Copycat Killer (Psychic For Hire 1)

“Oh hush, darling,” she chides Monroe. “Let the nice man guess.”

“Well, in that case you’re a sprite. You look delicious enough to be one. Water sprite, right?”

“Nope.”

“Not a wood sprite. Can’t be one of those. You’re too foxy.”

Remi must be slapping his wrist. “Don’t be like that, silly! I know one or two gorgeous wood sprites.”

“Yeah, but wood. It’s so boring.”

“Maybe I’m a goblin,” she coos. “How would you like that?”

Caprio bursts into laughter. “Nice one. That makes me need another drink. Barkeep! get me another one of these.”

“Oh hush. You’re terrible, you are.”

“You sure you don’t have succubus blood? You look like someone I know.”

“Is that right? Anyone I know?”

“Take a guess… No?… Let me give you a clue… Lyn-es—”

“Lynesse Jones!” she screeches. “Oh my gosh! People tell me that all the time! And you knew her? Oh my gosh, isn’t it terrible what happened to her? The Devil Claw Killer as well. How exciting.”

“I suppose you could say that,” Caprio says smarmily. “I’ve had an interesting few days.”

“Oh my gosh. Tell me everything,” she demands in a scandalized voice.

“Maybe later,” he says.

“You can’t tease me like that!” she squeals in excitement. “Was she having an affair with Devil Claw? Do you know who he is?”

Caprio chuckles. “If I did, do you think I’d be alive right now?”

“Gosh, how scary. So did you know Lynesse well? Don’t tell me you dated her? I bet you dated her!”

“Nah, she wasn’t my type. And anyway, wouldn’t want to trespass on my best bud’s territory. The bro code, you know?” There is a puffed up bragging tone in his voice when mentioning his famous pal.

Remi knows exactly what to do with it. “I knew I recognized you!” she shrieks. “You’re Jared Everett’s best friend! It must be so exciting. Are you an actor too?”

“I might have dabbled a little bit here and there,” Caprio says in a smug voice.

Within minutes Remi has gotten rid of Monroe, who departs loudly sulking in the manner of a not-quite-new-boyfriend with a severely bruised ego.

Remi continues to massage Caprio’s ego for a mere tantalizing two minutes before pretending to lose interest. She complains that the party is a bit boring. She moans that she really could do with a smoke.

Keen to revive her interest, Caprio offers to escort her to the special smoking area in the embassy gardens but she whines that she likes a particular luxury brand and that she’s left them at home. Then, as if a naughty idea has occurred to her, she says her apartment is not too far, and would he be a darling and drive her there? Her car is right outside.

She whispers in his ear that she wouldn’t mind the extra privacy either.

Caprio hesitates. “I have a great room here,” he says. “It’ll give us all the privacy we want.”

She gives a disparaging laugh. “No darling, not without my cigarettes. But if you can’t help, I’ll just have to find someone else.”

She must have made a move to leave because Caprio says, “Not so fast. I can drive you there.”

“Oh goodie,” she purrs. “I’ll even fix you my own special drink as a thanks.”