“Only partially. I can read Manny’s mind. Which is where you come in,” Harlon said, leaning forward and putting the picture on the table between us. “I can read his mind, but I can’t see what happened. His words are jumbled. The psychic told me that you’d be able to see and tell me what happened so we can figure if this was an animal attack or if a human instigated it.”
“What are you?”
“I’m part owner of a successful security firm. We train attack dogs for our clients, police canines, and service dogs.”
“And you what? Read the clients’ minds?”
“I’m more on the security side of things, but I’m more like a veterinarian. Just like I can read human minds, I can read animal minds too. Which is why none of this makes sense. I’m convinced that the animals around Manny wouldn’t have done this to him without being provoked by…someone else.
I gaped at him. He was like an animal whisperer. I’d never met one of those.
“But you can’t read me?” I asked. My coffee was forgotten and going cold.
“No. That’s why I need you. Although I’m not sure exactly how this is going to work. But I was told if we both touch the same person or picture or animal, it will be like we’re working in tandem.”
“The psychic told you that?”
“Yeah, she did,” he answered.
I raised a brow, unwilling to believe just yet.
“You’re the eyes, and I’m the voice.”
I clasped my hands and pulled them into my lap. “Let’s say for a second that I believe you.” My gaze dropped to the picture sitting on the table. “What’s the job?”
Harlon sighed. “Well, if we’re lucky, all I’ll need you to do is touch the picture while I’m touching you. And hopefully, we’ll be able to see and hear together.”
“And if that doesn’t work?” I asked.
“Then I’ll pay you to go with me to see Manny in person to check if the connection is stronger that way. I need answers only he can give me. Lives could be in danger.”
My heart thumped double time in my ribcage. The thought of being able to do this intrigued me. Knowing he could read minds scared the shit out of me. I’d have to keep him away from everyone that knew the rest of my family secrets.
“So just a touch?” I asked.
He nodded.
I slid my hand onto the table and moved it closer to the picture, hoping he couldn’t see it tremble. “Okay.”
I held my breath as I touched the picture, expecting God knows what? Nothing happened.
My brows dipped, and I laid my palm down straighter.
“Looks like you traveled a long way to be disappointed.”
I’d started to move my hand when he caught it, resting his large palm over mine. He moved our joined hands to hover over the picture.
“You can take the lead from here. Lower your palm when you’re ready.”
I swallowed hard. The heat from his palm was calming as it sluiced up my arm.
I lowered my palm and closed my eye.
The visions and the voices hit at once.
