Extrasensory (13 page)

“If you say so.” But Faith couldn’t completely wipe away the smile. “What else can I do for you?”

“Could I bother you for some aspirin?” God, what an idiot she felt like. And on top of everything, her hand was throbbing again.

“Of course. And some ice for that hand, which looks a little swollen. Stitches?” Mia nodded. “Another clumsy accident.”

Faith handed her a plastic bag with ice cubes in it. “Just hold onto this. Then I want you to drink the tea. And tell me about the image you just saw.” Not the one of Dan, Mia reminded herself.

Faith was right about the tea, when Mia finally got to drink it. A few sips and a strange feeling of calm stole over her. She began to feel human for the first time since Dan Romeo walked into her office.

“Tell me what just happened,” Faith urged.

Mia related everything in as much detail as she could remember, including the burning sensation in her arms. “But remember, it was just seconds. That’s what’s so frustrating. I worry that I won’t read the message properly and someone will really get hurt. Most of my life I’ve misinterpreted and made mistakes. People got hurt because of it, yet somehow I’m still driven to communicate what I see.” She shook her head. “Or don’t see.”

“Actually…” Faith watched Mia over the rim of her own mug. “I’m hoping to introduce you to someone who can help you with this.”

“Help me? What do you mean?”

“When Mark called me today after meeting you, one of the things he was very clear on—and worried about—was your inability to control your precognition. To manage it so you could decipher messages better. He knows how that can throw you into distress.”

“That’s always been a problem.” Mia set her cup down. “It’s why I’ve had so much trouble all my life. Getting people to take me seriously anymore is almost harder than reading the images.”

“I’m part of something called The Lotus Circle,” Faith told her, “a group of women who all have psychic powers and have learned to deal with them. Plus, they belong to a worldwide network that keeps in touch through the internet. I utilize their website a lot.

If you’re home alone and your powers are active but you’re unsure of the message, you can write it down, go to this site and try to find someone to help you.” She handed Mia her business card with a web address written on the back. “Just tuck this in your purse in case you need it.”

Mia stared at her. “But that’s unbelievable.”

“They provide support for each other, both mental and spiritual and help each other learn to deal with their gifts.”

Mia snorted. “I’d like to toss mine in the ocean.”

“I felt that way once,” Faith told her. “Mark was the only other person I could communicate with. And the whole thing scared me. But then I talked to Aunt Vivi and she gave me a whole new perspective on things.”

“And they can do the same for me?” Mia asked, putting the card in her wallet.

“Help me harness this…thing…that instead keeps harnessing me?” Faith nodded. “At least give you hints to define what you see. Tomorrow morning I’ll pick you up and take you to my aunt’s house. Two or three other women will be there too, who also have precognitive powers. And we’ll begin the process of learning to deal with your gift.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“Nothing is simple but it won’t be as complicated as you think. We have to move quickly though. Chase’s big deal is this Friday. If someone’s going to steal his baby, we need to get more information from you as to how they plan to circumvent the system and make off with it.”

“Is that really possible?”

“These women can do amazing things.” Faith rose to carry the mugs to the sink as they heard the front door open. “Oh, good. The food’s here. I’m starved, aren’t you?”
Chapter Eight

“We’re agreed then, with the time limit we can’t take any chances?” Khalid asked the caller.

“It has to be done tonight.” How much plainer could it be said? “And we have a short space of only a few hours here.”

“Your partner agrees with this? He was the one who thought we were rushing things.”

“Khalid, right now she’s an unknown quantity. Chase Carpenter and the others aren’t buying into her so-called visions any too quickly but they’re leaving the door open. Phoenix is investigating and we only have four days until our deadline.” There was a pause. “Or have you changed your mind about wanting the device? You know there are others who would gladly step up and take your place.”

“Yes,” he said in a deadly soft voice. “But we both know that I can surpass anyone, which is why you struck your deal with me. Is that not correct?”

“Agreed. So can you help us?”

“Where is she now?” Khalid asked.

“At the home of Faith and Mark Halloran. But the best place to do it would be in the museum garage. Romeo will have to give her a ride back to get her car. Once he’s out of the way, that’s the time.”

