An Inner Fire (40 page)
Authors: Jacki Delecki
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Paranormal, #Romantic Comedy, #Romantic Suspense, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense, #Psychics
She relaxed. Her gifts had contributed to an honorable purpose.
“Every federal agency is now involved. The feds will be waiting for the Jupiter to dock. With the information Niles left, the FBI will have a case against Ivan Zavragin. Niles’ son, his wife and grandson are all safe in the Witness Protection Plan.”
“It’s rather bittersweet. Niles sacrifices his life for a son and grandson he’ll never know,” she said.
“He chose their lives over his own.”
Grayce didn’t say anything more about Niles’ decision. Davis had a lot of pain that would take time to heal.
“Grayce Walters is now a heroine and friend to the fire department.”
She pressed her lips against his smile. “Davis, don’t forget Mitzi.”
He bent around Grayce to stroke Mitzi. “Sorry girl. I didn’t mean to exclude you. You both did an amazing job.”
“But Davis, you won’t mind when other people find out?”
“Find out what?”
“That I’m not a run-of-the-mill veterinarian.”
“What other people?”
“Your family, friends…”
“Are you kidding? My aunt already loves you, and so will my sisters. They’re warm, loving women, like you. By the way…is this gift of yours…” He twisted her ponytail around his fist and showered light butterfly kisses down her neck. “Genetic?”
“I don’t know… I don’t think so. My sister didn’t have it.”
Was he already thinking of children, their children? “Why do you ask?”
“I thought it might be hard on a son of mine to be logical and sensitive at the same time.”
She pushed on Davis’ massive chest. “Davis, what an outrageously sexist comment. One doesn’t preclude the other. I want you to know that I’m a respected scientist.”
“Honey, I know you’re brilliant.”
“You do?”
Davis fingered the one button on her shirt. “What part are you objecting to? The idea that our son might be logical and sensitive or that a male might be both logical and sensitive?”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. He was serious about the question. “I guess I’m not objecting to either. Any son of yours will be like his dad, logical and sensitive.”
“Sensitive?”
“Yes, you, Mr. Macho. You have to be sensitive or insane to be accepting of me. And I happen to know you’re not insane.”
“I will be insane if you don’t take off that soft shirt that is clinging to you so seductively.”
Who would think yoga clothes were seductive? He pushed her back on the couch. Napoleon did a graceful leap to the floor and sauntered to Mitzi, who lay down with her paws on her head. Both animals seemed resigned to wait for breakfast.
Epilogue
Emily Chow, reporter for television station KZOQ, frantically ran her fingers through her straight hair, trying to restore the edgy look. Her $180 haircut wouldn’t hold up in the torrential rain and wind of the winter storm.
She hated this whole depressing project of exploring homelessness in Seattle. Her editor wanted to showcase the new face of homelessness—returning military veterans. Emily disagreed. The ratings for the evening show proved Emily was correct.
Viewers needed uplifting stories like the story about Dr. Grayce Walters, a veterinarian who communicated with animals. Seattleites loved animals and other-worldliness. Dr. Walters was Emily’s ticket to the anchor spot.
Emily resigned herself to another day of dispiriting stories. She hadn’t gotten this far at KZOQ by going against the flow.
She shook her head, still trying to undo the wind damage. Futile. The VA medical complex, renowned for its treatment of war-scarred vets, served as the backdrop for the interview.
Emily forced a smile and walked over to greet today’s family. Angie Hines, just returned from her latest deployment in Afghanistan, had disappeared after treatment for PTSD at the VA facility on Beacon Hill.
Angie’s mother, dressed in her post office uniform, looked brittle, ready to shatter. The brother stood erect, definitely ex-military. His angular face registered no emotion, only steely control.
The mother might not be able to keep it together in front of the camera. Her editor wanted the woman’s angle, working mom with a missing daughter—a little emotion was great, but too much meant they would have to reshoot.
She shook Mrs. Hines’ hands. “I am sorry to bring you out in this rain.” Emily ground her teeth together in another smile. “There is nothing to be nervous about. I’ll ask you the questions we’ve already reviewed.”
Mrs. Hines, a twisted Kleenex clutched in her hand, managed a half-hearted nod. The brother had the chiseled good looks to make it on TV.
“Just to make sure I’m clear on my facts, Angie graduated from Cleveland High School and then enlisted in the army. Is that correct?”
“There was no way of stopping Angie once she got an idea in her head.” Mrs. Hines shook her head.
Angie’s brother, Hunter Hines, showed no reaction.
“Something bad has happened to my daughter. She would never leave Ossie.”
Emily hadn’t heard about Ossie in the preliminary interview. “Who’s Ossie?”
Hunter spoke, his voice a deep baritone, “Ossie is Angie’s cat.”
The mother swallowed a sob. “If that cat could talk, we would know what really happened.”
Emily never believed in the idea of serendipity. “I know of a veterinarian in Seattle who is able to communicate with animals. Dr. Walters might be able to help you.”
Emily ignored the force of the brother’s cold inspection. She took Mrs. Hines’ hand. “I’d be happy to set it up for you.”
Mrs. Hines had just provided the missing part of the equation for Emily’s nightly spot with the veterinarian. She and Dr. Walters would help animals reunite with their missing owners.
In the newspaper article about her helping the fire department, Dr. Grayce Walters came across as a very attractive and highly intelligent woman.
How could the doctor turn down Angie Hines’ family? How could the doctor not want to be a celebrity? Dr. Grayce Walters would have fame and fortune. What else could a woman want?
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my “team” of experts who shared their incredible knowledge, enthusiasm, and unique abilities with me. I’m most grateful for their gifts of time and expertise. Any errors are my own mistakes or my imagination run amok: Helen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Administration, Seattle Fire Department; Captain Stephen Baer, Fire Investigator, Seattle Fire Department; Richard Panzer, DVM, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist; Henny, Seattle Fire Department, rank—“Dog.”
And to my “team” of editors who never stopped believing in me or my writing: My husband, children, Karuna, Cynthia Garlough, and Jena S. O’Connor of
practicalproofing.com
. Thank you for your continual love and support.
The Code Breaker Series
Look for more heart-pounding adventure, intrigue, and romance in Jacki’s Code Breaker Series.
A Code of Love
is the first book in the series.
Available now at your favorite online retailer!
About the Author
Descended from a long line of storytellers, Jacki spins adventures filled with mystery, healing and romance.
Jacki’s love affair with the arts began at a young age and inspired her to train as a jazz singer and dancer. She has performed many acting roles with Seattle Opera Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Jacki has set
An Inner Fire
in Seattle, her long-time home. The city’s unique and colorful locations are a backdrop for her romantic mystery.
Although writing now fills much of her day, she continues to volunteer for Seattle’s Ballet and Opera Companies and leads children’s tours of Pike Street Market. Her volunteer work with Seattle’s homeless shelters influenced one of her main characters in
An Inner Fire.
Jacki’s two Golden Labs, Gus and Talley, are her constant companions. Their years of devotion and intuition inspired her to write dogs as main characters alongside her strong heroines.
A geek at heart, Jacki loves superhero movies—a hero’s battle against insurmountable odds. But her heroines don’t have to wear a unitard to fight injustice and battle for the underdog.
To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about contests and giveaways join her newsletter found on her website:
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An Inner Fire
Copyright © 2013 by Jacki Delecki
ISBN: 978-0-9899391-19
This is work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise, without expressed written permission from the author.
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Cover Art by The Killion Group
Digital Formatting by Author E.M.S.
Table of Contents
