Like the time he'd touched a co-worker's arm and envisioned money, only for the company to discover a week later that the co-worker had been embezzling funds.
Or the time Ben had touched a pawn shop necklace he'd wanted to buy for his girlfriend at the time, only to see images of a dead blonde woman with a knife in her back. A few days later, he saw the same woman on the news. She'd been stabbed in the back multiple times, her body discovered on the kitchen floor by the weekly cleaning company she'd hired. When he reported the necklace to the police, they questioned him for hours, curious to learn how he'd recognized the necklace as the victim's. The next thing he knew, Ben was the key suspect in the investigation.
And that's how he met Matthew. Soon after, Ben joined the CFBI, enlisted in the PSI Division, and he'd never looked back.
He rubbed his face, which only made his fingertips hypersensitive.
What would I see if I touched Natassia?
They had an unspoken rule—gloves on, always, even when they were intimate. But one day, they may be able to break that rule. Matthew had a team of scientists working on a special hand spray that would allow Ben to touch everything, yet it would block the sensations that triggered his visions.
He smiled. He couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
Slipping his hands back into the gloves, he played a few games on Facebook while keeping an eye on the screens before him, which showed no movement in the forest. Once in a while, he checked for a signal from Jasi or Brandon's 'coms. Both were silent.
Just after two in the morning, the monitor beeped. The cameras had picked up movement. He deactivated the warning so the noise wouldn't wake Natassia and watched as six CFBI agents—identified by fluorescent lettering on the back of their jackets—approached the forest gravesites. He watched as the agents spread out around the cordoned off crime scene. They took positions several feet from one another and sat down on their backpacks. One of the men spotted the camera Natassia had attached to a cedar trunk, and he waved.
Ben watched them for a while but grew bored after about fifteen minutes. What was the point? Only an idiot would go near a crime scene surrounded by CFBI agents. That left only Jasi and Brandon to worry about, and he was quite positive they were sleeping.
His watch read: 3:22. It was almost time to switch off with Natassia, but she was sleeping so soundly he didn't want to wake her.
A red light flashed on the monitor. One of the cameras on the perimeter of the fence had caught something. Two figures moved swiftly through the trees.
He tried zooming in, but the figures vanished. Shit.
A minute later he saw a slightly larger figure following the first two. Jasi! He recognized her movements, how she took cover behind trees while keeping her prey in sight. She held her right hand firmly at her side, weapon drawn.
"Natassia," he called out.
Natassia jerked awake and sat up. "What's wrong?"
"Jasi's tracking someone in the woods."
Natassia moved to his side. "Is Brandon with her?"
"No, she's alone. I'm going after her. I need you to watch the cameras. Make sure everything is recorded. I don't want any surprises."
"You want me to call Brandon?"
"No. We don't know she's in any real danger, and last thing we want to do is piss off Christiansen and his clan. Let's keep this quiet for now. Chances are someone saw her and is curious what she's doing out so late."
"I'm wondering the same thing."
He secured an earpiece to his ear. "I'll use Jasi's tracker to find her."
All CFBI agents had a microscopic tracking device, compliments of nanotechnology, implanted in their navels. These tiny computers used a GPS and mapping system similar to one found in a modern vehicle, only far more detailed and always up-to-date. Unfortunately, trackers were most often activated when an agent had gone missing. Sometimes it was the only way they could identify the unrecognizable body of someone in the CFBI.
He shivered. That won't be the case tonight.
He keyed in Jasi's identification code, and his data-com brought up a map of the area, with a small green light indicating her position. "Got her."
Natassia hauled open the van door and passed him a flashlight and his gun. "Need anything else?"
"I'm good. Let me know if anyone else decides to take a stroll through the woods at three-thirty in the morning."
"I will. Stay safe, Ben."
He jumped down from the van and took in the bleakness of the night. The sky was overcast. No moon or stars. No streetlights. Not one light on in any of the cabins.
For a second he felt lost in time and space.
He turned on the flashlight. Inhaling deeply, he strode toward the trees.
15
With only her flashlight to guide her, Jasi eyed the derelict barn with its peeling red paint. Situated at the northeastern edge of the property, the small building backed onto the razor wire fence.
She veered around the corner of the building and surveyed the other side.
The ATVs were nowhere to be seen.
Has someone taken them into the woods?
If that were the case, Ben and Natassia would notify her.
She released a pent-up breath. The ATVs must be inside.
The doors were unlocked, so she pushed on one. It belched in mutiny, but she was able to get it open without waking the entire community. Standing in the doorway, she shone the flashlight over the various humps and bumps. As neglected as the exterior, the interior of the barn accommodated various crop machines, most in a state of rust and disrepair.
To the left of a plow sat the two ATVs.
She took a quick look over her shoulder then proceeded into the barn. From the wild mewing that came from the loft above, she deduced that a few resident barn cats had made the place their home. She hoped that was all that resided here.
