Debbi Rawlins - Good To Be Bad

Madison glared at her at the same time the door opened and Camilla, of candle party fame, emerged, her face flushed, the sparkle in her eyes an odd mixture of fear and excitement. Which was strange, because Camilla wasn’t the type to be snowed by a con game.

Karrie suddenly had second thoughts. Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea. What if Madam Zora predicted something bad about Karrie’s job? Like that she wouldn’t get promoted to Public Relations Director when her boss retired at the end of next year? Or that she’d lose the apartment on Sixth, even though she’d been on the waiting list for over a year.

Her thoughts suddenly turned to her brother, stationed in Germany. If Madam Zora…

No, it was all twaddle. Pure guff. Nothing but the science of watching people and playing the odds. Psychics kept things so general the facts could fit hundreds of people. Even if Madam Zora guessed Karrie had a brother, she wasn’t going to know anything real about him. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t called him in too long, and that was her bad.

Regardless of psychic predictions, his job as an air force pilot wasn’t without risk. Like her, he’d been desperate to leave Searchlight where they’d grown up and he’d joined the service the day he was eligible.

Karrie had used a college scholarship to escape the small desert town, and since their mother had remarried and left five years ago, neither of them had returned to Nevada, or the shabby trailer that had provided no privacy, only a lot of shame.

She swallowed and turned back to Madison, who was busy nibbling a blini with a dollop of sour cream and a smidge of caviar. “You don’t think she’d predict anything bad, do you?”

Annoying amusement lifted Madison’s eyebrows. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Like a death, or something.”

“And ruin Sonya’s party? Don’t be droll.” Madison frowned. “But if she says anything negative about my next photo shoot, I’ll kill myself.”

“Which one?”

Madison grinned slyly. “For Today’s Man.”

“No way. Which issue?”

Her smile broadened.

Karrie stepped back. “The sexiest man layout?”

“Yep.”

“Oh my God. That’s terrific! When were you going to tell me?”

“I got the call this afternoon. I still can’t believe it myself.”

Karrie raised her glass. “Congratulations, girlfriend.”

“Save the kudos until I get the man-of-the-year cover.”

Karrie sighed. “Would you chill out long enough to enjoy the moment? This is major. World class. How many photographers vie for that shoot each month? And you got it.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Nope.” She held up a hand. “I’m not listening to any ‘yeah buts.’ You’re too hard on yourself. You’re a damn good photographer, and you deserve the assignment. Period. Which state are you covering?”

“New York. I’m shooting right here in Manhattan.”

“Cool. Who’s the guy?”

“I don’t know for sure yet but I think—”

“Hey, Karrie, Madison.” Sonya waved them toward the bedroom. “Madam Zora is waiting for you.”

“Great,” Madison muttered as she finished off her drink.

Chuckling, Karrie led the way, although she wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about the reading as she had been a few minutes ago. Her heart started to race as soon as she stepped into the dimly lit room. Sonya had put up some curtains to hide her bed, and made the area for the reading intimate and exotic, especially given that the only light came from the soft glow of twin candles. At the far end of the room sat Madam Zora. She wasn’t quite the perfect stereotype of a parlor psychic, but she came close.

Her eyes and short hair were so black that she seemed to blend into the draped walls. Even the caftan she wore was black but still couldn’t hide her large, languorous form as she lounged on a burgundy velvet love seat. Giant gold hoops glinted from her ears, tugging at the misshapen lobes with their weight.

Behind them, Sonya closed the door making Karrie jump.

“Do not be nervous, child. Come. Sit.” Madam Zora motioned them to the two chairs opposite her, her smile displaying the flash of a gold tooth.

Karrie sat first, and then gave Madison the eye when it looked as if her friend might bolt.

Madison didn’t even try to hide her reluctance as she finally sank into the other chair. She slid Karrie a look of barely disguised repugnance.

Madam Zora laughed softly. Hard to tell her age. Her skin was smooth but she had old eyes. Kind eyes that immediately put Karrie at ease.

“Tell me why you’ve come to see Madam Zora,” the woman said, looking at Karrie.

She shrugged, and said bluntly, “This isn’t something I’d normally do. I don’t really believe in this stuff, but I figured that since you’re here and I’m not paying for it…”

Madam Zora laughed again. It was a surprisingly soothing sound. “You needn’t fear me. You have a very bright future.” She leaned forward and reached for Karrie’s hand.

Karrie jumped just a little at the first touch, but Madam Zora’s fingers calmed her as no words could.

“Work is going well for you,” the psychic said with her low, slightly accented voice. “A promotion is in your future. I see—” She stopped, briefly closing her eyes.

Karrie slid a peek at Madison, who still looked as if she was at a tent revival and Madam Zora was the snake.

“B.A.” Madam Zora’s lids lifted. “You know someone with these initials, yes?”

Karrie nodded slowly.

“Brian?”

“Yes.” Her heart somersaulted. How could this woman know her brother’s name? Sonya couldn’t have told her. She didn’t know. “What about him?”

Madam Zora squeezed her hand. “Not to worry. He’s fine, and happy to soar like a bird.”

Karrie coughed, her gaze flying to her friend. Madison knew Brian was a pilot and she looked a little taken aback, too.

“Why do you bring him up?” Karrie asked.

“He is someone close to you and he’s on your mind.” She shrugged her thick shoulders. “Just as your job is.” She stopped, frowning. “Who is R.P.? Your boyfriend?”

Karrie shook her head. “Me? Boyfriend? Uh, no.” Madam Zora looked surprised, and then she closed her eyes. “You know this man. From long ago. But you will soon cross paths again.”

Not likely. Karrie sighed. She rarely met eligible men in Manhattan, much less someone from her past.

Madam Zora, her eyes still closed, started fanning herself. Perspiration beaded above her upper lip. Yet it wasn’t hot. In fact, cool April air slipped in through an open window.

“Oh, my, child. It will be hot when you meet again. Very hot. But you are used to the desert heat, yes?” Her eyes opened, her gaze spearing Karrie with a knowing look.

She straightened. This was very bizarre. Someone had to have told the woman Karrie was from Nevada. She rubbed a palm over her jeans, suddenly feeling too warm in her blazer. The thing was, she had no intention of ever returning to the Southwest.

At least the spell had been broken, and she could see the psychic for the fraud she was.

Karrie forced a polite smile, wishing the woman would turn her attention to Madison.

No such luck. If anything, Madam Zora’s interest intensified. After staring at Karrie for another minute, she closed her eyes, amusement lifting her lips as if enjoying a scene playing out in her head.

“What?” Karrie asked in spite of herself.

The woman took her time, making Karrie squirm. When she finally opened her eyes, her wary look had Karrie swallowing hard.

“It will not be an ordinary affair you will be having with this man.”

Madison chuckled and Karrie fought the urge to laugh herself. Madam Zora was so off base. Going back to the desert to have a hot and heavy affair? She thought of her work calendar and how booked she was clear into next year. Not a chance in hell.