Seeing Love: Saints Protection & Investigations by Maryann Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

please.”
    “No, no, thank you,” Bart assured Mrs. Dukakas. “I’ll just take some coffee if it’s not too much trouble.”
    The older woman patted his arm, saying, “You’re a good man to help us. Have a seat and I’ll take care of you.”
    He watched her walk out of the room before sitting down, facing Ivan. The haggard look on Ivan’s face suddenly halted Bart’s words. He wanted to demand that Krustas admit Faith was a phony, but the words choked in his throat.
    Ivan spoke after a moment of watching Bart silently struggle. “You’re a man on a mission this afternoon but, for some reason, you’re hesitating to say what’s on your mind.” He set his fork down on his plate, pushing it back before pinning Bart with a stare. “My grandson is missing and I don’t have time to beat around the bush…or have someone else do so.”
    Duly chastised, Bart nodded. “I want to understand what you hope to gain from employing Ms. Romani. Do you know her? Did she approach you? What did she promise you? Did she talk about finding Erik using some kind of gift of sight?”
    The moment was broken as Mrs. Dukakas brought in more coffee. Ivan glanced up at his housekeeper and said, “Mr. Taggart is wondering about Faith. I’m not sure he has any.”
    Bart looked between the two, seeing a fleeting smile at the inside joke that passed between them. Mrs. Dukakas left the room and Bart looked back for an explanation from Ivan.
    “Bart, I knew Ms. Romani’s grandmother. She and I grew up near each other. We were from the same heritage. We may claim Russia as our ancestor’s country but our heritage is of Russian gypsies. You are a man who looks for truth in facts. We appreciate there are many truths found in faith.”
    “I do have faith, Ivan,” he countered. “Faith in family, faith in God.”
    “Faith in love?” Ivan asked.
    “Yes,” Bart answered without hesitation. He looked past Ivan’s shoulder, lost in thoughts of his grandfather. Drawing himself up, he shared, “My grandfather taught me to have faith in family, God, and yes, in love. I’ve never found it myself, but I saw it every day with him and my grandmother and between my parents. But when I was a SEAL on a mission or investigating crimes, I needed facts. Substantial evidence. Not some mumbo jumbo.”
    Ivan leaned back in his chair, carefully considering the young man in front of him. “There’s a world of difference between the swindler Cecil Nastelli, who your grandmother dealt with last summer, and Faith Romani.”
    “Oh, yeah? What’s the difference?”
    Ivan stood, picked up his coffee, and motioned for Bart to follow him. The two men made their way to the comfortable study, sitting back down in easy chairs.
    “For years, there have been those, particularly women, who have what can be called second sight. Yes, many have exploited it, calling themselves psychic and charging money for their gift. Others use it cautiously. For good.”
    “And you think that’s what Ms. Romani is doing? Hell, Ivan, be reasonable. She goes to crime scenes, gathers clues, and then claims to have seen the images she draws.”
    “Her grandmother had the gift. It skips a generation and Faith has it also.” Ivan watched the look of disbelief mixed with disgust cross Bart’s face. “But, regardless of your opinions, I want Ms. Romani on the case. If you do not think you can accommodate, then I’ll be forced to negotiate with your boss for another investigator.”
    Bart stiffened at the insinuation he could not do his job. “That won’t be necessary,” he stated forcefully.
    Just then, the housekeeper walked to the doorway. “Ms. Romani is here.”
    “Send her in and call for Anton as well.”
    Bart was not happy, but as he stood to greet Faith when she appeared in the hall, Ivan leaned over, whispering, “And for the record, she did not contact me. I contacted her. And she refuses any money I have offered.”
    Bart jerked his head around but did not have a