by Amanda Uhl
“I also asked her to give you an advance for the materials you’ll be purchasing. She can give you a few thoughts I had on the design, and we can talk more about it on Wednesday.”
A deep wave of insecurity battered at the gates of her heart. Had fate handed her a man who was obviously well-to-do, well respected, good-looking and smart without a catch? Who was the girl she saw?
“Still there?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. Okay. I’ll look for Sophia to stop by. Is that tomorrow?”
“Yes, she’ll be over in the morning after she gets the kids on the bus.”
“Okay.”
“Grace.”
“Yeah?”
“I miss you.” There was an awkward pause, while doubts assailed her, and Grace thought of what to say. David did not wait for her reply. “I can’t wait to see you on Wednesday.”
Chapter Sixteen
Rescued
8:30 p.m. So, because you’re dating someone you can’t talk to me anymore?
Grace stared at the text.
8:35 p.m. Don’t be silly, she thumbed. We can still talk, but I feel uncomfortable dating two men at once. I’m sorry. I would hope you could respect this and would give me the same courtesy if you were in my shoes.
8:36 p.m. I’d still like to get together. Just as friends. No pressure. We could meet at the coffee shop tonight.
8:37 p.m. I don’t think that’s wise. If things don’t work out, I’ll get in touch. Let’s leave it at that.
8:38 p.m. I’m not much good at that.
Grace sighed. How could she go from being celibate for two years with no good men in sight, and now she had two men in the space of a couple of months?
I’m sorry, she texted back. She didn’t wait for a reply but tossed her cell phone aside. She plopped her head back on the couch. Almost immediately, the attractive man was there in her mind, as if he had been waiting for her to fall asleep. As usual, she fought to keep from looking at him, but he pulled her in slowly with his eyes.
“You are mine.” He told her in his commanding voice. “It does no good to fight. I’ve been waiting for you all day.”
“Why do you want me?”
“You don’t even know your own talents, do you?”
He started walking toward her, and she noticed they were on the beach. The sun was not shining. The sky looked overcast. A bad storm was coming. She struggled to disguise her fear.
“You have something I want,” the stranger told her. He stood in front of Grace now. “If you don’t give it to me, I will take it from you. I could take it slowly and painfully. Or I could take it quickly, and you’ll feel nothing. Which is it to be?”
“It depends on what it is you want.”
“Ah, Grace.” He reached out and grasped her chin almost painfully. “These are not games we play. Although I would like to play them with you. I don’t need to ask your permission for what I want. I can take it. Let me see.”
A strange sensation, like a flutter in her mind, assailed her.
“Ah, yes,” he said. “You’re holding his memories. So clever of you. I think I will take these though.”
Pain tore at her, unearthing a memory. The star. Imagine the star, David had told her, and I will come. Grace fought hard to bring the star into focus. A sharp jolt had her gasping for breath. She struggled to scan the night sky. There it was…a soft pinprick of light, glimmering in the dark.
“David please come,” she begged, although she did not know if he could hear her.
*****
Inside the mind of Jason Langley, David snapped to attention. Grace was in trouble. He needed to go to her immediately. He signaled Roland, who was closest. They had not finished their review of Jason Langley, but it didn’t matter. David would make an immediate exit. The others would have to depart with him. What he was about to do would tax his talents to the max, but he had no option. He fought hard to stay calm and in control. Quickly and efficiently, David summoned the energy he needed and zapped the connection, sending them all back at once. He suspected Langley knew what they were about and had let them enter without resistance. Which most likely meant he had nothing to hide. He hadn’t been waiting to attack them as they had feared.
David did not bother to talk to Geneva but immediately transferred his energy to match Grace’s waves and found himself flying through the portal in her mind, adrenaline pumping. Would he be too late? Her brain immediately welcomed him, as if sensing relief was near.
David searched for the pinpoint of light Grace had created, zeroed in. He was with her in her mind, seeing through her eyes. He spotted his enemy immediately, catching a glimpse of his energy as he ejected himself back through a temporary portal. David fought the urge to comfort Grace and immediately searched for any remnant left behind that might help him track the rogue hacker. As usual, the man had covered his tracks well. Disappointment flooded his system. He turned to Grace. The hacker had stolen some of her memories. He could see the missing spots, like empty file folders in a drawer. Memories she held of him. David hoped vehemently the hacker did not find what he was looking for in the stolen moments.
Cautiously, David brought Grace into sleep. He calmed her erratic pattern and watched as her energy waves fell into a normal rhythm. She would not survive the attack unscathed, but Grace would survive.
David could not stay with her longer. He needed to return to his body immediately. His energy was waning, and he would be trapped. David had already been out much longer than the rules allowed. Wearily, he focused his mind on the portal, but it was difficult to create the amount of energy needed to pull himself through. His first two tries were not sufficient. He wasn’t going to make it. He summoned all of his reserves, gave one last mighty effort, and barely slipped through. Thank God.
Geneva was working frantically over him. She called his name, but it was impossible to respond. He strained to open his eyes and finally managed it, although his eyelids were like iron flaps.
