Of Saints and Shadows (1994) Read Online Free

First things first, I guess. Would you mind if I had a look around Janet’s room? It might give us a clue.”
    “No problem,” she answered, getting up again.
    “It’s the back room,” she added, and Peler got up to follow her.
    The room was spartan, but elegant. One bureau, two night tables, each adorned by a lamp, and a wicker chair in the corner. A large brass bed, a small TV set, a good-sized throw rug on the floor. A floral print hung over the bed. Janet Harris’s only real vice seemed to be clothes. She had a huge walk-in closet filled with them.
    “She’s a snappy dresser, your Janet?” he asked.
    “You’ve never met her?” Meaghan seemed surprised.
    “Not actually, no. Her dad talks about her all the time, though.”
    “Frank’s a sweetheart. Right now I’m almost more worried about him than about Jan.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “I don’t know. I guess it’s just wishful thinking, but I have this feeling she’s okay.” She paused. “So, how long have you known Frank?”
    “Almost ten years. Since I stopped some kids from breaking into his restaurant. After that he gave me the run of the place when I needed to take clients out.”
    Meaghan sal down on the bed, one leg drawn up under her, and hugged herself light against the chilly room as Peter glanced around.
    “I’m surprised I’ve never met you.”
    “It’s not too surprising actually. I only go in there once in a while, and even then it’s very late. I always work at night, that’s when the bad guys come out.”
    “And you’re a good guy, eh?” she asked with a pleasant laugh.
    “Yes, ma’am,” he returned in a cowboy drawl. “An official member of the Fraternal Order of the White Hats . . . at least most of the time. I’ve been considered a bad guy once or twice, but then again, who hasn’t?”
    Her smile was warm, and then she was serious again. “I suppose we ought to get down to business?”
    “Well, unless you intend to stay up all night.”
    “Would you like me to leave the room, let you concentrate?”
    “Actually, if you don’t mind, it’s better if you stay here. You’ll be able to help me find things.”
    “You know something, I must have really been asleep when I answered the door. I never even asked to see your ID.”
    Peter started to reach for his wallet.
    “No, Mr. Octavian.” She was smiling again. “Don’t bother now. I guess if you had wanted to have your way with me, you’d have made your move already.”
    She was flirting, but he figured that was healthy right about now. “Don’t be so sure about that. And call me Peter, okay?”
    She shook her head yes as he pulled out his wallet and tossed it to her.
    “Just to make it official. Don’t make fun of the picture.”
    “Come on,” she said, after pulling it out. “This isn’t half as bad as the picture on my license.”
    “Look at my driver’s license,” he said as he continued his search of the closet.
    “Ugh. Now that’s bad!”
    He stood up and put his hands on his hips in mock consternation. “Give it here, you. I told you not to make fun of the picture.”
    She tossed it back to him and sat for another moment as he began going through the left nightstand.
    “I need something hot. Would you like some coffee?”
    “Actually, tea would be great if you have it.”
    “Oh, tea sounds great. I’ve been drinking too much coffee anyway.”
    She got up to fix the tea and turned around when she heard a sharp buzzing sound. Peter was holding up a white plastic vibrator with a glowing tip, which he had just pulled out of the drawer next to Janet’s bed.
    “Well,” Meaghan said with a laugh, covering her mouth. “If she did run away, she probably isn’t alone.”
    Peter laughed and dropped the thing back in the drawer, and Meaghan went to the kitchen to put some water on. He continued his search, which had so far proven fruitless, moving to the night table on the opposite side, but his mind was elsewhere—on Meaghan Gallagher. An