All Chapters of Esmerelda Sleuth: Beyond the Portal (Book 3): Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

“I do not understand what it is that you are trying to tell me,” Cecil pouted after Nora did her best to relay to him our findings.  “Are you saying that  you believe that there is a timed lock on our attic door and that time travelers are coming and going?”Nora nodded.  “I know that it sounds a bit farfetched, but you did hire us for our paranormal investigating skills.  So, you must believe just a bit that it could be possible.”I’d sat back and allowed my friend to converse about our findings with our client while I observed his body language as he listened.  I’d been trained to read body language when I was studying to be an investigator.  There was a lot to learn about a person from it.  His behavior indicated to me that, although he was trying to appear interested and reasonable, he didn’t like a word of what Nora was telling him.  I also got the impression that he knew

My worries for Nora slowly subsided as I focused on my own wellbeing.  I had no idea where I was and  what I was walking into.  My captor moved through the darkness with a steady ease.  Perhaps he was able to see after all?  My fear of being left alone in such acute darkness was intense so,  I made sure to closely follow him.When a plain looking red door appeared in front of us, he slowly waved his hand from left to right in a way that reminded me of a magician performing a magic trick.  The door groaned loud and long as it opened with reluctance.  I had to squint my eyes in order to tolerate the bright light that assaulted them while the door created an opening that was wide enough for us to walk through.My head pounded from the intensity of the light. I was forced to give in and completely close my eyes in order to find some relief.  Even with them closed, I could see the brightness that was in stark contrast to the blac

Doctor Jeffrey Goodman was a comely man in his late thirties.  His smile consisted of slender lips beneath a platinum mustache that matched his well-groomed platinum hair and slightly imperfect, pearly white teeth.  It was so warm and friendly that I found it infectious.Grey, twinkling eyes that sat in just the right position on either side of a nose that could only be described as the perfect size and shape for his strong jaw and ruddy, high cheekbones assessed me from a few feet away. “So, Miss Sleuth, I understand that you’ve had quite an adventure.”“Esmerelda,” I said, softly.  “Call me Esmerelda.”He nodded.  “Alright.  Esmerelda, can you tell me a bit about what happened?”I hesitated going into detail with someone in the medical profession.  It was such a crazy story.  What if he thought me just that?  What if he thought me crazy?  Sure, he was a me

I felt even worse the following day.  So  bad, in fact, that Jeffrey was called back to check on me.“From what I can see,” he said to Killian as they stood on the opposite side of the room and in a voice that I doubted he’d expected me to hear, “you syphoned every drop of magic from her shine.  She’s completely depleted.”“How can that be?” Killian asked with concern.  “I projected it toward her.  She should have gotten a goodly supply from me.”Jeffrey looked at me with creased brow.  “Something’s not right.”“Do you think they did something to her when she was beyond the portal?” Killian asked.“That’s a pretty nasty place,” Jeffrey replied. “I’ve only met one other person who went there and survived.”I sucked in air at his comment, but stayed silent.  I wasn’t ready for th

We said nothing after we’d finished making love.  Whether it was because we were both breathless or whether he was just as much in awe over the intensity of our sex as I was, I didn’t know. He sat in silence while I dressed and put on my makeup.  I occasionally glanced at him through the mirror to find his look intense and studying.“What are you watching me so closely for?” I finally asked.“We didn’t use protection,” he mumbled.“Should I be worried?” I asked with concern. “About disease or pregnancy?” he asked.“I’m on the pill,” I offered.“I was recently tested,” he said with surety.  “I can show you the results if you want.”“I trust you,” I said with a hint of relief.  “I liked it without the condom.  I vote we keep it that way.”  Then, after a brief