Trouble In Mind (Interstellar Rescue Series Book 2)

by Donna S. Frelick

  Sam’s wife and Rescue partner wrapped her arms around him. “Ethan, I’m so sorry. How are you?”

  “Rayna. I’m glad you’re here.” He ignored the pain as she squeezed his battered ribs, taking the warmth she offered him.

  Sam evaded the police officer at last and replaced Rayna’s with a hug of his own. “We bent the jump frame a little to save some time.” The big man gripped him hard. “We got here as soon as we could.”

  Ethan dragged in a breath against the fresh pain and stood back, his muscles rigid with the need to control his emotions. He nodded to show he understood and was grateful, not trusting his voice to say what he felt.

  Someone had come in with Sam and Rayna. A tall man, lean and dark, he stood off to one side and watched with somber patience, waiting for them to have time for him. Ethan straightened and caught the man’s gaze.

  Sam followed his stare. He slipped a hand around Ethan’s upper arm, a gesture both comforting and gently controlling.

  “Want you to meet a friend. He’s here to help us.” He lifted his chin and the man came closer. Ethan himself was over six feet tall, and Sam was easily 6’3”, but the man seemed somehow larger than either of them. Ethan realized at once that it wasn’t his height, which was only slightly above his, or the fact that his frame was packed with muscle, or that he moved like a fighter.

  This man had something else—a darkness that was deeper than the pantherish black of his hair or the mahogany glitter of his eyes. There was something in him, a dense inner core, not of cruelty, but of ruthlessness, as if he were a weapon that, once released, could never be called back.

  “This is Gabriel Cruz,” Sam was saying. “Gabriel, Ethan Roberts.”

  Ethan shook the man’s hand, found it strong and warm. Ethan knew immediately why the man had come. And he realized maybe he needed a weapon like Gabriel Cruz.

  “Do you also work for Rescue, Mr. Cruz?”

  “Occasionally.”

  “And you think you can find my wife and son.”

  The corners of Gabriel’s mouth quirked upwards. “A man who comes right to the point.”

  “Gabriel is the best extractor in the galaxy.” Rayna laid a hand on Ethan’s arm. “He can find anybody, anyplace, anytime, and bring them home. I’ve seen him do it.”

  Ethan considered him. The police weren’t going to like the fact that he’d brought in someone from the outside. He himself was already a suspect. What was this going to look like? And once they’d unleashed this bloodhound, would he answer to anyone’s command?

  “You don’t trust me, Dr. Roberts.” Gabriel’s gaze held his.

  Ethan didn’t look away. “I don’t know you, Mr. Cruz.”

  The man shrugged. “There are people who have been of my acquaintance for years who still don’t know me, Doctor. It’s not necessary for the work I do. Sam and Ray, on the other hand, are my friends.”

  Ethan nodded. “They’re good friends to have. And because I trust them, I have to believe you can help me. Can you help me?”

  “Yes.” No hesitation. No fear.

  Ethan watched the man for a moment longer, found Gabriel returning his consideration evenly, then dropped his eyes. In contrast to the extractor’s confidence, Ethan felt so tired, so defeated. He hurt in so many places, only some of them physical. He fell into the familiar comfort of the armchair beside his desk and ran his hands through his hair.

  Sam and Gabriel found places on the couch and tried not to make it obvious they were watching him.

  Rayna perched on the desk beside Ethan. “When was the last time you ate anything?”

  He shook his head. His stomach lurched just thinking about it.

  Sam’s eyes lit up. “Oh, damn! Gabriel, did you know they bring the food right to you? Pizza! God, I love pizza! Ethan, what place is good, man?”

  “Check the menu by the phone.” Ethan had to smile. He noticed even Gabriel was grinning at Sam’s enthusiasm. The flash of white teeth in the tan skin of his face transformed him, softened him, subsuming the killer below the man that held that killer in control. A killer that Ethan now realized was engaged in service to his family.

  “It’s a very good thing we do not live on this planet of wonders.” Rayna sighed. “Sam would weigh 150 kilos.”

