by Victoria Sue
“And you are?” Finn pressed.
Jonathan had stood up, but Marie stubbornly stared down at the table.
“Assistant Principal Jenkins,” she replied immediately. “Jonathan and Marcus do not have parental permission to be out of class.”
“But Principal Harvey needs our help,” Sam put in smoothly, “and to do that, we have to meet the children concerned.”
Marie very noisily sucked juice through her straw.
“Then you may interview the children in my office with a suitable adult present,” she countered and flicked another dismissive glance at the group. Jonathan took a couple of steps toward her. Marie still didn’t move. “Marcus,” she repeated, the warning clear in her voice.
“I don’t answer to that name,” Marie said defiantly.
“And I have told you repeatedly, we can only accept name additions with parental permission.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. Smugness oozed through the woman’s every word like syrup. It was obvious Marie’s mom wasn’t supportive of her child, and that the bitch in front of him was milking that excuse to fund the power trip she was currently on. He flicked his eyes at Vance. Vance was staring at the table as if he didn’t care, which Sam knew was estupido. Sam jerked in shock. It had been a long time since he had heard his abuela’s voice in his head.
A breeze ruffled the paper napkins on the corner of the table, and Sam looked to see who had opened the door. No one.
Dr. Rayner stood up, and Kyle copied him. He put a hand out to Finn and nodded to Sam and Vance. It was obvious when the same courtesy wasn’t extended to Mrs. Jenkins. “I would be very interested in meeting you all again as soon as possible.” He glanced briefly at Mrs. Jenkins. “However, Kyle will not be transferring here after all. I will be in touch, gentlemen.” And with that he steered his son out of the building, and they both walked toward the parking lot.
“Marcus,” Mrs. Jenkins repeated in warning, not seeming to care about the impression she had made on Dr. Rayner. “You were instructed to return to class. Do you want another detention?”
The napkins flew off the corner of the table, and every hair on the back of Sam’s neck stood on end. There were no doors open, and he looked up at the ceiling vents. No sudden rush of air hit his face.
Finn stood. “Marie, honey, how about we finish for today and I can drop by and see your mom. Introduce myself properly.” He gestured toward Vance. “I know another mom of an enhanced I can bring with me to make her feel more at ease.”
Sam nodded. He’d only seen Connie once when he’d picked Vance up before they went to Baton Rouge, but Vance’s mom—and he knew Finn meant her—would be perfect. Vance had bent down and was picking up the napkins. Marie looked up at Finn, her gaze hopeful.
Mrs. Jenkins laughed. “Marcus’s mom has expressly requested that we don’t indulge her son in these flights of adolescent fantasy.”
Wind whipped around the table, and Mrs. Jenkins frowned, her supercilious expression turning alarmed.
“Marie.” Finn sat down and reached out a hand. “It’s okay.”
Finn’s voice was very soothing, and Sam caught the look Vance and Finn shared. He glanced at Marie. Had she knocked the napkins over? But I didn’t see her move.
Vance stood and quietly went to the three kids huddled over textbooks in the far corner, who seemed to be unaffected. He bent and murmured something to them, and quickly they all rose and hurried to the door. The woman behind the counter followed them.
“What’s happening?” Mrs. Jenkins asked, not sounding as confident as she had been a second ago.
Vance heard her and walked up to them. Finn never took his eyes off Marie.
“Mrs. Jenkins, why don’t you return to your office, and we will escort Marie to her class?” Vance said calmly.
Mrs. Jenkins scoffed and then gripped a chair as a gust of wind battered her. Sam glanced outside at the first sound of rain hitting the windows. Sudden showers were common in Florida, but he would swear the sky had been a perfect blue as they walked into the cafeteria. It was obvious Finn thought Marie was… what? Doing something in the room, certainly. But outside? Surely that wasn’t possible. He peered up at the air-conditioning vents again, wondering what she was doing, and a strong gust of air had him taking a step backward.
That didn’t come from the vents.
