Silent Run

Maybe Xander Cross, her old friend from foster care, had done the job. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number listed. An answering machine picked up on the third ring. The store was closed and would reopen at ten o’clock the next morning.
    â€œNo one is there tonight, but I think we found him,” he said.
    Catherine smiled, and it almost took his breath away. He didn’t know if he was more excited about finding Andy Hart, a.k.a. Xander Cross, or the fact that Catherine was looking at him like he was some kind of a god. In truth, she was the one who’d found Xander, not him.
    â€œMaybe Andy knows where Jessica’s baby is,” Catherine said.
    â€œI sure as hell hope so. I wish we could get in touch with him tonight, but I guess we’ll have to wait."
    â€œI’d like to talk to him again, see how he is,” Catherine said. “He always said he would run his own business. He wasn’t the type to work for anyone else. I guess he gave up his Andy Hart persona and became Xander Cross."
    â€œWell, if I had a choice between being a foster kid or a superhero, I’d probably choose the superhero."
    â€œI’m sure you would. So now what? Can you relax, take a breath?"
    â€œHardly. We still have to find Teresa and figure out who’s trying to kill Jessica."
    â€œFinish your tea first. I want to read your tea leaves."
    â€œI don’t think so. I don’t want to know the future,” he said.
    â€œAre you sure? I wouldn’t have taken you for a man who liked to be surprised."
    â€œI don’t know about that. I like change. It beats the same old thing every day."
    â€œMaybe you’re just afraid."
    He knew she was manipulating him, but still he rose to the bait. He drank his tea down to the leaves and pushed the cup over to her. “Fine, tell me what you see. And I hope it’s a gorgeous blonde with hot legs and big breasts.” He laughed at her expression.
    â€œIs that really all you look for in a woman?” she asked.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with hot legs and big breasts?"
    â€œNothing, if you’re a shallow playboy who doesn’t want a serious relationship."
    He gave a little shrug. “What about you? What do you look for in a man?"
    â€œWell, certainly more than a big penis,” she said frankly.
    He laughed at her bluntness. Catherine Hilliard was an odd mix of bright-eyed innocence and cynical weariness. He couldn’t quite figure her out. “Like what?"
    â€œBrains, personality, sense of humor, good heart,” she said.
    â€œKind to dogs, cats, and birds,” he finished.
    â€œAbsolutely."
    â€œSo I guess Prince Charming hasn’t shown up yet, huh?"
    A shadow crossed her face. “He came. He left,” she said softly. “Now, let’s take a look at your fortune."
    He was actually far more interested in her last statement than his own fortune, but Catherine was ignoring him now.
    A few moments later she set the cup down and said, “Never mind."
    â€œHey, hold on. You can’t just start something and not finish it."
    â€œYou said you like surprises. I think you have a lot of fun in store for you.” She stood up. “I’ll make up the couch for you. It’s storming too hard for you to leave."
    â€œWait,” Dylan said, catching her by the arm. “Do the surprises have to do with Jake and Sarah?"
    â€œNo, they have to do with your past. You judge Sarah harshly for her secrets, but you have some of your own."
    He frowned. “Look, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Catherine, and I certainly don’t want to show any disrespect for your fortune-telling abilities, but I don’t believe a bunch of tea leaves can predict my future."
    â€œThere are two women,” she said. “One represents danger, the other salvation. But it will be difficult for you to know which is which unless you find a way to listen to your heart instead of your head. A task, I fear, that will not be easy for you. I’ll see you in the morning."
    â€œYeah, thanks for the bedtime story,” he said sarcastically.
    His words did little more than make her smile. “The disbelievers always fall the hardest.”

Chapter Nineteen

    The door to the motel room opened, and Sarah started, letting out a breath of relief when she saw it was Jake. His hair and jacket were wet from the rain, and he didn’t look any more relaxed than when