  “Dr. Roberts, you told Sam and Ray you think you know who took your wife and son.” Ethan felt the intensity of Gabriel’s gaze. “Tell me about these people.”

  “Gabriel, let’s skip the titles, okay? Call me Ethan.” He tried to focus his mind. “How much do you know about Asia and Jack’s history with the Grays?”

  “I know Asia was in a labor camp on Gallodon IV for several months before Ray got her out.” Gabriel settled back on the couch as he spoke. “I know Jack was rescued as part of the operation to take out the Del Origa processing facility. I know they both have a resistance to the deep psychological programming the Grays use on their slaves to keep them docile.”

  “The same kind of programming Rescue uses to help returned slaves reintegrate into their home societies.” Ethan couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice.

  “A necessary evil.” Gabriel’s expression was carefully neutral.

  “So I keep telling myself.” Ethan wanted to choke on the words. How much of this was his fault? He and Asia were still involved with Rescue, still helped settle returnees back on Earth by making sure they had no memory of their alien abductions. If the two of them had just refused that job and disappeared when they had the chance, would this even be happening now?

  Rayna’s hand was gentle on his arm. “Ethan, you know how much good you do for people, how much they—and we—need your help. Hiding wouldn’t have helped Asia and Jack. They would have found you eventually.”

  Gabriel brought him back on track. “Who would have found you?”

  Ethan allowed a tiny smile to lift his lips. “Asia calls them the Men in Black. Black ops government agents with an interest in extraterrestrial intelligence. About 18 months ago a group of them took Asia, but Sam and Ray and I rescued her and dismantled the organization. We thought that was the end of it.”

  “We should have known it went further than the two research facilities we found,” Sam explained. “There are many more of these people out there, working with unlimited resources. They want what Asia has—first-hand knowledge of life on other planets and an ability to resist alien technology. They must be the ones who have taken her.” A look passed between Sam and Gabriel that Ethan could not interpret.

  Gabriel looked back at Ethan. “You’ve told the authorities nothing of this, I take it.”

  “As if they would believe any of it.” Ethan gave him a grim smile. “But even they aren’t dumb enough to think there’s no reason for a kidnapping like this. They suspect I’m involved with drugs or gambling or worse.”

  “And your son?”

  He was suddenly unable to speak around the emotion gripping his throat. “Rayna brought him to us five months ago, after the raid on Del Origa. I don’t think the ones who want Asia know about his ability. I mean, how could they? They identified Asia from her psychological records. We were careful to protect Jack.”

  Gabriel considered. “Probably just collateral damage.”

  Anger flared white-hot, and Ethan gripped the arms of his chair. “What did you say?”

  Rayna put both hands on Ethan’s shoulders. “Ethan, he didn’t mean—”

  “I’m sorry. Poor choice of words.” The extractor held out his hands in apology. “I just meant they probably grabbed him by mistake.” He immediately switched gears. “What kind of vehicle did they use?”

  “Shit!” Ethan got to his feet and began an awkward pacing, though the agony in his knee nearly took him to the floor. “I don’t remember anything. They hit me in the back of the head. Then they drugged me. I insisted on a drug test—the results aren’t back yet, but I’m sure I was drugged. I was out for two or three hours.”

  He came to a stop and turned to see Gabriel staring
at him.

  “You fought them.” The man inclined his head at Ethan’s knee and his hands.

  “It didn’t do any good.”

  “They didn’t have any weapons?”

  Ethan’s brows came together in puzzlement, his heart still pounding. “I don’t—that doesn’t make sense, does it?”

  “I can help you remember.”

  Ethan stared at him. “Hypnosis?”

  The other man shook his head. “It’s much more . . . pro-active . . . than that. Some people would say invasive.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Rayna looked up at him. “Gabriel is a touch telepath, Ethan. A very good one.”

  He heard the words. At some level they even made sense. But Ethan remained unable to understand what she was telling him.

  “A touch telepath?”