“Marcus, I insist you do as you are told immediately, or I will have no other choice than to call your mother. You are already in trouble for flouting uniform regulations, and—”
Mrs. Jenkins’s words broke off in a squeak as she jumped when a display stand holding different flavored chips went toppling over.
“What are you doing?” Authority had bled from her voice, leaving an ugly, irritated panic.
“Sam, please take Mrs. Jenkins to her office, and take Jonathan with you?” Vance asked politely and fixed his determined gaze on Sam. Sam took the hint.
“Jonathan?” Sam held his hand out, and the boy clasped it immediately.
“Come on.” Sam grabbed the door handle and pushed, but it didn’t move. Rain and wind battered the door, and a fierce gust of wind blew Jonathan into Sam’s side. Sam turned to look at Finn, and Vance took a step toward him.
Finn never moved, just covered both of Marie’s hands. “Vance, get her out of here.”
Vance shot a worried look at Sam. “Finn, you—”
“No.” Finn shook his head and smiled at Marie, who was visibly shaking. Mrs. Jenkins put a hand out to steady herself as plastic silverware shot out from an open box and skidded along the floor. Mrs. Jenkins practically vaulted to the door.
“Marie, it’s okay—” Finn started.
Marie’s head came up. “I can’t,” she whispered as chairs slid away from a table and one overturned with a crash. She clasped Finn’s hands. “Make it stop,” she begged, and the table they sat at wobbled.
“Shh,” Finn soothed.
Mrs. Jenkins tried to open the door, but it didn’t budge. A glass bowl of fruit slid on the counter, and then a gust tossed it to the floor. Mrs. Jenkins screeched, and Vance got to the door and pulled on the handle just as the sky seemed to blacken, and with a massive explosion every window shattered. Sam yanked Jonathan down in the corner, doing his best to shield the boy, even though he wasn’t much bigger.
The tables all moved as if someone had jerked their strings. Rain pelted Sam, soaking him in seconds. Marie cried out and put her hands to her ears as if some unknown noise pained her. Finn sidestepped the table but couldn’t get near her again. He leaned into the air swirling around her but was forced back against the wall. Rain seemed to pound heavier, and the noise and pressure in Sam’s ears expanded like a balloon.
And then it stopped.
All Sam could hear were huge, gulping sobs from Marie, and he looked up to see Vance holding her gently, his arms wrapped around her, and shushing her. He had moved from the door and been the only one strong enough to reach her.
Sam got to his feet shakily, wincing at the sudden sting in his back. He glanced down at Jonathan, whose eyes were round and frightened, but he couldn’t see blood anywhere. “Are you okay?”
Jonathan stood and reached out a shaky hand for Sam. Sam eyed Finn and Vance, who both seemed fine, and gently steered Jonathan out of the building.
The main doors opened to the school, and both security guards came running out.
Wonderful.
Chapter Eight
MARIE WAS expelled. Vance wanted to rail at the stupidity the school was exhibiting, but he wasn’t sure the kids would be better off if he started causing trouble.
Finn was determined to visit Marie’s that night to see both of her parents, but when he’d tried to call and had spoken to Marie’s mom, she had made it clear he wasn’t welcome.
“And the freaky weather thing happened because she got upset?” Sam asked.
Finn nodded. “I need to look at the database and see if we have any other incidents of anyone altering barometric pr
essure.”
“You mean weather?”
“No, or not just. You got a headache, right?”
“My ears popped,” Vance added.
“That’s a sign of altered barometric pressure. Have you ever heard anyone say they knew a storm was coming because their bones hurt?” Finn asked, but Vance instantly knew what he meant. He’d heard his granddad say that dozens of times.
“And you think that was happening?”
“Yes, pretty much. Marie says it’s never happened before, or that was what I got out of her in the five minutes I had.”
Mrs. Jenkins had said if they didn’t leave, she would call the ENu, and the last thing Marie and Jonathan needed was the SWAT team responsible for arresting and detaining enhanced showing up. They were far too ready to use their IM injection rifles on any enhanced they considered a threat, and the fact it was a child would make no difference. The regular cops had arrived at the same time as the ambulances, but Vance—of course—knew them. They’d waited until both children had been collected, and then Sam had driven them back.
