She sometimes forgot that the nude cancan dancers lined the hallway up. “Yes, we probably need to update this place,” she said, reaching the top of the stairs. “Hello, Sherry.”
“Hello, Laurel.” Sherry craned her neck to look at the doughnut box.
“Here you go.” Laurel placed it on the display counter, feeling disjointed without Kate there. “Make sure Agent Norrs gets one.”
Norrs appeared in the doorway. “I will make sure Agent Norrs gets one.” He flipped open the box and pounced on a round pastry with sprinkles. “I never get doughnuts anymore. Which one do you want, Sherry?”
She took a chocolate one.
“Mr. Kohnex?” Laurel asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t eat doughnuts. Do you have any scotch?”
Sherry snickered. “It’s eight o’clock in the morning.”
“Oh.” He looked around. “Still, no doughnut.”
Laurel walked through the open doorway. “This way, Mr. Kohnex.” She led him into the conference room. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a moment.” She strode down to her office and dropped her coat and briefcase before taking a notebook and returning to the conference room, where Sherry had already left a pitcher of water.
“Would you like coffee or tea?” Laurel asked.
Kohnex shook his head. “I don’t do caffeine either.”
“How about water?” She nodded to the pitcher.
He frowned. “Is it from a mineral well?”
“I believe we pour our water from the tap,” Laurel said.
“Then no water.” He kicked back in his chair, his arms long and his legs extending far beneath the table. He seemed to be in good shape. How marvelous it would be to be 6’ 7”. Laurel could only imagine.
She sat down just as Agent Norrs strode inside, wiping the sprinkles off his shirt, and took a seat. Laurel introduced them. “Mr. Kohnex says he has evidence regarding Mrs. Bearing’s murder.”
Kohnex took a deep breath. “I’ve tortured myself whether to tell you this or not, but . . .” He looked up at the ceiling, and then down. “I walked in on Pastor John and Mrs. Bearing in his office a week ago. They were naked.”
Norrs made a notation. “What did they do?”
“They hurriedly got dressed. They were both very embarrassed, but there wasn’t much they could say.” He lifted his shoulders. “I knew something was different about the pastor. His aura had completely changed, but the wind didn’t whisper this one to me. However, I don’t think he killed her.”
Laurel sat back. “Why not?”
“His aura doesn’t show evil. He’s a nice guy.”
Norrs cleared his voice. “I guess he’s not that nice, considering he was having an affair with the mayor’s wife.”
“I see.” Kohnex leaned back. “I had a dream about you, Agent Snow.”
The hair rose on the back of her neck. “Was it a good dream?”
“It was not a good dream,” Kohnex said. “You were running. There was snow and ice, and it was cold and frightening. I think you need to be very careful.”
Agent Norrs leaned forward, looking like a stubborn bulldog. “Is that a threat?”
“No.” Kohnex’s eyes opened wide. “It’s a warning. I’m telling you, the fates are whispering to me to warn you.”
“Whispering?” Agent Norrs asked.
Kohnex nodded. “Yes, they want you protected, but there is a force after you.” He shook his head and then stopped abruptly, staring down at the wooden table. “There are actually two forces after you, Agent Snow.” He lifted his head and his pupils dilated. “You have to be very careful. It’s not just your life you need to protect.”
