Heaven and Earth Read Online Free PDF Page B

reading.
    “Do they give you grants for stuff like this?”
    “Umm, maybe, but I never needed one. I’m a really rich geek.”
    “No kidding? Don’t let Mia know or she’ll jack up the rent.” Curious, she wound her way through the boxes. She’d always liked the little cottage well enough, and was still a bit steamed that she wasn’t the one moving in. But things with MacAllister Booke weren’t adding up for her.
    “Look, usually I’m big on minding my own business, and I’ve got less than no interest in the stuff you do, but I’ve just got to say, you just don’t seem to fit. Professor of strange, geeky rich guy, little yellow cottage. What are you after?”
    He didn’t smile now. His face went quiet, almost eerily intent. “Answers.”
    “What answers?”
    “All of them I can get. You’ve got great eyes.”
    “Huh?”
    “I was just noticing. Nothing but green. No gray, no blue, just intense green. Pretty.”
    She angled her head. “You coming on to me, Dr. Geek?”
    “No.” He very nearly flushed. “I just noticed, that’s all. Half the time I don’t realize I’m saying something that’s in my head. Comes from spending a lot of time on my own, I guess, and thinking out loud.”
    “Right. Well, I’ve got to get going.”
    He stuck the sensor in his pocket, neglecting to turn it off. “I appreciate the help. No offense before, okay?”
    “Okay.” She offered her hand to shake.
    The instant their fingers clasped, the sensor in his pocket beeped madly. “Wow! Wait. Hold on.”
    She tried again to tug her hand free, but his grip turned surprisingly strong. With his free hand, he dragged the sensor out of his pocket.
    “Look at this.” Excitement rippled through his voice, deepened it. “I’ve never had it measure anything this strong. Almost off the scale.”
    He began to mutter numbers as if memorizing them while he tugged her across the room.
    “Hold on, pal. Just what do you think—”
    “I need to record these numbers. What time is it? Two twenty-three and sixteen seconds.” Fascinated, he passed the gauge over their joined hands. “Jesus! Look at that jump. Is that cool or what?”
    “Let go. Right now—or I’m taking you down.”
    “Huh?” He looked back at her face, blinked once to orient himself. The eyes he’d admired were hard as stone now. “Sorry.”
    He released her hand immediately, and the sensor’s beeping began to slow. “Sorry,” he repeated. “I get caught up, especially with a new phenomenon. If you could just give me a minute to record this, then interface the portable with my computer.”
    “I don’t have time to waste while you play with your toys.” She shot the sensor a furious look. “I’d say you need an equipment check.”
    “I don’t think so.” He held out the palm that had clasped hers. “It’s vibrating. How about yours?”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Ten minutes,” he said. “Give me ten to put the bare essentials together, and let’s try it again. I want to test our vital signs. Body temperature, ambient temperature.”
    “I don’t let guys test my vital signs until they’ve bought me dinner.” She jerked her thumb. “You’re in my way.”
    He stepped to the side. “I’ll buy you dinner.”
    “No, thanks.” She headed straight for the door without looking back. “You are so not my type.”
    Rather than waste time on annoyance when she slammed the door behind her, Mac searched for his recorder and began relaying the data.
    “Ripley Todd,” he finished. “Deputy Ripley Todd, late twenties, I’d guess. Abrasive, suspicious, casually rude. Incident occurred on physical contact. A handshake. Personal physical reactions were a tingling and warmth along the skin, from point of contact, up the right arm to the shoulder. An increase of heart rate and a temporary feeling of euphoria. Deputy Todd’s physical reaction is unsubstantiated. Impressions are, however, that she experienced the same or