"Okay."
I caught a glimpse of the clock and jumped up. "I’ve got to run."
"I’m coming along," he said.
"How would I explain your presence?"
"I’m your emotional support. An energy healer will accept that.”
"That could work.” I paused. “Do you think I’m in danger?"
"I think if something in the air is strong enough to give me a headache, I don’t want to take a risk. I’ve already lost a human."
“It’s not the thunderstorm?”
“No. Please, Bex.”
With Cosmo safely in his stroller—to protect him from the still-pouring rain—we made our way to the downtown practice of theReiki practitioner.
I’d expected there to be a receptionist. Instead, I entered an empty waiting area, complete with bamboo furniture, a few Japanese prints on the wall, and a fake phrenology skull.
Brad certainly had interesting taste.
There was an old-fashioned silver bell on the desk. A printed note instructed patient to ring it.
A small kitchen, the practice room, and a bathroom were all clearly labeled. A door with a glass panel led to a staircase. It had Private in gold lettering on the glass, so I assumed it led up to an apartment. That might also explain why Pamela had seen the mystery woman leaving through the practice door.
I waited until two minutes after my appointment time before pressing the bell.
Brad peeked through the door.
A charming smile crinkled his eyes. Up close, he was even more handsome than I remembered from that night at theBlue Moon. "Come on in," he said. "Let’s have a chat."
"Do you mind if I bring my cat along?"
He paused. "I’m really sorry, but I don’t treat animals."
"No," I said. "I know."
His smile deepened. "Ah. Emotional support?"
"My aunt’s passing away was really unsettling." My lip wobbled.
"I understand." He bent down to wave at Cosmo, who still sat in his stroller. I wheeled him in with me.
The practice room was divided into two sections—one set out like a doctor’s office, with a laptop, notepads, and comfortable chairs. The other, I assumed, was where the energy healing took place, hidden behind a screen on wheels.
Brad pulled out a chair for me to sit down. His manners were impeccable.
"May I open the stroller? I promise you, Cosmo won’t cause any damage." I peered at him.
"Sure," he said. "I love animals."
He shifted toward a large fish tank that I hadn’t noticed before. "There’s something soothing about having an animal or two around, don’t you think?"
"Absolutely," I agreed. "Now, where do we start?”
“How much do you know about Reiki?"