  “I read minds.” Gabriel’s tone was matter-of-fact. “But only if we’re skin-to-skin. And only if we both agree.” His lips curved. “All the intimacy of sex—without the payoff.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  The Nashville bungalow where Ethan and Asia Roberts lived was easy to find, even at an hour of the early morning when nothing but the streetlights were on to show the way. Two Metro Police Department squad cars, a deputy sheriff’s vehicle from Cheatham County, a black sedan with a TBI sticker and a gray one with a Bureau shield crowded the street and the driveway. If that weren’t enough, the house itself was still blazing with lights. Lana couldn’t help a small sigh of sympathy for the poor man who’d been beaten senseless as his wife and child were taken and was pinned down now in the middle of all that glare.

  She pulled up to the curb and killed the engine, trying not to let her own energy die with the sound of the motor. She reached for the 7-11 cup and downed the last bitter gulp of cold coffee to brace her for the next round. The boys inside would have a fresh pot brewing, and she could fill up if she had to stay. She’d check in to make sure the phones were set up, see how Roberts was reacting, then head home for a few hours of sleep.

  Rick met her at the door, looking like a toddler who’d been allowed to stay up late for a grownup party. “Tellmer’s here. He’s got the phone lines all set, but nothing’s come in yet.”

  Lana nodded. “You look like shit. We keeping you up past your bedtime?”

  The youngster rubbed at his jaw. “Oh, uh, I didn’t get much sleep last night either, I guess.”

  “Welcome to my world.” She pushed past him into the entry. “Where’s Roberts?”

  “Vic’s in the big office there. He’s got some friends in with him.”

  Lana turned on him. “Hey. Once we get a name for someone, we use it. This guy’s name is Ethan Roberts. Dr. Roberts to you. He’s had the day from hell, and so far we are not making things any better for him. We can at least show him some respect.”

  “Come on.” Rick’s mouth twisted with disgust. “You gotta like the guy for this thing. He probably owes somebody money and they’re holding the wife and kid until he pays up. Maybe he gambles or something—”

  Lana jacked the kid up by an elbow and backed him down the hall until he slammed against a closed door at the end. She kept her voice low, but there was no question of her emotional level.

  “One: we have no evidence that he’s involved. Two: if we did have any evidence, we wouldn’t go blabbing it around that we know. Three: there is such a thing as innocent until proven guilty. Four: I’m tired of your shit-for-brains attitude. So keep your mouth shut and your ears open and you might make it through probation. Are you hearing me?”

  Anger flashed in the kid’s eyes, but he had little choice. “Yes, ma’am.”

  She let the cloth of his windbreaker slip from her fingers and stepped back. She noticed she was shaking. Must be the caffeine, she thought. Didn’t really mean to shrink-wrap his tiny little balls. “I’m going to see Dr. Roberts.”

  Roberts was waiting by the bay windows in the former living room that served as his office, staring out at the night. A woman and another man Lana didn’t know were sitting on the couch that dominated the room, bookended by two cats. She noted those things, but only as peripheral details, bits and pieces she would collect and store in case they became useful later. Because in the center of her consciousness, at the focus of all her attention, was the man who rose from behind the doctor’s desk. On one level, her training was still operational—the man was about 6’2”, black hair, brown eyes, athletic build, possibly Hispanic, black tee shirt, dark jeans.

  But, my God, that said nothing of the impact of the man. From the slow thud of her heart in her chest, she would have to start all over with a totally different kind of description to come close to explaining how he affected her. The muscles of his chest and shoulders moved under the silky fabric of his shirt like a jaguar’s under its fur. His eyes regarded her with an intensity that lit her from the inside and sent the warmth to her face in a rush. The smooth honey of his skin made her want to touch—everywhere. And she didn’t dare think about what might be inside those jeans.

  Lana swallowed against the sudden dryness of her throat. Get a grip, girl, she admonished herself. You’re supposed to be a professional. She forced herself to ignore him, though he stood no more than an arm’s length away, and spoke to the battered man by the window instead.

