For Her Eyes Only Part Two

By Sharon Sala

36 Hours Serial

As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty–six hours will change the town and its residents forever….

For Her Eyes Only Part 2

Ever since she blacked out at Squaw Creek Lodge the night of the storm, Jessica's been having visions. What does it mean? If only she could have a vision about where things are going between her and Stone–but that's still a mystery. And since her last vision of Stone in danger, she has even more to worry about.

Stone's glad to have Jessica back in his life. And since he found out the truth about the mayor's death, he's taking her visions seriously. But if Olivia's death wasn't an accident, there's a killer out there, and Jessica might be in danger….

The story concludes in For Her Eyes Only Part 3.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Mar 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781743649466

Sharon Sala

Sharon Sala is a member of RWA and OKRWA with 115 books in Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women's Fiction, and non-fiction. RITA finalist 8 times, won Janet Dailey Award, Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine 5 times, Winner of the National Reader's Choice Award 5 times, winner of the Colorado Romance Writer's Award 5 times, Heart of Excellence award, Booksellers Best Award. Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Centennial Award for 100th published novel.

Book preview

Chapter Five

"Well, I’ll be damned."

There was little else Dr. Noah Howell could think to say about the small dark bruise he found on the back of Olivia Stuart’s leg.

Det. Stone Richardson forced himself to focus on the tiny portion of bruised flesh, and not on what was left of the woman she’d been.

"So, Doc, without an autopsy, give me a best-guess scenario. What do you think could have caused that bruise?"

Noah looked up at Stone in disbelief. He still couldn’t believe what he was seeing, then he looked back down, staring intently at the small purple spot. Even through his surgical gloves, he could feel the cold morbidity of Olivia’s flesh. He shook his head and pulled the sheet back over her body.

Without actual proof, it would be hard to—

Damn it, Doc, I asked for a guess, not a thesis.

Noah looked up. I’d probably guess it was a needle mark.

Stone had been expecting him to say it, and yet when it came, he reeled backward in shock.

Son of a bitch.

Noah pushed the body back into the drawer, then shut the door. He shivered. I’ll inform the coroner’s office and order an autopsy immediately.

Stone stared at the wall of drawers. Olivia Stuart awaited her disbursement into the earth behind door seventeen. Knowing her as he had, he was certain her spirit was already in a better place, but what was left of her body deserved more than it was about to receive.

Did someone really kill the mayor just before she could attend her son’s wedding? Why else would she have a needle mark on the back of her leg? Damn.

And I’ll handle it from my end, he said, then turned toward the door without waiting to see if Noah followed. Let’s get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.

Only after they were in the elevator on their way up to ground level, did Stone speak again.

I need a copy of the autopsy report on my desk within twenty-four hours.

Noah shook his head. No way. We’re so behind now that—

Stone put a hand on the doctor’s shoulder. Listen, Doc, if what we suspect is true, someone already thinks they’ve gotten away with murder. I don’t want to wait a minute longer than necessary to start an investigation. Understand?

Noah nodded, his shoulders slumping. I’ll do what it takes to get the job done, even if I have to do it myself.

The elevator doors opened and Stone stepped out. Coming?

Noah shook his head, pointing to the floors above. I’m late for surgery as it is.

Stone paused in the door of the elevator, bracing his hands against the doors to keep them from closing.

Doc, I need you to do me one more favor.

A wry grin spread across Noah Howell’s face. Why am I not surprised.

Stone’s expression darkened. Keep this quiet. I don’t want speculation to supercede facts.

Of course.

Stone stepped back and the doors closed immediately, taking Noah to the floors above.

A few minutes later, Stone slid into the seat of his car and then stared blindly out the window in disbelief. How had Jessica known this? She hit her head during the powerful storm that had crippled Grand Springs and now she’s having visions. And because she had, another, more serious problem dawned. In a way, she was witness to a murder. If word got out, she could be in danger herself. And with that thought came still another. Thinking of Jessie in danger made him sick with fear. He wiped a shaky hand across his face and closed his eyes, trying to remind himself that he had no claims on her other than the fact that she was just another innocent citizen he’d sworn to protect. But he kept remembering the way she laughed and the way she made love. As he broke out in a cold sweat, he groaned.

Damn it, he muttered, I don’t need this, then he started the car and headed back to the station.

He’d already decided he wasn’t saying anything to anyone but Sanderson until the autopsy report was in his hands. And he could just imagine how the chief was going to take the news. How does one tell the chief of police that some woman had a psychic vision and Stone had decided to act upon it? He shook his head. It sounded crazy, even to him.

* * *

Jessica was a morning person. Usually, she got up with a buoyant attitude that stayed with her through the rest of the day. But today, as she stepped out of the shower and glanced at herself in the mirror, she frowned.

In spite of doctor’s orders, she had removed her bandage and washed her hair. Shoving back her ragged bangs, she turned her head, first one way, then another, looking intently at her wound before reaching for a towel. The way she looked at it, it was a toss-up as to which was worse—her homegrown haircut, or the bald spot that was sprouting new growth.

I don’t care, she told herself as she dried. I don’t have to go to work. Who’s going to see?

And then the phone rang. She dropped the towel and bolted, flopping across her bed as she reached for the phone beside her pillow.

Hello.

Stone’s voice rolled over her senses like warm honey on hot bread.

Jessie, it’s me.

In spite of the fact that she was safe from prying eyes, she instinctively reached for a sheet, then realized he wouldn’t know she was naked. An odd little smile came and went as she dropped the sheet and moved the phone a little closer to her mouth. It was a decadent feeling to be talking to this man without wearing a stitch.

I called to see how you were feeling, Stone said.

She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes. The air from an overhead fan was blow-drying the lingering moisture from her skin and she imagined that it was Stone’s breath instead. She was so into her fantasy that her nipples suddenly peaked and hardened as her body tightened with longing.

She sighed. I’m feeling fine. Just fine.

Stone frowned. She sounded strange, almost drugged.

Did I wake you? he asked.

She answered before she thought. Oh, no. I’ve been up for ages. I just got out of the shower.

Stone gripped the receiver until his knuckles whitened, and he tried, without much success, to concentrate on something besides the thought of Jessica, wet and nude.

Uh— Realizing that he’d totally lost focus as to why he’d called, he gave himself a mental kick in the butt and shifted the receiver to his other ear.

Jessica was woman enough to hear Stone’s confusion. And just when she could have taken heart from the fact that he could be remembering their past, she edited her thought. Yes, a naked woman might do wonders in getting some attention from Stone, but what about one with a bald spot and stitches? Aware of the dampness beneath her head, she abandoned her fantasies and sat