Immortal Obsession by Denise K. Rago Read Free Book Online Page B

When he smiled, his face lit up. What harm could come of one date?
    “I’m here, Thomas,” she whispered into the phone.
    “There’s a dance club over on First Avenue and 54th called Zero Hour. Why not meet me there tomorrow night for a drink. Say eleven? I happen to have the night off.”
    Silence.
    “I’ll tell you what. I’ll be there if you decide to come. Otherwise, no hard feelings and I’ll see you next week.”
    “Thanks, Thomas. I’ll think about it.”
    “Have a good weekend.”
    Thomas had a habit of never saying good-bye when they spoke. She stood at the doors of the Central Park precinct, not sure whether coming here had been a good idea. Just go home, Amanda. Watch a movie and go out with Thomas tomorrow night. Try to have a normal life.
    With her hand on the door of the historic building, she turned to go home and then thought better of it.
    I have to know the truth.

    “Can I help you?” Quipped a burly police office seated at a counter behind a Plexi-glass window.
    “Yes, Detective Ross, please.”
    “Is he expecting you?” Officer Rizzo asked, getting up. Amanda stared into steely blue eyes surrounded by a fleshy face.
    “He was handling the investigation of my brother’s murder last July.”
    “Lady, we got lots of murders here. What’s the name?” “Perretti. Amanda Perretti. My brother’s name was Ryan.” Without being asked, she held up her picture ID from the Met.
    She watched him pick up a black phone. She checked her watch: seven o’clock on a Friday night. It was doubtful he was in, but something had compelled her to stop by.
    “Come on in.” The glass door clicked open and Amanda entered the busy front desk area of the station. “Follow me.”
    She followed him down a narrow, dimly lit hallway, past a row of empty desks. He stopped at the last door on the right. Will he remember me? she wondered, taking a deep breath. Though they had spoken on the phone numerous times, she had met Ross only twice. Once when he questioned her in the hospital, and once in a coffee shop near her apartment. Rizzo knocked gently and opened the door for her. She slipped through the door into the office. The first thing that struck her was the darkness. Ross was sitting at his desk, feet up, sprinkled in long shadows cast from the desk lamp. She followed his legs down to his feet toward the shadows. Someone else is here , she sensed, shutting the door behind her. He’s not alone.
    “Ms. Perretti—” He swung his legs off the desk, coming towards her. He looked comfortable in a pair of black jeans, and a T-shirt His hair was short and gelled. He looked less like a police officer and more like a GQ model. He came around the desk and extended his hand as if he were trying to prevent her from coming any farther into the room.
    “Hi, Detective. I wasn’t sure if you would remember me.” She shook his hand. “I took a chance you might be in.” She scanned the room, thinking it odd that he would sit in almost total darkness. It was such a contrast to the outer precinct, with its glaring fluorescent lights. She walked slowly toward him, eyeing the chair right in front of his desk.
    “If this is a bad time, I can come back. I just got off work and I was wondering if there was anything new with my brother Ryan’s murder …”
    Something caught her eye as the shadows parted, as if releasing him reluctantly. He was taller than she remembered, probably 6’4” and reed thin, with dark, piercing eyes. Amanda clutched her purse as if the reality of his presence would knock her over. His wavy blonde hair flowed to his waist over a dark leather coat.
    “Hello.” He nodded, his deep voice holding her spellbound.
    Amanda felt the floor shift and her body flush as she stared into his bottomless eyes. Thoughts filled her head, random, disconnected images of Paris, the French Revolution and lots of blood.
    “Ms. Perretti, this is Christian.”
    “Hi.” She thought she replied then realized she was