  “Dr. Roberts?” She was pleased to note that there was no sign of a tremor in her voice. Thank you, God.

  “Agent Matheson.” Roberts turned from the window and limped in her direction. “Any news?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing substantive. I do have a few things to tell you.” She glanced at the others in the room. “Do you mind if we speak in private?”

  “These are my close friends.” He nodded at each of them in turn. “Sam and Rayna Murphy, Gabriel Cruz. Whatever you would say to me, you can say in front of them.”

  Lana frowned. “I understand your need for support at a time like this, Doctor, believe me I do. But for the good of your wife and son, the fewer people who know the details of our investigation, the better.”

  Roberts opened his mouth to protest, but Cruz stepped in and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, Ethan.” His voice was quiet and deep, with an accent she couldn’t place. “It’s time we all got some sleep anyway. I’ll be back in the morning, when the drugs have worn off. We can talk again then, okay?”

  It seemed to Lana that Roberts wasn’t particularly looking forward to that conversation, but after a moment he agreed. She flicked her eyes in Cruz’s direction, meaning only to acknowledge his cooperation. She found him watching her intently, some inner amusement lifting the corners of his mouth. Without the involvement of her brain, her own traitorous lips smiled at him in response.

  “Thank you.” She shocked herself when the words came out in a murmur more appropriate to a bedroom than a . . . well, than anyplace else.

  The man’s smile widened. “Certainly, Agent Matheson. Good night.”

  Lana didn’t trust herself to say anything further. This time she kept herself to a nod.

  The Murphys both hugged their friend and promised to see him again in the morning, then the three of them found their way out through the maze of officers in the hall. Roberts looked like they had taken the last of his strength with them when they left. He dropped into the armchair near the desk and scrubbed at his face with a shaking hand.

  “I just wanted to tell you that the electronic surveillance is all set on your phones.” Lana watched his reaction, which was minimal. “When the kidnappers call, we’ll be in position to trace the call back to its source.”

  Roberts lifted his eyes to look at her. “You’re assuming they will be asking for a ransom.”

  “That’s what we expect.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  “Dr. Roberts.” She paused, searching for the right words. “Right now we don’t have a lead on the vehicle they’re driving. We don’t know the direction they may be headed. We don’t even have a descript
ion of the men who took your family.” Lana paced a few steps, ran a hand over her forehead. “We have to hope they do call us. Otherwise, we’re going to have one hell of a time finding them.”

  Interstate 40, West of Memphis, Tennessee, Earth, Sector Three

  Asia Roberts opened her eyes and saw a single square of light above her: a tinted skylight showing a patch of clear, moonlit sky and little else. The silver light from above was enough to show her the empty interior of the van—metal walls, a thinly carpeted floor, a solid sliding window into the cab, now shut tight. The van was moving, the engine a loud growl through the frame, the tires a rhythmic whirr and tick beneath the floor.

  She tried to move, an effort that brought on a wave of dizzy pain and nausea. She recognized the dry mouth and metallic aftertaste of the sedative that had been used to drug her. The dose had been a big one, judging from the headache and the night sky. It had been early afternoon when they’d been taken.

  Slowly she sat up. “Jack?”

  No answer. Her heart exploded in her chest. “Jack!” Her head swiveled to look for him, though the sudden movement was like shaking a skull full of broken glass. There! In the corner! She scrambled across the floor to him.

  “Jack, answer me, baby. Are you okay?” Boy-sized arms shot out to circle her neck as she pulled Jack into her lap and rocked him close.

  “There you are! Were you hiding?” She kept her tone as light as she could, refusing to let him sense her fear. Jack had known enough of terror in his short life. He had just gotten a taste of what love and normalcy could be like before this second trauma had struck. Damn it, how could this have happened? They were supposed to have been done with all of this!

  Asia stroked his hair. “You were very brave at the river, Jack. A fighter, like Daddy. There were a lot of bad guys, and we lost the first round, but Daddy will find us and get us back home, don’t you worry.”