Cheat (Karma Inc. Book 1) by Gillian Zane Read Free Book Online Page A

want to get home, Bish, I’m tired,” Angela whined.
    “I’m not letting the new girl walk home at this time of night. My mom taught me to be a gentleman.” He smiled at me and his girlfriend’s scowl deepened.
    “Gentleman, sure, that’s it,” she scoffed.
    “Enough, Angela,” he silenced her with a glare and she pursed her lips and breathed out a slow breath. Normally this would be the time I would back down, I could take a hint. But, I needed to get close to Bishop. I wasn’t going to back down.
    “Thanks, Bishop,” I said with a grateful smile, pretending like I was clueless about his girlfriend’s attitude.
    Bishop locked up the bar and I followed the couple to a well-worn SUV parked at the curb. Bishop got behind the wheel and I gave him the address to the closest crossover.
    It was strange how the apartment doors worked. They could be anywhere, and they all crossed over into the complex’s lobby. It was like folding a piece of paper and poking a hole through it. When you spread out the paper the hole was in different points throughout the paper, but when you folded them back they all lined up. Our complex was like that and it could be accessed at numerous points throughout the city. The closest point was only a few blocks away. We made the trip in a few short minutes.
    “You live here?” Bishop asked incredulously as we pulled up in front of a posh condominium complex. I realized it was a little over my pay grade.
    “Staying with a friend until I get my own place,” I said to cover up the luxury of the place.
    “Nice,” Angela said leaning over and looking up at the twenty story, modern monstrosity. "Your friend's got a lot of money? Maybe you should invite us up, love to see what it looks like inside."
    "Uh, I'm sure they're sleeping. She’s married. And I'm crashing on the sofa, maybe next time," I stammered. "Thanks for the ride." I scrambled over the seat and out onto the sidewalk before they could ask more questions, or insist on coming up.
    “You did good tonight, Cassidy,” Bishop said with a grin and I tried to return his friendly smile, but it was a little strained thinking about the two hundred sitting in my purse that would probably have been a lot more if he hadn’t been skimming. I had worked my ass off and he got half of my take, I should get half of his.
    “Thanks, Bishop. Nice meeting you, Angela.” I nodded and turned toward the complex. When I put my hand on the door I felt the world around me shimmer. It knew it was me, it knew where I was supposed to be.
    I stepped into the lobby of the condo complex and noticed a door that was brighter and drew my attention. It should have been access to the stairs, but when I opened the door I was in my own complex.
    I went from dim marble to bright daylight. Birds were chirping and it was the middle of summer. The exact opposite of what was happening in the living world. I should be disoriented, but I felt rejuvenated the moment I stepped back into Afterlife. Irony. I felt more alive in the world of the dead.
    “Cassie! Congrats on your solo case.” A curvy brunette in a skimpy bikini came bounding my way. Fallon. She was a cute thing with the beautiful bronze skin of Latin heritage. She had been nice to me since I came to the complex. She was always helpful and quick to share some tips, along with gossip. It was obvious she was intent on befriending me, which I was not opposed to. Her bubbly personality and quick wit were winning me over.
    “Thanks, Fallon.”
    “Tyler is grilling the fish he caught today. He actually got to go fishing on a job. Can you believe that? Something about a charter guy breaking into fishing camps and renting them.”
    “No thanks, Fallon. It sounds yummy.” It didn’t, I wasn’t a huge fan of fish. “But, I’ve been working a crowded bar all night; I think I need some downtime.”
    “Alright, Cassie, no biggie.” She did a squinty smile that made her seem even more likable and bounded off in the