Khalid’s disapproval of the rush job hummed over the phone connection. “I’ll have to give you whoever is available. And he’ll expect to be paid in cash.”

“Half in front, the rest on completion. Just as long as he understands there must be no trace of her.”

“I assure you I will get you the best I can within the limited time,” Khalid snapped.

“Fine. When you contact him, give him this number to call me. Be sure to tell him if he screws me over he won’t be around to collect the rest of his money.” Khalid almost smiled. “I’m sure that will inspire him to greater performance.”

“Fine. I’ll be waiting for his call.”

* * * * *

“The Hallorans are wonderful people,” Mia said as she and Dan pulled away from the house.

“Yes, they are. And Faith’s aunt and her friends will help you as much as they did Faith when she needed them.”

She looked out the window and realized they were heading for the interstate. “I need to go back to the museum and get my car. I’ll need it to get to work tomorrow.”

“I have a call in to speak with Dr. Hunter first thing in the morning to get you sprung loose until this is over,” he reminded her.

“But I’d still like to have my own transportation,” she protested.

“Faith said she’s picking you up in the morning and I don’t want you driving by yourself at night. Especially after what happened.”

“Did you check on everyone involved to make sure they’re all right? I keep having this sick feeling I’m missing something.”

Dan nodded. “I also called our team at Carpenter Techtronics. They’ll double their patrols and make sure the entire floor where Oscar is held is completely secure.

Anyway, that building would be hard to burn down.”

“But someone could use a torch to get in or something,” she insisted. The memory of the fire and the heat wouldn’t leave her.

He squeezed her good hand, then dropped it as if realizing he might have been doing it too much. “We’re on the lookout for everything. Trust me. This is what we do.

But I still don’t want you out at night alone.”

Her laugh was shaky. ”Surely you don’t think someone will physically attack me.”

“I don’t leave anything to chance. Ah, here’s our exit.” He pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of a convenience store. Two men were sitting in an SUV

identical to the one they were driving. One of them came over to speak to Dan, who held out his hand to Mia.

“This is Greg. Give him your keys, please. He’s going to pick up your car and take it home for you. Hank, the big lug behind the wheel, will follow him and bring him back to the motel where they’re staying. They’re part of the morning security team.”

“If you think this is all necessary.” She dug in her purse for her keys and handed them over.

“Call me when you’re all locked up tight,” Dan told the man, who nodded.

They drove to Mia’s through the quiet streets of North San Antonio, silence thick in the car. Suddenly she seemed to have run out of topics of conversation. She could feel Dan’s electric presence beside her and the sensual heat that radiated from him like a living thing, and had no idea what to do about its grip on her. At last, thankfully, they pulled into her driveway.

He had just gotten out of the vehicle when his cell phone rang. He unclipped it from his belt and held it to his ear.

“Romeo.”

Mia saw his face tighten and the lines deepen. His hand clenched the cell phone so tightly she thought he might break it in two.

“What is it?” She could feel anxiety bubbling up inside her.

“Change in plans.” He got back into the SUV and backed out of her driveway.

“Wait. Where are we going? I have to get into my house.”

“What you have to do is stay alive.” His voice was grim.

“Excuse me?” She frowned at him.

He was speeding through the darkened streets, his hands gripping the steering wheel like steel talons.

“That was Hank. They went to get your car from the museum garage.” He stopped as if the rest of the words were stuck in his mouth. “Greg got in, turned the key and the car exploded.”

“Oh, my God.” For a moment she thought she might throw up. “Is…”

“Yes. He’s dead.”

“This is my fault.” She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth. “I should have been able to figure this out. In the kitchen with Faith, when I had that flash of heat…”

“Mia.” Dan made an obvious effort to keep his voice even. “There’s only so much you can interpret. No one expected this. You can’t blame yourself for it. Whoever put the bomb in your car is responsible, not you. Do you understand me?”

“Yes but—”

“But nothing. And I’m counting on you to keep it together just a little longer so I can make some calls and then check out the scene. Can you do that for me?” She swallowed past a lump in her throat the size of Rhode Island. “Yes. I can.”
I hope.