They got a message from Talon saying everyone was needed at the field office as soon as possible.
Finn shook his head. “I hate leaving it like this, but I’m worried me barging in there will make it worse at home for her.”
“And it’s pretty significant that the bitch seemed to have the ENu on speed dial,” Sam pointed out.
“I don’t even know how that’s possible, unless it was an empty threat. The ENu only respond when they are summoned by other cops, and it has to be at least a sergeant to have that authority.”
“I’ll ask Jacob in case things have changed,” Vance offered. “But I don’t see how it could have. And my mom will be home on Saturday. How about I talk to her?”
Finn’s eyes widened. “That’s a really good idea. Nonthreatening—”
Vance snorted. “Have you met my mom?”
Finn grinned. “She knows how to reel people in to her way of thinking.”
“So do you. Talon never stood a chance.”
Finn laughed and said he just had to run in and grab something and he would see them both back at the office, which simplified things for Vance. It meant he would be expected to stay in Sam’s car. Sam seemed to like driving, and he never asked Vance why he didn’t, so that was good.
But he knew he had to go home. His cell rang before he’d even finished that thought.
“Hey, Daniel.” The thought of his big brother put a huge smile on Vance’s face. He saw Sam look over as they drove into the secured parking lot at the field office. He got out of the car and put a hand across the phone. “It’s Daniel. I’ll see you upstairs.” Sam paused for a fraction of a second before nodding and walking to the elevator. Not that he minded Sam hearing anything that Daniel said, but he knew the signal would be lost the second he got on the elevator, and he didn’t want to keep Sam waiting.
“How are you?” Daniel demanded. “And why am I only just finding out about this now?”
Vance chuckled. “I thought the jungle drums would have got there faster.” Daniel didn’t reply, and after a second Vance added, “I’m sorry.”
He heard Daniel exhale noisily. “No, it’s fine. I didn’t mean to have a go at you, and it certainly wasn’t your fault you got hurt. You back at work?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Of course you are.” Daniel said it like he was long-suffering, but Vance knew he was teasing. “I just spoke to Jacob, and he says I’m invited to a barbeque he’s having for Helen tomorrow night.”
Vance clutched the phone. “You’re on your way here?” Daniel worked in Washington, but he came home for weekends and helped them out sometimes. He seemed to have his fingers in a lot of pies. Officially he was a senior intelligence officer, which basically meant he did things with computers. He still worked for the FBI but not as a field agent.
“Yeah, little brother. At least, I’m flying in tomorrow morning,” Daniel said softly. It was their joke. Daniel was five eleven on a good day. He was the closest in age to Vance, and up to Vance being twelve, he had always been taller. He grumbled Vance made him look like a garden gnome now. Both Jacob and Eric were over six feet. Growing up, Jacob, Eric, and Chris had always been tight, but Vance and Daniel were even closer.
“You actually got a day off?”
His mom had complained in one of her last phone calls while he’d been in Baton Rouge that Daniel hadn’t been home for nearly four months and had missed his dad’s birthday, which never happened. It was his mom’s birthday in just over two weeks, so he hoped Daniel was going to make it home.
“Yeah, pretty much.” The catch in Daniel’s voice told him there was more, but it wasn’t a good idea to get into it on the phone. “Mom said you’ve been staying with your new partner?”
“Yeah, he had a perp follow him home, and someone tried to grab him last night.”
“Good thing you were there,” Daniel said.
Vance knew, but he also knew he’d officially outstayed his welcome. He couldn’t put off going home any longer, and he was using the protection thing as an excuse. The cops would sit outside Sam’s apartment until he either moved or this thing was wrapped up. “I’m ready to be home, though.”
“Good, I’ll swing by the house first and drop my case, grab Dad’s car, and be there to pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”
“That will be great,” he said with feeling, and after he heard someone calling Daniel’s name, Vance let him go and hung up. Daniel hadn’t bothered asking him if he had his car here; he knew it was unlikely. Vance pocketed his phone and walked to the elevator. To his surprise, Sam was holding it.
