Page 57 of A Seer and Present Danger

His hand on my cheek as he leaned in…

Heat spread across my face.

“Or maybe it’s good?” Jules teased.

“Or maybe it’s because he’s a demigod and demigods seem to throw me off?”

“Do they throw you off?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t get a good read on him. But he’s the first demigod I’ve been around. Maybe it’s just that my ability is on the fritz. I’m getting mixed signals off of Aggie too, but she’s pretty moody.”

“Just like Jean’s and Yancy’s seer abilities are out of whack.”

“That’s not normal, is it?” I asked. “To have three seers unable to seer the way they usually can?”

“No, it isn’t normal. But neither is two murders.”

That was sobering. “I should leave this to the professionals.”

Jules took another sip of tea. “It’s your choice, Piper. What do you want to do?”

Logic said the police were much better at solving crimes than one waitress seer.

But my heart said otherwise. Partly because I felt I owed it to Delaney and her sisters to help prove Jean’s innocence, and partly because I wanted to, darn it.

The murder had happened right there, at my work, right there, where I spent so much time and met so many people. Right there, where it should be a safe, cozy, friendly space that served up great food and warmth.

I didn’t like that someone had died right outside our back door.

I wanted to make sure that whoever had done that, could never do it again.

Ordinary was my home now. The Blue Owl was my hearth. I wanted it to be safe and welcoming.

Even for jerks like Kenny and Hugo.

“I think,” I said, “the professionals could use a hand now and then.”

Jules chuckled. “Well, then. Let’s give them a hand.”

“Us?”

“You don’t think I’m going to let you have all the fun, do you? What’s our next move?”

I grinned. “Let’s go give Gail a visit.”

CHAPTER 12

Gail was at her desk at the carwash. She was staring at the computer just like the last time I’d been there, but instead of deer videos and street food, the screen was blank.

I didn’t think the computer was even on.

Jules cleared her throat and wiggled her wrist so her bracelets jingled.

Gail didn’t move, stuck staring at the blank screen.

“Gail,” I said. “Are you okay?”

A shiver rolled through her from her feet to her head, as if she’d just sat through a super slow-motion earthquake.