Pretty Witches All in a Row by Lisa Olsen Read Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t have been booked, no pictures, no prints, nothing more than a report of the incident Brady found. 
    “Even better, she wasn’t alone at the time.  Also reported to be at the scene in the buff was Meiliyn Xiang, Zoe Phillips, Eleanor Wentworth, Seraphine Ryan and a Rose Spencer.” 
    If he’d been drinking at the time it would have sprayed all over his desk; instead Nick nearly choked on the bite of sandwich he’d been eating.  “Did you say Seraphine Ryan?” he managed to get out after sucking in a deep breath.
    “Yeah, why?  Do you know her?”
    “I talked to her this morning.  She’s the VP of marketing over at Naturelle Organics; Skye Mackenzie worked in her department.  The thought of her au naturale is definitely worth spending a few moments on,” he sighed, leaning back in his chair. 
    “A real looker, huh?” Brady grinned back.
    “And then some, she is one put together lady.” 
    “So she was friends with our vic?  Got her the job there?” Park asked and a pensive look came over Nick’s face.
    “Well… no, she said she didn’t really know her all that well…”
    “She must know her at least a little bit if they share some of the same friends.” 
    It cemented the notion that Sera had been holding back, downplaying her relationship with Skye for some reason.  Definitely something else to ask Annaliese about.  Was he manufacturing reasons to see the pretty witch again?  Nick chose to ignore that question for the time being, inhaling his sandwich before he gathered up the pictures to bring with him.
    * * *
    This time the store was open and the music was playing at a more respectable sound level; instrumental guitar music he’d never heard before.   He liked the Dylan better…
    There were a few customers in the shop now who paid him no mind, more interested in their own activities.  Feminine laughter drifted from the back of the shop and Nick fancied he could hear Annaliese’s voice among them, leading him towards the rear.  He had just reached the counter when she appeared, a tray of clean coffee mugs in her hands.  The comfy pajamas were gone, replaced by a pair of slim fitting blue jeans and a green peasant style blouse that made her agate eyes seem all that much brighter.  Her dark hair still fell loose and tousled, and if she was wearing makeup, it was soft and natural.  He noted with some amusement that her feet remained bare. 
    “Detective,” she nodded with a pleasant smile, setting down the tray.
    “It's Sergeant, actually,” Nick corrected her, leaning casually against the counter. 
    “Does that matter?”  Her brows rose a fraction. 
    “Yeah, it does actually,” he grinned. 
    A careless shrug was given.  “I don't like labels.” 
    “Oh I do, they make it so simple to classify people with.  You however... I'm having trouble with.  What do I call you?”  He propped his elbows on the counter, resting his face in one hand as he studied her with mock intensity. 
    The pose had its desired effect and she laughed softly.  “Is there something wrong with Miss Cross?”
    Nick made a face, “that sounds so formal, I was hoping we were past that.”
    “Past that?  We just met this morning.”
    “Yes, but now we’re old friends.” 
    “Are you hitting on me?”  Her head canted to one side as she stared back at him, indignance warring with amusement in her tone.
    Not the tone he was going for, perhaps he was losing his indefinable charm?  “I wouldn't call it hitting, no… more of a light pat.” 
    Amusement won out at his shift in expression.  “I would think you'd be a little worried about the consequences of your actions.”  She raised a single brow, but there was a teasing lilt to her voice. 
    “Why, are you gonna turn me into a toad?”  He found his smile again as she teased him back. 
    “Naw,” she shook her head, brown locks dancing.  “Then I'd have to kiss you to turn you back when your lackeys come to find out