In Search of the Dove by REBECCA YORK Read Free Book Online

to that place before, of that she was absolutely certain. But she felt as if she were there now. And she was totally caught up in the experience. Her fingers tightened around the napkin as if trying to squeeze its secrets from it.
    In her mental picture, her eyes scanned around the room and its rather unkempt patrons, looking for some clue to the bar’s location. The glass window at the front was grimy, but she could make out red letters painted on the outside of the panes. From her vantage point inside the bar, Jessica could read four letters: H-A-R-L. The rest were blocked by the wooden booths.
    For a moment longer she strained to complete the name. But as she did, the image began to waver. Though she tried to hold it together, it was like trying to put substance to mist. The picture disintegrated, and she was left blinking and a bit disoriented.
    Her first feeling was of relief that she was back in control. It was replaced by disappointment at not being able to complete the task.
    Then she reflected with a sense of wonder on what she’d done. She’d actually taken herself mentally to a place where Aubrey had been by holding an object that had been there with him.
    The realization brought a mixture of emotions. She had used the powers she’d repressed for so long. Or had they used her?
    She shivered. Once she’d taken the napkin in her hand, she’d been helpless to control her reaction. It was almost as if some power outside herself was exerting an influence she couldn’t block. But it had stopped short of letting her find out exactly where Aubrey had been. Well, there were no rules that said she had to solve this problem completely with psychic powers. Maybe if she got out the phone book and went down the list of bars, she could fill in the rest of the name.
    As it turned out, there were only two establishments whose names began with that letter combination. One was an uptown watering place called Harlow’s. The other was a bar called Harley’s Pub. Near the docks, it was far and away the more likely choice.
    After writing down the address, Jessica was about to grab her purse and open the front door when she happened to glance down at her streaked shirt. She was still wearing the “charwoman” outfit Simone had remarked upon. While she suspected that the clientele at Harley’s wouldn’t notice, she’d feel more confident if she were cleaned up a bit.
    Half an hour later, wearing a blue denim skirt and a yellow camp shirt, she glanced at her watch. Lunch had been a carton of blueberry yogurt and it was now almost dinnertime. Getting a bite to eat at the pub would give her an excuse for hanging around.
    Down on Jefferson Boulevard she hailed a taxi.
    “Lady, it’ll be dark soon. You sure you want to go to that part of town alone?” the cabbie questioned.
    “Well, at least drive me by this address, and I’ll let you know if I want to get out.”
    The man gave her a strange look and shrugged. “It’s your nickel, lady.”
    Fifteen minutes later they pulled up across the street from Harley’s Pub. Jessica peered out the window of the cab. There weren’t a lot of people on the streets, but up the block she could see several men gathered beside a lamppost drinking from paper bags. Not the best neighborhood, she thought.
    “Want me to wait for you?” the cabbie asked as she fumbled in her purse for money.
    The offer made her feel more confident. “Please. But I may not be right back.”
    “Take your time. The meter’s running. Just give me ten dollars on account.”
    After paying the man, Jessica stepped out on the paper-littered street. Was this really a good idea? But the more steps she took toward the bar, the more certain she was that this was where she had seen Aubrey in her vision.
    Glancing back over her shoulder, she was reassured to see that the cab driver had slumped down in the seat and leaned his head back as if he were prepared to wait indefinitely.
    Once inside the bar, Jessica stood for a