Haunted Destiny by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page B

saint.
    When he moved through the central area again, even the casino was quiet. The Picture Gallery was closed for the night.
    The disco was silent, as was the piano bar.
    Except that the piano bar wasn’t empty; Alexi Cromwell was there.
    And she wasn’t alone.
    Jude went completely still, staring at the young woman—and the young man who sat beside her. He wasn’t in any kind of makeup. His face was boyish, his hair medium length, rakishly tousled. He was talking to Alexi, being very earnest.
    He had the same body shape and size as the man he and Crow had witnessed earlier, the man they’d chased, and he was wearing the same hooded sweatshirt and jeans.
    Jude made his move, striding down the length of hallway between them, half running by the time he neared the piano.
    But he wasn’t quick enough. The man at the piano saw him and leaped up—and in a flash he was gone, racing up the steps to the deck above.
    Jude glanced at Alexi Cromwell. She watched him with a confused frown. He shook his head as he looked at her, then took off after the man on the stairs. She followed him, calling out, “Mr. McCoy, wait! Please wait!” She was obviously trying not to shout or attract any attention—except, of course, his.
    He ignored her, intent on his quarry. But the man was gone by the time he reached the next deck. He hurried halfway down the row of shops there and then ran over to the cabin hallways on either side, first one and then the other.
    She kept following him. He came back through the center of the deck with such speed that he plowed right into her.
    â€œMs. Cromwell!” he snapped, catching her by the shoulders. “Get out of my way!”
    â€œBut...”
    â€œI have to find that man!”
    She grasped his shirt as he held her shoulders, trying to move her aside.
    â€œWait! You mean you saw him?”
    â€œOf course I saw him. Will you please move!”
    â€œI can move, but you won’t find him if he doesn’t want to be found.”
    He stopped, brows knitting furiously as he stared down at her.
    â€œAre you his accomplice?”
    â€œHis accomplice in what?”
    â€œYou’re hiding him,” he accused her.
    â€œNo!”
    â€œThen what is it?”
    She drew in a deep breath, staring up at him, searching his eyes.
    â€œHe’s...he’s not—alive,” she said.
    He knew his jaw must have fallen open.
    â€œ What? Look, it’s imperative that I find him. You don’t understand what’s at stake.”
    â€œNo! You don’t,” she said softly. “I realize it sounds crazy, but—”
    â€œVery crazy. You know him? Get him for me. Now,” Jude insisted, determined to be stern. He was astounded that this young and charming woman was apparently involved or under the spell of the man who’d been gaping at the church where the last victim was found—and led them to the ship.
    â€œI can’t!”
    Her voice had risen with exasperation.
    A security guard came hurrying down the stairs from whatever rounds he’d been on. He was wearing just a shirt and tie, but Jude knew security when he saw it.
    â€œIs there a problem? Alexi, you okay?” the man asked, eyeing Jude as if he was the worst pervert in the world.
    â€œI’m fine, Johnny, absolutely fine!” she said, running her hands down Jude’s chest with a gesture of affection. “Johnny, this man is my friend,” she told the guard, and added softly, “Upper echelon, Celtic American!”
    â€œOh?” The man seemed skeptical. Jude had been ready to whip out his manufactured credentials, but Alexi was continuing as if she’d bought his story about being a Celtic American official. Even if she didn’t really believe it...
    â€œI’m so sorry we disturbed you. We haven’t seen each other in a while and I got carried away talking about a movie I saw while I was off!” she said.
    Jude