Read Skin Walkers: Gauge for Free Online

like to read and,” she began but halted when he held up a hand.
    “I’ll make this easy on you.” He placed her jacket on his desk before he leaned forward to grip the sides of her chair and turned it.  Standing, he grabbed the second chair that sat in front of his desk and turned it so they were facing each other with only mere feet separating them.  He claimed the seat and his knees brushed hers with the proximity. 
    Ella plucked at the front of her blouse, hoping to get some cool air onto her suddenly fevered flesh.
    “I’m going to ask you a series of questions,” Gauge began, “and you’re going to answer with as few words as possible.  Understood?”
    Ella nodded and prayed someone would call or come through the door to save her.
    Gauge partially shifted, knowing his eyes darkened drastically when Ella inhaled and leaned back in her seat.  He thought of his questions and realized this was going to be harder than he thought.  How did he question her without giving too much away himself?
    “Ella Garret,” he began, “That’s a lovely name.  Is it a family name?”
    She shook her head and when he frowned she squeaked out a, “N-no.”
    Truth.
    “Where were you born?”
    I can’t tell him that!  He’ll be able to trace Alysa there.   She opened her fisted hands hoping there was still a trace of scent on them.  Come on cucumbers!  Please, oh please, oh please.  “Uh, Kentucky.”  She prayed the one word wouldn’t be scented.
    Lie! 
    “How close are you and Stoney?”
    “We’re best friends.”
    “Best friends?  As in the kind that share everything? ” 
    “Yes.  NO!  Well, I don’t know.  I tell her everything.  I wouldn’t know if she told me everything or not, would I?”
    Touché’.  “Where is Alysa’s father?”
    “I told you already.”
    “I apologize, I forget.  Please tell me again.”
    “He’s, ” Aaaagh !  That’s the problem with lying; I never remember which lies I’ve told to which people.  “He’s gone.”
    “Gone as in dead?”
    She could barely hear for the pounding of her heart in her ears. “He’s…he’s…”  I’ve got it!   She dropped her head and let her terrified tears spring forth.  When she looked up her eyes were brimming with tears and her lip trembled as she responded with an honest, “I don’t want to talk about this, Mr. Alexander.”  She blinked and the tears slid down her cheeks just as she’d hoped.  “If I’ve done something that you question,” she stood and shoved the chair back, “you’ll need to take it up with Mr. StoneCrow.  I don’t want this to come out wrong, but your line of questioning borders on harassment and I won’t answer any more personal questions from you.  If you need me for anything work related, I’ll be at my desk.”  She turned and stalked to the door, relieved that he didn’t try to stop her. 
    ***
    Gauge felt guilt bite hard.  He’d made his assistant cry and it was only her first week on the job, “Hell!”  He plowed a hand into his hair and thought over their conversation.  She’d lied about where she was from, she’d evaded him on her closeness with Stoney, and she’d successfully deflected him when he’d asked about her husband.  Perhaps the memory of her lost love was too much, but he doubted it.  He hadn’t scented sadness, only fear.  But fear of what? 
    He focused on the door and let his mind seek out what it wanted.  “Stoney?”   He called through the mist.  The Walker nurse responded almost immediately.
    “Mr. Alexander.  What do you need?”
    “I was wondering if you were free this afternoon.  I’d like to speak with you if at all possible.”
    “Concerning?”
    He knew he’d have to play it cool.  Getting answers from a human was one thing, but getting them from a Walker was on a whole other level.  “I’ve got some medical expenses here that need explanation.  Dr. Arkinson deferred to you.  Seems our resident Surgeon is far too