“Oh, dear God, you’re alive!” Geneva’s hands were shaky as they worked to eliminate the deadheads, their name for the terminal energy waves. He nodded but did not have the strength to reply.
Much later, David awoke, disoriented, to the buzzing of his cell phone. Sophia. The call went to voicemail before he could answer. He checked the time. One o’clock in the afternoon. He had slept nearly twenty-four hours. Was Grace okay? He focused on her mind and immediately the portal beckoned, warm and inviting. David breathed a sigh of relief.
Geneva must have sensed he was awake because she joined him. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better.”
“Headache?”
David nodded. He avoided telling her it was worse than normal. His enemy had wasted no time in trying to use whatever information he had gathered to probe his mind. The headache, as well as the fact that he was awake, told him that the bastard had not succeeded yet. Which meant he would be back to steal from Grace again soon. This time, David was determined he would be ready. Grace might not survive another mind assault. The hacker had not been gentle with her. David fought an internal battle, suppressing the anger coursing through his system. There was nothing more deadly than an out-of-control hacker.
“Grab a seat at the table. I’ll get you something to eat.”
David nodded, grateful Geneva spared him one of her lectures, although he knew that would come. His batteries badly needed a recharge. David followed Geneva to the table.
A few hours later, after a shower and a hearty lunch, Geneva shared the news. “Peter was here earlier, but you were sleeping. He needs to talk to you.”
Tension settled in his gut. “I’m off the force.”
Geneva grabbed his hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry, David. I really am. Peter fought for you. I did, too, for what it’s worth, even though I agree your relationship with Grace is detrimental to our success. But the rest of the men don’t feel safe with you at the helm. You aborted a critical mission. You’ve linked with a civi
lian. They’ve asked for a replacement, and Adam has agreed. Peter had no say in the matter. They’re bringing in Percy as your replacement.”
David had known when he left to rescue Grace the ramifications would be severe. The manuals were clear on that point. Section two, item ten was drilled into every new mind hacker’s head from day one of training. Never leave a mind before the end of a mission unless your life or the life of your crew is in jeopardy. Since Grace was not part of his crew, saving her life should not have distracted him from their mission. “I’ll call him.”
David found Peter’s number in his favorites and hit send. Peter picked up immediately. “Did you save her?”
“Yes, but only in the nick of time. Our rogue hacker was not gentle. I’m puzzled why he has not wiped her mind completely. The only thing I can think of is he wants her alive for some reason.”
“David, I know you did what was necessary. I want you to know I don’t blame you. But I very much fear our operation is in trouble with Percy at the helm.”
“You think our friend will be successful.” It was not a question. “What about Brian? He would do it if you asked.”
“Negative. Adam will not release him from his current case. He wants Percy. David, you need to erase Graceʼs memories of you. You know it as well as I do. It’s the only thing that might save you and her.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Our hacker will most assuredly succeed. He’s looking for something that will weaken your mind. I don’t need to tell you of all people what that takes—a deep-rooted emotion of some sort. Do you think he might find that?”
David did not speak. He didn’t need to. Both he and Peter knew what the hacker sought was most assuredly in Grace’s mind.
Inside his chest, his heart thundered. David imagined it cracking in two. He must do what was necessary to protect Grace. He could not let Grace or himself become a puppet to be used at will by a madman. There would be time enough after they caught the hacker to get to know her all over again. Maybe he would even do it better the second time around. If David acted now, they would have a chance to fall in love properly later.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said, and ended the call.
Chapter Seventeen
Truth Revealed
Grace awoke to a knock on the door and the sound of Harvey squawking in his cage. She blinked and tried to remember where she was. Her condo. She had fallen asleep on the couch. She still had on her clothes from yesterday. Grace lifted her head and groaned. Had someone punched her?
The knock on the door continued, a bit more urgently. “Just a minute.”
She called out to buy herself some time, but the effort sent a sharp stab of pain through her forehead. She made her way into the bathroom and glanced at herself in the mirror. There were large dark circles under her eyes. She was not fit for company. She hurriedly brushed her teeth and finger-combed her hair. She would walk over and look out through the peephole. But unless there was another load of fresh flowers from David, Grace wasn’t opening the door.
She changed her mind, though, when she spotted Sophia standing patiently, an envelope in her hand. Maybe a message from David? She opened the door to find out. “Hi. C’mon in. I’m sorry it took me a while. Rough night. What brings you my way?”
“Didn’t David mention I would be stopping by?”
“Not that I recall.” Grace said blankly.
“Oh, that brother of mine. He was supposed to tell you I was coming to drop off a check for your work on the design and for the materials you’ll need to purchase. He’s also drawn out a few suggestions he has for the layout.”
“What design?”
“You know, on his cottage.” Sophia gave her a puzzled look. “He told me to give you an advance on that. I was under the impression he had approved your design.”
“No, I don’t think so.” Grace was fairly certain she wouldn’t forget that conversation. She was anxious to get started.
“Well, I’m going to give you the checks anyway because David asked me to. It’s your call whether you want to cash them or tear them up.” Sophia held out an envelope with Grace’s name on it.