“Good girl.”

She said nothing after that. Dan had his cell phone open again and was speaking in low tones to whoever was on the other end. By the time he finished they were at the museum, pulling around to the covered parking in the rear. Two police cars, emergency lights flashing, were already there and uniformed officers were still stringing crime scene tape around the area. Two fire department vehicles had pulled up close to the garage and were spraying down the area.

A black van labeled SAPD Bomb Squad was in the garage a good distance away from the smoking mess that had been Mia’s car.

Dan threw his vehicle into park so abruptly it rocked forward and he leaped out, leaving the door open. “Stay right here,” he ordered Mia, as he ran toward Hank, who was leaning against a pillar looking sick.

Not that she could have moved anyway. She was immobilized with shock.

Someone had actually tried to kill her. Blown up her car. She didn’t know which nauseated her more, the knowledge that at this moment she could be a million pieces of ectoplasm or that an innocent man who was just doing his job had died in her place.

She watched Dan put his arm around Hank’s shoulders and lead him away from the scene. The anger on his face before he turned away was like a living thing. And Hank looked like he wanted to murder somebody. Anybody.

“Miss? Excuse me. You’ll have to move the vehicle away from here.” Mia looked up at the policeman leaning in through the open door, then at the keys still in the ignition. She unbuckled her seat belt, ready to shift to the driver’s side.

“She’s fine.” Mark had materialized from someplace and flashed his Phoenix credentials at the cop. He stuck his head in the car as soon as the cop moved away.

“Stay right here. You’re out of the way. Can I get you something, Mia? Water?

Anything?”

She shook her head, rubbing her arms and trying to control the shivers racking her body. The whole scene had a nightmare quality. “This is my fault, Mark. I can’t read the images well enough.”

“Okay, let’s put that to rest, please? This is
not
your fault. This is the work of someone very evil.”

“But if I hadn’t… If I didn’t…”

Dan was back at the car, his face grim. He reached in and cupped her chin. His eyes were warm and reassuring, difficult she knew under these circumstances. “Listen to me.

I’m so angry and upset about Greg I can hardly keep myself under control. But I’m damn glad you weren’t the one in the car. We’ll find this person, Mia. Don’t take this on your shoulders.”

“I’ll try,” she whispered, still shaking.

An ambulance had pulled in just behind them. Dan opened the passenger side door. “How about letting the EMT take a look at you?”

“No. Just…take care of what you need to. I’m okay.”

But she wasn’t and they both knew it. Only she wasn’t about to make herself a burden when there were other more important things to attend to.

Mark assessed her with his gaze, frowning. “Wait just a sec.” Mia watched him jog to his car and return in a minute with a blanket, which he wrapped around her.

She smiled at him gratefully. “Thank you. I don’t know why I feel so cold but I can’t stop shivering.”

“Shock. Your system’s gone haywire.” He checked his watch. “Hang on just a little longer, okay? Then we’ll get you settled for the night and tomorrow Faith is hooking you up with Aunt Vivi. She’ll be a big help to you.”

“All right.”
If I last that long.

The air was heavy with the stench of burnt rubber and metal and the chemicals sprayed to coat the area. She was only glad that this had happened long after the museum closed for the day, so hers had been the only car around.

Through the windshield she saw a luxury sedan pull into the area, disgorging both Chase and Joy. Chase immediately buttonholed Dan, who Mia could see was holding onto his temper by a very thin thread. Chase was ranting nonstop, pointing at Dan’s SUV.

At me. I’m sure he’s pointing at me.

She watched as Dan walked Chase to a corner of the garage that was free of people, while activity eddied around them. She knew how upset he was about Greg but got a strong impression he was still doing what he always did—attempting to establish an air of calm and keep the client under control.

Joy leaned against the car and stood with her arms folded across her chest, anger sharp in the lines of her body. In powder blue slacks and sweater, with her long, pale blonde ponytail, Mia thought the woman looked too angelic to be as caustic as she seemed. But she’d been hostile at the meeting and now rage simmered around her like a visible aura.