She removed an evidence kit from her backpack and crouched next to one of the ATVs. With sterile disposable plastic tweezers, she flaked off the damp soil particles trapped between the treads of the front tire and dropped them into the evidence bag. Sealing the bag, she wrote the serial number of the ATV on the front. She repeated her actions with the second vehicle. She shone the flashlight over every inch of the ATVs, hoping to find other trace evidence—like blood. Both machines were clean. She swabbed the seats, clutch handle and throttle for DNA and secured each in its own labeled container. She'd have an agent bring the samples directly to Ops in the morning.
She was about to exit the barn when she heard footsteps. Ducking behind the door, she waited. Soft murmurs sounded. Whoever it was, they weren't alone.
Shit.
Slowly sliding one hand beneath her jacket, she released the snap on the shoulder harness and withdrew the Beretta. Better to be safe than dead.
The footsteps began to move away.
She crept toward the doorway. A quick glance told her there were two people moving around to the back of the barn. With her back against the barn, she edged closer.
Crrrack!
She froze.
Not a gunshot, Jasi. Tree branch.
She heard the distinct sound of one person hushing another as she continued inching her way alongside the barn. When she reached the rear of the barn, no one was there. She'd lost them.
Determined to pick up the trail, she shone the light over the fence. The section directly behind the barn revealed an opening big enough for an average-sized adult to climb through, and it was completely obscured from view. From the other side of the fence, she heard soft rustling noises in the bushes.
Gotcha!
She climbed through, keeping a watchful eye on the woods before her. Nothing moved, and she could no longer hear the crunching of footsteps. Moving with haste, she slipped through the forest, eager to catch up to her prey.
She spotted them several yards ahead. Two shadowy figures, one slightly taller than the other. They were smoking. She could see the fiery end of a cigarette as it passed between them.
What are they doing out here in the middle of the night?
She looked at her watch. 3:27.
With furtiveness, she followed them, staying a few yards behind at all times. The deeper she proceeded into the forest, the more she kicked herself for not bringing Brandon. She resisted the urge to call him on her 'com. She wasn't in any danger. At least not yet.
One of the shadows ahead giggled. This was followed by ardent kissing sounds.
Good God. They're making out.
Somewhat relieved, Jasi ducked behind a spruce. This wasn't a case of something deadly and nefarious after all. Then again, why would anyone from Sanctuary sneak off into the woods unless their union wasn't blessed by Father Jeremiah?
She moved around the tree, her feet trampling the dry brush below.
"Who's there?" a young male voice demanded.
Eric. The boy from the river.
Jasi stepped forward just as someone else darted past her. Rather than follow the fleeing shadow, she kept her flashlight aimed on Eric's chest.
"You're that cop," he said, his face twitching with panic.
"CFBI, actually."
"What are you doing out here?"
"I could ask you the same thing." She moved the light over him, thankful to see he carried no weapons—only a cigarette.
"Couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. What's it to ya?"
She took a few steps closer. "No one's supposed to go past the fence. We both know that."
"I know what to do if I come across a bear." He sneered at her. "Do you?"
She shrugged and raised her gun to her hip. Eric clamped his mouth shut.
"Who was with you, Eric?"
He shrugged. "Nobody."
"I saw someone else."
"You saw no one but me. Got it?" There was fear in his voice now.
"Does Father Jeremiah know about your late night strolls?"
"You can't say anything to him," Eric cried out, hands raised, beseeching.
"Who are you trying to protect?"
Silence.
"Who, Eric?"
"Just a friend. I can't tell you who."
A waft of pungent smoke entered Jasi's nostrils, and she coughed. The kid wasn't smoking regular tobacco.
"You know pot's illegal, right?"
"What pot?" Eric tossed the joint on the ground, pulverizing it with his running shoe.
She let out a frustrated sigh. "Perhaps we should go visit Father Jeremiah and discuss the ramifications of illegal substance abuse."
"No! Please…you don't understand…"
She softened her voice. "Then help me understand, Eric."
Eric's gaze floundered back and forth as he visibly struggled with what to tell her.
"Listen, kid, I'm here on a more serious matter than pot and kissing," she said. "And I have no intention of turning you in to Father Jeremiah if you don't give me reason to, but if you and your…uh, friend…have been wandering these woods at night, you may have seen something. Something we need to know."
"I seen nothing. I swear."
"What about your friend?"
"Nothing either."
"Were you out here the night of the murder?"
"You mean the incinerator chick?"
Jasi's jaw twitched as she eyed him.
"No, we all stayed inside," Eric said. "Bear on the loose."
"Yet we have the same warning tonight, and here you are."
"No hunters out tonight."
She flicked a look around her. "How did you know that?"
"No lights in the trees. I looked out the window first."
"Did you see lights in the trees that night?"
The kid shrugged. "Maybe." When she stepped closer, he said, "Okay, okay! Yes, I saw lights."
"How many?"
"I dunno. Maybe like four."
The crackling of brush told them that someone was coming.
"I gotta go!" Eric said, scurrying off into the trees.
Minutes later, Jasi had a bright light in her face.
"Jasi!" Ben hissed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. What are you doing out here?"
"I saw you on the monitor, tracking two people. Did you find them?"
She gave a nod. "One of the boys—Eric—and his girlfriend."
"Who's that?"
