Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

reading. They were trying to throw her off her game. This was a job, nothing more.
    She nodded to Reyes. “I’ve read both ways. My act is geared for audience participation; my private clients prefer their readings to be … private.” She turned to Compton. “I don’t recall anything scandalous in your first reading ; I doubt you have anything to worry about now .” Which was true. She didn’t recall a ny thing. “Even if you impart something you don’t want to , I always respect my client’s privacy.”
    “I expect no less,” Compton said.
    A conversation arose as to who would have the first reading. Fernando Reyes, drawing Diana’s attention back to his dexterous manipulation of his wife’s breast, decided to go first, Compton last. This time, when she caught Lucier’s gaze, he furtively nodded to the Reyes es ’ exhibitionism . She responded with an almost imperceptible raise of her brows.
    “No reading for you, Mr. Crane ? ” Diana asked. He sat like a king on the throne, surveying his flock. The man was a perfect specimen. Paul Newman eyes that hinted amusement, a face chiseled for Mount Rushmore. He wore no jacket, as if formality were beneath him.
    “No, no,” Crane said, waving her off. “I know where my life has been, and I’m old enough not to care where it’s taking me.”
    “Surprising that none of the ladies are interested in a reading,” Diana said. “Most of my clients are women. What about you, Mrs. Compton? Game?”
    “Oh, no . ” S elene laughed , with a firm hold on Lucier’s arm. “I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t believe in psychics. T hey’re fine as entertainment, but I can’t imagine putting my future decisions in the hands of a seer.”
    Seer, indeed. An obvious put-down. “I’ve heard the sentiments before,” Diana said. “Many times, in fact. Most people change their minds after one of my readings.”
    “Go on, Selene. Sign up,” her mother said. “I want to see what she says about you.”
    “But not you, Mrs. Crane?” Diana asked .
    “I’m with Phillip, my dear. Too old to care.”
    “I’ll think about it during dinner ,” Selene said. “Speaking of dinner, what do you say we eat?”
    Everyone agreed, and Selene called her servants to set out the food. As if she expected Lucier and Diana to be cautious after Diana’s inference about the drink in Compton’s limo, Selene had directed her caterer to arrange the buffet on two sideboards in the huge dining room. A stack of fine china sat at one end, and everyone lined up to fill t heir plates with the same food.
    Appetizers of shrimp and caviar. A salad bar section with dozens of items. Roast beef and salmon. Pork tenderloin and chicken breast. Trays of vegetable casseroles, rice, and potatoes. The presentation equaled those of expensive restaurants and grand hotels, rarely a private home.
    She and Lucier exchanged almost imperceptible nods as they found their place cards at the table. This time, Diana sat between Phillip Crane and Jeremy Haynesworth, and Lucier’s dining companions were Rhea Haynesworth and Cybele Crane. The butler filled the water and wine glasses from the same pitchers and bottles.
    Silas Compton raised his glass. “A toast t o our esteemed guests, Diana and Ernie. I hope this will be the first of many celebrations.”
    “Thank you, Silas,” Lucier said. Compton’s solicitous smile didn’t hide the tic in his cheek. They all lifted their glasses. Diana sipped her wine. Delicious. Well, why wouldn’t it be? Probably cost $200 a bottle. Before she knew, she had drunk half the glass and decided to sip or it mig ht interfere with her readings.
    “So, Diana,” Rhea Haynesworth said from across the table, “my husband has been so looking forward to this. He’s never had a fortune teller give him a reading before.”
    First seer, now fortune teller . No sarcasm crept into Rhea ’s tone, and Diana peered over her wine glass for any sign of condescension. She saw none .
    “And he won’t tonight, Rhea , because I’m not a fortune teller.” Diana fought to keep her voice even at what she perceived an insult. M ost people wouldn’t distinguish the nuances that separated the different psychic channels. “Fortune tellers and seers predict the future. I read psychic energy. Psychic phenomena can embrace the past, present, or future of a person’s life. I only absorb impressions the sitter transmits to me. Sometimes I receive nothing at all , s o I hope no one is