The First Prophet by Kay Hooper Read Free Book Online Page A

tell me that.” Josh Long, world-renowned financier, philanthropist,
     and a dozen other things that made him very famous indeed, reached into his casual
     jacket and pulled out a large manila envelope. “This is a verbatim copy of the police
     report concerning Sarah Gallagher’s house fire, including all notes made at the scene
     by the investigating officer. Also a copy of the fire marshal’s report.”
    “What, you didn’t get a fingerprint and ID of the culprit as well?” Brodie asked dryly.
    “You’ll have to forgive me—there was so little time.”
    Brodie let out a brief laugh, honestly amused, as he accepted the envelope. “Yeah,
     sorry about that. Butwe’re in a hurry, as usual. As I told you, we’ve lost track of Gallagher. She left
     the ruins of her house after the fire yesterday with a man—”
    “Tucker Mackenzie.”
    After a moment of silence, Brodie said thoughtfully, “The novelist?”
    “According to my source inside the police department, yes. The investigating officer
     had no idea who he was at the time; he’s apparently no reader and Miss Gallagher introduced
     Mackenzie only as a friend.”
    “And is he one?”
    Josh shrugged. “Hers? No evidence they’d met before Wednesday. Ours? Your guess is
     as good as mine. We managed to scare up a bit of data on Mackenzie; it’s in the envelope
     with the rest. Based on that, I’d have to say he looks like a possible ally, but there’s
     no way to know that for sure. In going to her he obviously has some agenda of his
     own, though what that might be I couldn’t find out. In any case, he appears to have
     elected himself her watchdog, at least for the moment.”
    “He’s still with her?”
    “He was as of midnight tonight. In the apartment above the antiques shop owned by
     Gallagher and her partner.”
    Brodie didn’t ask the address, knowing that it would be included in the envelope of
     information. He wasn’t someone who trusted easily, but he had learned to trust in
     the man beside him—and in his information-gathering capabilities. He had also learned
     to respect the strength and fighting instincts apparent in the visitor’s next restless
     words.
    “I can take a more public role, you know. Make some noise. Get more people on our
     side. Be more of a help to you. Just providing information and equipment when you
     need it is nothing at all.”
    “You do more than enough.”
    “It doesn’t feel that way.”
    Brodie tucked the envelope away inside his jacket and half turned to look at the other
     man, who was, in the darkness, virtually invisible to anyone who didn’t have eyes
     like a cat. Brodie did.
    “Josh, we don’t have many advantages in this thing. They’re bigger than we are, faster
     to react to a situation. They’re better organized and they may even be smarter than
     we are. They’re sure as hell more ruthless. So we need every edge we can get. Being
     able to call on you for assistance and information has been invaluable, so never think
     you aren’t helping.”
    After a moment, Josh sighed and settled his shoulders in the gesture of a man resigned.
     “I don’t much care for fighting in the dark, John.”
    “We need you in the dark. We need someone with your resources, your power, and your
     abilities—and we need you hidden in the dark, where they can’t see you.”
    “I know the value of an ace in the hole. But I don’t have to like it.”
    “We’re grateful, Josh. We’re all grateful.”
    Josh turned away the gratitude with a slight gesture, then fished inside his jacket
     for a cigarette and lighter. “Don’t worry about anybody seeing this,” he said absently
     as the lighter’s flame illuminated his lean, aristocraticfeatures and lent his rather hard eyes a fierce glitter. “Zach is watching.”
    “I thought he might be,” Brodie said gently.
    A faint grin was sent his way before Josh snapped the lighter shut and plunged them
     back into darkness. “
My
watchdog. Are you