Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon by Polly Iyer Read Free Book Online

drugs and alcohol. Got picked up a few times. Then around 1993, he disappeared from sight until seven years ago when he showed up here as the driving force behind Sunrise Mission.”
    The missing block of time must be why Slater avoided her touch. What was he afraid she’d see? “What would make a divinity student drop out and turn into a drug-addicted drunk?”
    Lucier’s face scrunched as if in deep thought. “I couldn’t find anything else that suggested the hell he said he experienced. Whatever it was must have happened during that ten-year period.
    “The only complaint against him is from the Highsmith woman, and she recanted when he produced the papers she signed. Perfectly legal.
    “I wonder why she turned on him.”
    “Maybe they had something going, and after he got the money he dumped her,” Lucier said.
    Or maybe it was something else . “Have you talked to her?”
    “She teaches psychology at LSU. I’m seeing her tomorrow between classes at ten.”

Chapter Ten
    The Devil’s Room

    D r. Jeanine Highsmith was not what Lucier expected. Tall, elegantly dressed, and attractive, she didn’t appear to be the type easily conned into parting with her hard-earned money by some smooth-talking swindler.
    “Thank you for seeing me, Dr. Highsmith,” Lucier said.
    She directed him to a chair in front of her desk. “What’s this about, Lieutenant? I thought everything concerning the Sunrise Mission was settled. I had no case; I withdrew my complaint.”
    “We’re investigating the disappearance of the Seaver baby. Maybe you read about it. ”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “There’s a person of interest who’s spent time at the Mission , trading a bed in exchange for doing odd jobs.”
    A curious expression flashed across her face. “You don’t think Edward had anything to do with that, do you?”
    “No, but you’re one of the volunteers who spent time there other than the few employees and the women seeking refuge. We’ve questioned all of them with little success. None of them paid this man any attention. I ’d hoped you might remember him, even chatted with him . Any information you could give us is more than we have now. ”
    Highsmith examined the photo of Deems, and Lucier watched her expression.
    “The only person I recall who even resembled this picture didn’t have a beard. This man looks , I don’t know, scruffier and darker.”
    “He change d his appearance.”
    “It could be him. I don’t know. I wouldn’t want you to depend on my identification.”
    “Without invading your privacy, why did you bring suit against Edward Slater after willingly donating money?”
    Highsmith leaned back in her chair, eyes on Lucier. She was obviously weighing whether to answer his question, and if so, deciding if she’d tell the truth.
    “Let’s just say the action stemmed from the weakness in a woman’s vanity. I mistook Edward’s interest in me as more than that of a benefactor. It wasn’t. I’m embarrassed to say my pride was hurt, so I retaliated where it hurt him the most ― in his pocketbook. I’m not proud of what I did, Lieutenant. I offered to pay his court costs, but he declined.”
    Highsmith’s answer took Lucier by surprise. “Thank you for your honesty. I’m sure you’re not the only one to have been deceived.”
    She shook her head slowly. “You don’t understand. Edward never deceived me. It was I who misinterpreted his feelings. Oh, there’s something mysterious about him to be sure, but he never made an improper advance or gave me reason to think we enjoyed anything more than friendship. He might be gay, but he seemed rather, how shall I say, more asexual.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m not an unattractive woman, Lieutenant. That may sound immodest, but one knows into which category one falls. You, I’m guessing, couldn’t help know ing you’re a good-looking, sensual man. You carry that appeal in the same way you carry your badge ―w ith confidence. I have no