Page 22 of A Touch of Murder
"Me too." Adam smiled. "Not the reason behind it though. I really wish we'd seen someone. I'd love to let the Wilsons bury their daughter knowing justice was served."
"Yeah, me too. It might not happen before they bury her, but I swear justice will come. I know I can't make promises, but damn it, I'm going to solve her murder. This is one of those cases that will stick with me the rest of my life if I don't."
"Have you worked a lot of murders?" Adam asked.
"Too many. Back in Seattle we'd see several a month. Here in Hidden Falls, this is only my third, and the first two weren't hard to figure out. One was a domestic where the wife killed her abusive husband, and the other was a drunken bar fight between two of the town's troublemakers. The two had been enemies for years and no one was surprised when things finally came to a head one night after too many drinks." Barret slowly pulled into a line of traffic trying to exit the parking lot. "This one is different. As far as we know, Trina hadn't upset anyone. She was a good kid who was looking forward to going to college in Oregon to become a nurse. She had her whole life in front of her.Hell, she was seventeen. Think about how much living you've done since you were seventeen. She's going to miss out on all that."
Adam nodded. "Seventeen feels like a lifetime ago."
"Did you have big dreams? Want to be something certain?" Barret asked.
Adam laughed. "I wanted to be an Olympic skier, but I was never good enough. I also learned quickly that whatever job I did would be one where I didn't have to touch people or things a lot. Even with gloves on it can be hard. Like the other day when Mrs. Anderson hugged me without warning, I was bombarded with visions until I could take a step back."
"Even with the gloves on?" Barret glanced over at him.
"I was wearing short sleeves that day. When she grabbed me, she had her hands on my arms. It doesn't take much."
"So, this isn't something that just goes through your hands? It's any part of your body?" Barret was surprised by this.
"Yep, any contact to my skin. You could touch my hair, and I wouldn't get anything, but if you touched my scalp, I'd see something. I've learned to cut my own hair since it's too complicated to go into a barber and get it done. They always touch my neck or scalp."
"What about dating?" Barret asked, then shook his head. "Sorry, that's personal."
"No, it's okay. It's a logical question. I don't date. I tried years ago, but every time we'd touch, they'd ask me what visions I got of them. Curious or paranoid, I'm not sure, but it's hard to deal with someone always worrying about what you'll see. What secrets you might find out about them. In Denver, I'd go out to the clubs sometimes and hook up with someone for a night. I wouldn't tell them about what I could do, and I'd just deal with the visions. But dating is hard. I have to be honest with the person about my ability and most can't handle it."
"That really sucks." Barret meant that. He couldn't imagine what Adam went through just to experience intimacy.
"It does, but I'm used to it." Adam stared out the window as they got on the main road.
Barret drove the rest of the way to Ally's Restaurant in silence as he thought about what Adam had said. He tried to imagine what Adam would see if they were to touch. Did he have secrets he wouldn't want Adam to see? Things he never wanted another person to know? He didn't think so. Sure, there were times in his life that he would rather forget. Regrets and things he was ashamed of, but nothing was so bad that he would be devastated if someone knew. Still, it would be strange, and he'd want to know what Adam saw. What parts of his life forced their way up front and center for Adam to view.
"Looks like everyone had the same idea," Adam said as they turned into a very full parking lot at Ally's.
"Hopefully, we can get a seat." Barret parked in one of the last remaining open parking spaces. "I've been craving Ally's chicken fried steak all day."
"Her meatloaf for me." Adam laughed. "But the chicken friend steak is my second favorite. I'm more here for the rolls."
"Mmm, those garlic and butter rolls are the best. I'm guilty of dropping by and getting a to-go order of them sometimes just to take home."
"Me too. I bet she makes more off the rolls than she does the actual meals." Adam got out of the car.
Barret walked over to meet him. "If we can't get a seat, we'll order it to go and head over to the park and eat."
"That works for me."
They walked inside and Barret knew right away that they'd have to wait for a seat. There were already several families in the waiting area. "Want to wait or order and go?"
"Let's order and go to the park." Adam glanced around. "We'll be here forever if we don't."
It took twenty minutes, but soon they had their orders and were back in the car. The park wasn't far, so the quick drive there took no time. They grabbed the food and headed to the nearest picnic table.
"So tell me more about your store. I know you do readings, but what's all that other stuff you have for sale?" Barret asked as they dug into the food.
"I knew readings wouldn't be enough of a draw, so I decided to bring in some other things that fit the new age, metaphysical world. I have essential oils, which are used for healing and relaxation. I have tarot cards, books, and a few crystals. The jewelry is a huge draw and I sell a lot of it. I have hats and shirts with the store's name on them which actually do very well. I play around with my inventory and see what works. Jacey is great about finding new ideas to try. I swear if the kid ever goes off to college or finds another job, I'll be screwed."
"Jacey is a great kid, though I guess he's not really a kid anymore. Just hard to think of him as an adult now. His whole family are good people. I went to school with several of the older ones. Does he have plans for college?"
"One day he does, the next he doesn't know what he wants to do. I get it. It's hard knowing at that age what's going to keep you happy for the rest of your life. I've suggested he get a business degree. Time will tell what he does, but I'm happy keeping him around as long as he'll stay. He knows me and what I need. If I have a bad reaction after reading, he can handle it."
