I said. “I know you’re overwhelmed with cases right now.” “Why does Judge Datini want you to look into this anyway?” Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino asked. She was my partner, maybe, if a telepath consultant like myself could even have a partner in the police force. She was also beautiful, with large breasts, dark hair, strong features, and a strong personality that made me want to be a better man. Even if half the time she didn’t notice me past my talents. “I owe him,” I said, a little self-consciously. I was embarrassed about it, actually; it was tied up with past sins I’d rather her not know about. It wasn’t at all usual for judges to ask consultants for favors. We were at the university in North Druid Hills on an early September rainy morning. This part of Atlanta was full of trees, both natural trees and those bioengineered to absorb additional pollution and ash from the air. With the air quality so bad these days, we needed all the help we could get.