“I didn’t think you’d be long, and it can be a bitch to get down here around lunchtime,” he explained.
“Daniel’s flying in tomorrow. My brother,” Vance added.
“The one in Washington?”
Vance smiled. He didn’t think Sam took much notice when Vance mentioned his family.
“He’s the closest to you?”
“Yeah. I haven’t seen him in months. He’ll be here in the afternoon or so. Then at least I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow night.”
Vance saw Sam take that information in. “You weren’t in the way.”
“I can stay if you’re worried. But I know Jacob has the block covered until they figure this out.” He’d already suggested Sam come home with him, but Sam had refused immediately, pointing out there was no way he was bringing trouble to Vance’s parents’, especially when Liam was there. Vance knew he was right, but he didn’t like the thought of him being on his own.
For so many reasons.
The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, Dennis Painter stepped in. “Connelly.” He nodded at Vance. “Haven’t seen you around. Thought they’d come to their senses and fired your ass.” And then he turned his back on them both, not glancing at Sam and not waiting for a reply from Vance. Vance took in the wrinkled suit jacket and the sprinkling of dandruff over his shoulders. He tried not to inhale the strong cologne, and then he glanced at Sam. Sam was looking at Painter’s back like it offended him. The elevator stopped again, but to Vance’s surprise, he didn’t get off. Painter prodded the buttons in annoyance and then rode another floor. Sam tilted his head questioningly at Vance, and Vance shrugged. This floor only contained their offices. The only place other than theirs was medical on the floor above, and where he must be going. The door opened, and Sam got out and turned to Painter, holding out his hand.
“Sam Piper.”
Painter raised his eyebrows as if he was surprised Sam had spoken to him. “Dennis Painter,” he acknowledged and shook Sam’s hand.
Sam offered a friendly smile. “I’m new here, so I don’t know all the agents.”
Painter’s already reddened cheeks flushed a little more. “I’m a computer analyst.”
“Oh,” Sam replied. Like, of course. “Well, now Vance and I have wrapped up the drug and prostitution ring in Baton Rouge, you�
�ll probably be seeing me around.” He turned to Vance. “In fact, didn’t you say you needed a new mouse? I’m sure Dennis here can hook you up with one.” He smiled, didn’t look Vance in the eye, and sauntered down the corridor. The elevator doors closing shut off Painter’s spluttering.
Vance stopped Sam with a hand to his shoulder, snorted, and let out a bark of laughter. “Did you see his face?”
“Whose face?” Gael said as he appeared at the open door next to them.
Sam grinned. “Some dipshit that thinks he’s better than the rest of us.”
Gael’s eyebrows rose.
“Dennis Painter,” Vance supplied, and Gael rolled his eyes as they walked into the room. Everyone was there except Finn, who ran in just as Sam was helping himself to coffee.
“Gentlemen,” Gregory greeted them, followed Finn inside, and shut the door behind him. “We have a problem.”
Everybody quieted.
“Do you remember Aaron Dunn?”
“Of course,” Finn said immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“He’s missing,” Gregory replied somberly, “and because of his enhanced status, it’s been referred to us.”
“Who’s Aaron Dunn?” Sam asked immediately.
“Aaron Dunn is one of the enhanced kids I met at the school Alan Swann was involved in.”
SAM NODDED. He’d had to read all the reports.
“Missing?” Vance frowned. “Isn’t he at Pete’s?”
Gregory passed a photo around, and Sam stared at the teenager grinning up at him. “How old is he?”
“Just turned fifteen. He was rehomed here in the foster home for enhanced run by Pete Docherty. Unfortunately, his father petitioned and won the right to have him returned to them in Denver.”
“Unfortunately?” Sam repeated.
“He sold his son to Alan Swann,” Finn clipped out. “Why is he wanting him back?”
“I’m sorry,” Sam interrupted, completely confused. “If the school placement was voluntary, why wasn’t he returned to the parents anyway?”