“Okay.” Grace agreed, taking the envelope from her. She would sort it out with David later.
Sophia made no move to leave. Automatically, basic politeness went into play. “Would you like something to drink—a cup of coffee or tea?”
“Sure, coffee would be great.”
“Have a seat.” Grace offered her a spot on the couch and went into the kitchen to prepare the drinks. She came back a few minutes later with two mugs and handed one to Sophia. Grace’s head still hurt, but at least she was capable of moving around.
“I won’t stay long. Is everything okay?”
“Gee, do I look that bad?”
Sophia smiled. “Let’s say you looked better the last time I saw you. What’s the matter? Are you ill?”
Grace took a sip of her coffee. It wasn’t the best cup of instant coffee she had ever tasted, but after the nightmare she had endured, was a great pick-me-up. Sophia was patiently waiting for Grace to answer, a concerned look on her face. She deliberated. Should she lie? How embarrassing to admit that she was having such horrendous night terrors. Sophia would know she was having a nervous breakdown. “I’ve been having a few bad dreams.”
“What sort of dreams?” Sophia’s voice took on an odd tone, and she sat straighter on the couch.
“Well, I know this is going to sound weird. But I keep dreaming of a strange man. He was good-looking the first time I saw him. Now I want to run the other direction.” Grace laughed.
“And do you?” Sophia peered at her intently over her coffee cup.
“I try to, but I can’t. In the dream, he controls me. I have to do what he tells me to do no matter how frightened I am.”
Sophia’s face took on a stern expression. She set her coffee cup on the table and pulled out her cell phone.
Grace continued. “The weirdest part is, when I wake, I don’t feel well. I usually have a headache. It’s gotten so I dread going to sleep at night because I know he’ll be waiting. I don’t suppose you’ve ever experienced anything like this, have you?”
“It’s familiar,” Sophia told her.
Grace nearly dropped her coffee cup. She had expected Sophia to laugh her off or say something lighthearted to make her feel better. Grace had not expected her to identify with her. “How long has this been going on Grace?”
“Nearly a week, I think.”
“Does David know?”
“No, I haven’t told him. I didn’t take it seriously the first couple of times it happened. I sometimes see David in the dreams, too. I’m always so grateful. Whenever he comes, the nasty man disappears.” She gave a shaky laugh. The whole thing was crazy. “I’ve made an appointment for a physical. I’m concerned I may be having a mini-stroke…or something.” The something was the nervous breakdown coming on, but she avoided acknowledging the possibility in front of Sophia.
“How is this familiar to you? Do you think there’s some medical explanation?”
Sophia rose and walked to the couch. She put her coffee cup on the table and sat next to Grace, grasping both her hands. “Grace, what I’m about to tell you is going to come as a shock. I warned David he should have told you a long time ago—we all did.”
“Warned me about what?” Grace put a hand on her aching head. She was having a hard time following the conversation.
“Do you want to know why you’re having these dreams?”
“Yes, I do,” Grace said. Maybe Sophia would tell her she was going crazy, and this was the first sign of it, or Grace had some bizarre illness.
“The man you encountered is real. He’s not a dream man or a figment of your imagination.”
Grace stared at her blankly. She was losing her mind because nothing Sophia was saying was making any sense. She tried for levity. “So, you’re saying I need to get out more?”
“No, I’m saying
you aren’t crazy. The man in your dreams is a real person. That’s why it seems so real to you.”
“You’re kidding me, right?” Grace tried again. “This is a joke? Did David put you up to this?” Insane laughter rose inside her, dangerously near the surface.
“No, this isn’t a joke,” Sophia said calmly. “He’s a real person who’s able to get inside your mind. That’s why he’s able to control you and make you do things you don’t want to. Men like this work for the government. Think of them as highly trained and paid military men who, instead of being trained with guns or knives, have been taught to use their minds as weapons.”
“So this dream man is a real person who’s able to get into my mind?” Grace heard herself asking, her tone slightly hysterical, while some other part of her brain was sorting through the facts. “You expect me to believe there are people in the world who can read minds?”
“Yes, because there are,” Sophia said simply. “But they don’t generally bother with everyday civilians, so it’s strange he’s targeted you.” Sophia paused, while Grace struggled to understand what she was being told.
“The only exception is when they need information. In those cases, they may investigate a civilian target. But they’re sensitive to that and never show themselves or inflict harm. Their goal is to make a quick hit, get the information they want and exit without the target being aware or anyone being hurt. The government doesn’t want people to know about the mind hackers—that’s what they call them—which is why they go to great lengths to make sure no one gets hurt. There are only a few families with the skill, and they’re closely watched.”
Grace struggled to grasp the conversation and make logical sense of it. “Let’s say I believe there’s some maniac out there who has chosen to read my mind.” She spoke slowly. “What could I possibly know that could do him any good?”
“I don’t think it’s what you know. I think it’s who you know.”
Grace frowned. “David?”
Sophia nodded.
“What does David have to do with a power-hungry maniac who haunts my dreams? Are you telling me that’s David?”
