What the Hex? (A Paranormal P.I. Mystery Book 1) by Rose Pressey Page A

my mind and I forgot my surroundings. The slow burn of desire curled through me.
    “Cece, you can open your eyes now,” Derek whispered.
    I opened my eyes. Derek was smiling at me. We’d crossed under the bridge. I tried to act casual.
    “Now can we ask?”
    “Absolutely.” Derek studied my face for a moment before turning his attention to our guide. “Dave, the reason we stopped by was to ask you about that guy. Remember the one from the party at Shep’s house?”
    Dave laughed. “That was some night.”
    “I can’t believe the cops let us go,” Derek said.
    I rolled my eyes. I didn’t even want to know what they were talking about. Okay, maybe I wanted to know a little, but I wouldn’t ask. I watched the water ripple as he moved the oar. This was actually kind of nice. Peacefulness that I hadn’t felt in a long time fell over me as we moved along the water. 
    “Yeah, the guy’s name is Justin Mark. You got some problems?” Dave asked as we reached the end of the ride.
    “We’re not sure yet.”
    “Well, I hope you find what you need,” Dave said.
    Now that he’d given us the name of the loan shark maybe we could get out of there. Derek looked as if he was having entirely too much fun.
    After thanking Dave for the great time, we got off the boat and headed for the car. I still couldn’t believe that I’d kissed Derek North. I had to admit that it hadn’t been terrible. I supposed it had actually been kind of nice.
    We got into the car and headed back toward the Strip. Thank goodness we had avoided the topic of the kiss during the drive. We pulled up in front of a shop.
    “Are you sure this is the place?”
    “That’s what Dave said.”
    Derek got out and I climbed out too. I was sure Justin Mark would wonder why we were paying him a visit. We stepped inside the shop. I wasn’t even sure what they sold there. There was a large bald man behind the counter. He stared at us as we made our way across the room.
    He didn’t bother to greet us. Finally, when we stepped up to the counter Derek introduced me and then gave the guy his name.
    “Are you Justin Mark?” Derek asked.
    “What do you need?” Justin replied.
    It looked as if that was as nice as this guy was willing to be. He probably thought we were there for a loan. I’d hate to think what this guy might do if someone didn’t pay him back. Maybe that was what had happened to Morgan and Amber. Now more than ever I was concerned for Morgan’s safety.
    “We’re looking for someone,” I said.
    The guy frowned. “What makes you think I know this person?”
    Not waiting for Derek to respond, I continued, “We don’t, but we’re hoping you do or maybe you can led us to someone who does know her.”
    “We think she may have a loan with you,” Derek said.
    Justin looked around as if he didn’t want anyone to hear that part. Of course there was no one else in the store as far as I could tell. Derek pulled out his phone and showed Justin a picture of Morgan.
    The man glanced at it. “I know her.”
    I hadn’t expected that answer. What I had expected was for Justin Mark to deny any association with Morgan. Derek and I exchanged a look. He was just as shocked as me. “We have a few questions about Morgan.”
    A frown formed on the man’s face. Apparently Morgan wasn’t one of his favorite people.
    “What about her?” he asked.
    “Did you recently visit her at the gym?” I asked.
    I’d thought about letting Derek handle all the questions with this guy, but I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut. He eyed me up and down, making me uncomfortable. If this guy had done something to Morgan then I really would be freaked out. But who had shot at us? He wouldn’t have reason to do that, right? 
    “Yeah, I went to see her. Morgan and her friend owe me money.”
    “Amber Barrett?” Derek asked.
    He nodded. “That’s her.”
    “You do know Amber was murdered?” I asked.
    My anxiety increased with every second of this