I picked up in the building where he took the shot was from Johnny. So whatever he’s got going with Aubree, it’s benefiting him, not her. He’s got to be the one behind it.”

“And if you touch her, we can find out for sure. Then we can use her to get to him.”

“As long as she doesn’t tell him we’re coming. Maybe we should surprise her? Show up at her work or something? That way she can’t set a trap for you.”

Nate let out a breath. “That’s a good idea. But she’s a real estate agent, so her office hours aren’t set. I guess we could still stop by and see if we get lucky?”

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