Cast An Evil Eye Read Online Free

had a charming smile as he spoke to Courtney. “You look familiar,” he told her. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
    Cammie stiffened at his remark. Where have I heard that line before? This was exactly how Gregory, Jr., alias the phony Francois II, had introduced himself to her at the casino in Monte Carlo many years ago.
    Courtney didn’t notice her mother’s consternation. It was obvious that she was thoroughly enjoying this. “If you do, I don’t know where,” she replied to his remark.
    “Well, if I haven’t met you before, I would sure like to now,” the stranger continued.
    By this time they were walking down the ramp that led into the plane, and Cammie felt that this stranger was taking entirely too many liberties with her daughter.
    So did Jeremy. Something about this man set him on edge.
    Courtney, however, was quite taken with him. Although she was used to lots of attention from men, having been to many countries and having met men from all over the world, even royalty, this one seemed different. He had the manners of royalty, and the charm of a rascal.
    At least, that’s the way it seemed to Cammie. What is he after? she wondered.
    She looked at Zack. Total distrust showed in his body language. His posture was stiff and uncompromising as he walked beside them—a complete giveaway.
    They entered the plane, and the young stranger turned to go into the Business Class section as Courtney and the rest of the party of eight turned left in the direction of First Class.
    He smiled at Courtney. “Well, I guess this is goodbye for now,” he said. “I had to settle for Business Class. First Class was all filled up. Now I see why.”
    Courtney hesitated. “Goodbye—uh—I don’t know your name.”
    “Oh,” he said, “where are my manners? I’m Manfred Kasnov.
    My friends call me Manny.” He paused. “And you? What is your name?”
    Courtney grinned as she put out her hand. “I’m Courtney Dubonnet,” she told him.
    There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Or was it a shrewd pretense? “Of course!” he exclaimed. “That’s where I’ve seen you before! Your picture is in all the newspapers! You wrote that wonderful musical, ‘Déjà Vu,’ that everyone is raving about! I knew you looked familiar!”
    He extended his hand to the others. “And, of course, you’re Hilary Stuart, the composer, and Cameron Dubonnet who sang in your mother’s beautiful musicals! What a talent! Your voice is incredible. I was sorry when I heard that you left the stage. What a loss!”
    Maybe we’re being unfair, thought Cammie. Perhaps he wasn’t pulling a line on Courtney. Our experience with Gregory, Jr. may be coloring our opinion. We really shouldn’t make snap judgments.
    Cautiously, she returned his handshake.
    They proceeded to their seats and fastened their seat belts. Soon the doors to the plane closed and prepared for takeoff. Courtney sat in the seat next to Zack.
    Zack, still skeptical about the young man, breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that was the end of it.
    But once they were airborne, Courtney rose from her seat and headed back to the Business Class section.
    An hour went by, and the flight attendant was already serving afternoon tea with sandwiches and petit fours. Zack turned around and looked toward the curtain that separated First Class from Business.
    No Courtney.
    He sipped his tea, deep in thought.

CHAPTER V  
    C ourtney walked down the aisle toward the Business Class section of the plane. She pushed back the curtains that separated Business from First Class, and stood there, looking around.
    Manny was sitting in the back row, almost hidden from her sight, but she finally spied him and headed in his direction, a wide smile on her face.
    The seat next to him was empty. As she approached him she saw that he was talking to someone on the phone. He spoke in a low tone, and she was surprised to hear him speak in French. That’s strange! she mused. I thought he was Spanish. Then