"Well, from the pot they were smoking, I'd say Amanda. Her mother, Hannah, has a prescription, and I'm sure it's not difficult for Amanda to confiscate some."
"I thought this Amanda girl was engaged to one of the older men."
"You can't stop love. Even if it's puppy love." She grabbed his arm and steered him in the direction of Sanctuary. "Let's head back."
"You heard about the multiple graves we found?"
"Yeah. You and Natassia ID the bodies yet?"
"Still working on it. Natassia got a read off a female vic. And I had a few flashes from a male."
"What did you two see?"
He filled her in.
"You think the button came from the killer?" she asked.
"I think it came from someone who was there when he was buried, someone who…" Ben went quiet. He tapped his earpiece, indicating he was listening to something. After a few seconds, he whispered, "Shit."
"What's wrong?"
He beckoned her to duck low behind a cluster of bushes and they turned off both flashlights. "Someone else is in the woods, watching us."
"You sure?"
"Natassia saw him on a camera about five yards from here."
"Who?"
"No ID. As far as she can tell, it's one of the men."
"What do you want to do?"
"Catch him, and find out what the hell he's doing out here."
She raised her gun. "I'm ready if you are."
With flashlights aimed on the forest floor, they headed in opposite directions, intending to circle around and corner their quarry. Above them, the sky had lightened, casting a gray sheen over everything. Another hour or so and it would be sunrise.
She wove between trees and bushes, then stopped. Someone was ahead of her. He'd stopped moving, but she could hear his breathing.
"CFBI!" she hollered. "We know you're there. Come on out."
"Who's out here?"
The beam of Jasi's flashlight captured a masculine face framed by black hair streaked with gray. She recognized him as one of the drummers. His wide brow, obsidian eyes and prominent cheekbones suggested a Native Indian heritage.
She skimmed the light over him, pausing when she noticed his hands were crammed into the pockets of a lightweight jacket. "Slowly take your hands out of your pockets."
The man frowned. "You think I have a weapon?"
Ben stepped from behind a cedar. "Do what she says."
The man withdrew his hands inch by inch and raised them chest high. "See?"
"Who are you?" Ben demanded.
"Name's Henry." He flicked his chin at Jasi. "She can search me if she wants. I don't mind."
Ben ignored him. "What are you doing out here?"
"Saw the lights."
"So you came to investigate?"
"Saw someone leaving Sanctuary grounds and—"
"I thought anyone could leave when they want," Jasi cut in.
Henry waved his hands deliberately, and when she gave a nod, he lowered them. "Look, part of my responsibility is ensuring the safety of everyone at Sanctuary. We already had one unfortunate death."
"Yes, very unfortunate," she muttered.
"Woods aren't safe."
"I know, I know. A bear is causing havoc."
Henry gave a nod. "You shouldn't be wandering around out here. Neither of you. The bear has killed before." He stared into her eyes. "Hate to see you become its next dinner, Agent McLellan."
She shivered. Was this a subtle threat?
"How'd you know my name?" she asked.
"Father Jeremiah told us about you two. We haven't met before, but I saw you at the barbecue. And after, at the sweat lodge. You find it enlight
ening?"
"I found it hot." No way I'm going to share my visions of Emily with him.
Henry considered this for a minute. "Things can get hotter if you poke your nose where it doesn't belong."
Ben stepped in between them. "While there's an official investigation being conducted, we belong. Don't forget that."
"Yes, sir, Mr. CFBI man," Henry sneered.
"Let's all head back," Jasi said.
"I'll continue my walk, Agents. I'm sure I saw more lights than yours."
She grabbed Henry's elbow. "There's no one else here." Steering him towards Sanctuary, she added, "And it's your responsibility to make sure we get back safely."
The man remained quiet.
Following Henry, Jasi made a mental note to check the guy out thoroughly. She glanced at Ben, lifted a brow in Henry's direction, and he nodded. He was thinking the same thing.
They reached the fence and stepped through the gap.
"By the way, Agent McLellan," Henry said, "what were you doing in this barn earlier?"
"Just looking around."
"This barn's past its usefulness. We've been meaning to tear it down, but nature's beating us to it." He gave the barn a cursory glance, then looked at Jasi. "Would be a shame if it collapsed while someone was in it.
Another not-so-veiled threat?
When they reached Christiansen's lodge, Henry said, "Have a good evening, Agents." He took off across the field in the direction of one of the cabins.
Ben let out a grunt. "He's not the friendliest fellow."
"I'll keep an eye on him." Jasi said. "We can question him more thoroughly once we get his background check."
"I have a question for you. What in God's name are you doing leaving Sanctuary without Brandon?"
"I thought I'd get samples from the ATVs, and I'd return to the cabin safe and sound. I wasn't planning on venturing into the woods." She gave him an innocent smile. "Until I saw Eric and Amanda, and…well…you know the rest."
"Go to bed."
"Goodnight, Ben. And thanks for having my back."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll always have your back."
She watched him scurry across the field and jump the front gate, thankful that Matthew had made Ben her team leader so long ago. Though Matthew had helped refine her psychic skills, Ben had trained her to become a better CFBI agent. They'd been friends a long time.
Divine Trilogy Page 63
