Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
I relaxed and nodded. “Good question. I’ve tried to intervene at times, but I honestly don’t know if it helps. I mean… sometimes it does, but not always.”
“Can you give me an example?”
“Uh… sure.” I paused to think. Why was he questioning me? It felt like I was being interviewed all over again. “Last week, there was this guy at my lawyer’s office. On my way in, I dropped my notebook, and he picked it up. When he handed it to me, his fingers brushed my hand, and I saw him trip and fall over a step on the sidewalk outside. After thanking him, I told him to be careful outside on the steps. He gave me a weird look and walked away.”
My lips twisted. “So, I sort of followed him, to see if it would happen, and… it didn’t turn out the way I thought.”
“Why not?”
“Because he started down the steps and glanced back to see me watching him and…” I heaved out a breath. “That’s when he fell.”
Stone snorted and shook his head. “So, you made him fall.”
My eyes widened. “No, I didn’t! He might have glanced back and fallen anyway. Even if I hadn’t been watching. If he would have just paid attention to the steps like I told him to, he would have been fine.”
Vanetti nodded. “I see what you mean, but would he have fallen if he hadn’t interacted with you in the first place?”
“Maybe? I don’t know.” Ugh.
Stone’s eyes sparkled. “So maybe things happen to people because Serenity’s involved.”
Was he teasing me? I glared at him. “Come on, you’re making it too black and white. Sure, there’s cause and effect, but don’t forget that most of these things are based on our choices. That guy chose to look back instead of paying attention to the steps. I didn’t make him look at me.”
“True.” Stone’s lips twisted. “But what about this? Would he have fallen if he hadn’t picked up your notes in the first place?”
I glanced at the ceiling before meeting his gaze. “Who knows? It could have happened anyway. And since I saw a vision of him falling, I was able to warn him.” I shook my head. “Of course, it didn’t change anything. But it could have.”
Vanetti shook his head, and his lips quirked up. “That’s true, but don’t underestimate yourself. I think if someone told me I was going to be stabbed in the back, I’d take it seriously. Even if I didn’t believe them, I’d still be extra cautious.” He glanced at Stone and narrowed his eyes.
“I’m taking this seriously.” Stone raised his eyebrows. “But—” He turned to me. “This is still pretty new to me… and to you.”
My stomach plunged. Was he throwing me under the bus? Before Vanetti could fire me, I turned to him. “You know how good I am. I figured out where your document disappeared to, right? And everyone has to start somewhere.” I glared at Stone. Why was he doing this?
Vanetti met my gaze, eyebrows quirking. “Yes, you did.” He glanced between me and Stone. “When you say ‘new to this,’ do you mean to being a PI or a psychic?”
Oh, hell. “You know I’m a fairly new PI.”
He nodded. “And how new are you at being a psychic?”
I blew out a breath. “About a year.”
“I see.” Vanetti narrowed his eyes at me. “And would you mind telling me how your powers came to be?”
I didn’t have to explain, but I wanted both Vanetti and Stone to trust me, so I went ahead with the story. “Sure. I was in a car accident. It happened after that. I don’t know exactly what triggered this psychic ability, but I think it’s because I died while they were trying to stabilize me. Obviously, they brought me back, and now I have psychometry.”
I glanced at Stone. Had he told Vanetti about Brandon leaving me over that, too? I shrugged. “It was weird at first, but now I’m trying to use it to help people.”
“Remarkable.” Vanetti nodded. “So, you never had a sixth sense about things like that before the accident?”
“You mean like… premonitions?” He nodded, and I shook my head. “No. I mean… I guess I’ve always been intuitive, but since I married a guy who turned out to be a total jerk, maybe I’m just kidding myself.”
“So the reason you became a PI was because of your new psychic abilities?”
I cleared my throat, glancing at Stone. “Well… not really. I mean… it was something I was already working on, and gaining this ability kind of sealed the deal… if you know what I mean.” I’d told Stone about my childhood dream and my passion for detective books, but that was meant only for him. I wasn’t about to tell Vanetti.
Vanetti’s lips tilted up. “Excellent. I like your attitude. It takes initiative and courage to start your own business, and I applaud you for it, especially since you’ve helped me out already.”