Read Online First Visions by Heather Topham Wood - Free Book Online

model?”
    “I can’t right now, I’m running late for
work. Besides, I would rather avoid the station if that’s all the
same to you. Don’t want anyone to recognize me and link me to the
case, you know? Why don’t you meet me around lunchtime at my
office? In the meantime, I could probably draw a pretty good sketch
of the car.” He agreed and she gave him the address of the medical
complex where she worked before hanging up.
    Later that day, Kate sat at her desk and
looked at the drawing she had created. It wasn’t half bad
considering the fact she wasn’t a professional artist. Hopefully,
the car would be enough to lead them to Cori. Kate had no idea what
the abductor wanted with the girl or if he planned to care for her.
Although the images from last night were right after her abduction,
it had been close to a week since her disappearance. Cori would
need sustenance to survive. He could’ve abused her in the meantime.
She slipped the drawing into her purse and turned back to her
computer. The office was always busy on Mondays and it had kept her
occupied enough to not dwell on her fears for Cori.
    One of the other medical receptionists,
Diane, came up behind her. She was in her late forties and had been
working there practically forever. Her eyes were wide as saucers as
she said in a scandalized tone, “Kate, there’s a detective from the
police department here to see you.”
    Kate rose and walked over to the reception
area. The three other receptionists were looking back and forth
between her and Jared. She only imagined what kind of thoughts they
were having. Jared gave her a soft smile as Diane whispered, “What
does he want with you?”
    “He’s here to question me about the drug and
prostitutions charges,” she mock whispered.
    Jared shook his head at her which only made
her smile wider. The receptionists rolled their eyes, already
guessing they wouldn’t be getting the truth from her. She sauntered
up next to Jared and said, “How about you cuff me for the girls?
They’d get a real thrill out of it.”
    “I think you would be the one to get a thrill
out of it,” he said wryly.
    “Saucy! I like it,” she said and turned to
the receptionists. “I’m heading out for lunch. If I’m not back in
an hour, Detective Corbett has me in the clink and I’ll need bail
money.”
    “It was a pleasure to meet all of you,” he
said in friendly tones with a wave to the staff and followed her
out of the office.
    She gave him a sideways glance and tried not
to let him catch her staring. He wore a white button down shirt
with a black and maroon tie with black slacks. He played with his
tie nervously as he seemed to be mulling something over in his
mind.
    Turning to her when they reached the parking
lot, he inquired, “Where to?”
    “Do you get a big expense account being an
important detective and all? I’ve been dying to try that new
Italian bistro downtown…” She stopped at his exasperated
expression. “Or a diner works.”
    “Great, I usually go to the one on Billings
Road. You can hop in with me and I’ll drop you here
afterwards.”
    She followed him to a black Crown Victoria
and slid into the seat next to him. Wow, he smelled good, she
silently marveled. Nothing like the cheap cologne and Speed Stick
smell of most of the guys she made out with in college. It was more
like a woodsy clean scent. She fought back her desire to hop on his
lap and begin sniffing him like a dog.
    “You’re uncharacteristically quiet,” he
remarked peeking over at her as he turned out of the parking
lot.
    Classic rock played at a low volume out of
the speakers. She resisted the urge to fiddle with the station.
“Well, you know, just enjoying the ride. I’ve never been driven
around in a cop car before.” She tried to make her laugh sound
twinkling, but it came out more like a hyena. Embarrassed, she
quickly changed the subject. “I have the drawing for you. Maybe
you’ll be able to figure out what kind of car