Zeke started to step through the portal, but Crystal caught him by the elbow. “Wait,” she hissed.
Zeke shot her a confused look but obeyed.
Crystal stepped forward. She was inches away from the temporal threshold. She could feel the suction of the wave. One millimeter more and she’d be surfing through time and entering the living room. Cocking her head, she listened. She heard it again.
“I can hear you breathing,” she yelled through the timewave. “Show yourself. This is Crystal Stuart from TEMCO.”
Crystal heard a sharp inhalation. Sam’s face peeped cautiously into view. He was holding a candlestick over his head.
Her lips twitched. “Reverend Ableman—in the living room—with the candlestick, eh?”
Sam lowered his weapon slowly. “It’s good to see you, Cris. I thought you might be Drake.”
She winced. “Sorry. I suppose that was the logical conclusion. We didn’t mean to frighten you. Where is everyone?”
“Sue’s getting them,” Sam replied. “They’re down in the basement working on the Wave Trapper prototype. They should be here any—”
Footsteps thundered as a troop of people burst into the room. Crystal saw Dan brandishing a frying pan and Peter sporting a baseball bat. Gil and Laura weren’t far behind with croquet mallets.
“Whoa,” Sam said to the crowd. “It’s OK. It’s the folks from TEMCO.”
Dan’s face was tense as he approached the timewave. “Is everything OK? Is anyone hurt?”
“Everything is fine,” Zeke replied, walking to Crystal’s side.
Dan stepped closer to the shimmering portal. “I can’t believe we’re being forced to hide while you guys are taking all the risks. I’m sorry things turned out this way. Are you safe?”
Zeke nodded. “Andy has agents watching over us. Everything is under control.”
Dan exhaled slowly. His tension was obvious.
Crystal’s heart went out to him. Four years ago, she’d been sidelined during Gil’s field exam. Being unable to help when her friend was in danger hadn’t been a pleasant experience. This situation was probably twice as hard for Dan since he was the boss.
Across the wave, Crystal saw Sue entering the room with the baby. Sam went to his wife and kissed her cheek.
Dan tossed the frying pan onto the sofa. His face was pale. “I know you didn’t contact us just to say hello. Is there something you need?”
“We have to talk to Peter and Laura,” Zeke replied. “Cris thinks they might be able to give us information about Drake’s identity.”
“Sure thing,” Laura said in a businesslike voice, propping her croquet mallet against the wall. “How can we help?”
“We need data.” Stepping forward, Crystal flourished a pad of paper. “Drake has a big enough ego that he might have given you clues to his identity while he held you captive. I’m going to ask you some questions, if I may.”
“Go ahead,” Laura said, taking Peter’s hand and stroking his bandaged wrist with her thumb.
“First, who did Drake specifically threaten to kill?” Crystal asked.
Laura’s brow furrowed. “He said he was going to kill me, Peter, Dan, Gil, and the baby.”
“Did he say why?”
“He said the leaders of TEMCO had to die.” Laura hesitated and looked over at Gil. “He said he was going to kill the baby to make Dan and Gil suffer.”
At Laura’s subdued words, Gil looked up at Dan and shuddered. Dan pulled her close.
Forcing herself to remain objective, Crystal pushed worry aside and continued. “Did Drake mention wanting to kill anyone else? A professional time surfer? A student? A washed-out cadet? A professor?”
Laura shook her head. “No. Why?”
“Drake is angry because one of TEMCO’s counselors advised his girlfriend to break up with him.” She shoved at her glasses. “Surely, his biggest grudge would be against the counselor who actually gave the advice.”
Peter blinked rapidly. “One of us four must’ve been the girl’s counselor. That’s what you’re trying to say, isn’t it?”
Crystal nodded, pleased that he understood. “Rather than looking at 2,014 cases, we’ll just need to look at the cases in which you, Laura, Dan, or Gil acted as the counselor. I believe our primary focus should be on Dan and Gil’s cases. Drake’s desire to kill their child seems to indicate that his venom is directed more toward them.”
Looking up at Dan, Gil said softly, “When we counsel girls, we often tell them to break up with dangerous boyfriends. Do any of our specific cases stand out to you?”
Dan shook his head. “Like you said, breaking up is common advice.”
Crystal turned to a fresh page in her notebook. “Laura, when Drake held you captive, did he give you details about how his girlfriend was counseled?”
“He said she was told never to speak to him again.” Laura turned to Peter. “Do you remember anything else?”
“Just that Drake said we took his girlfriend away, destroyed his life, and then congratulated ourselves on a job well done. I don’t remember anything else.”
Crystal tapped her pen against her chin. “When he was holding you captive, did anything point to what he did professionally before he joined TEMCO?”
Peter jolted. “Come to think of it, he said he ‘fixed’ the lock on Dan’s office so he could break in. Wade Kingston caught him doing it. That’s why Drake attacked him.”
Crystal jotted down rapid notes. “Did you notice anything else that might confirm he had the knowledge base of a locksmith or that he understood security systems?”
Laura nodded excitedly. “He installed a security door in our prison that had a tamper-resistant lock. Everything in our cell was rusty and old except the door.”
“Good,” Cris said. “What else did he do specifically?”
Laura shuddered. “He threw spiders on us.”
Peter wrapped his arm around Laura’s waist. “And you brushed them off my back. You were amazing.” The love in Peter’s eyes seemed to fill the room.
Crystal cleared her throat. “Go on, Laura. What was your point about the spiders?”
“When Peter and I were trying to find Phoebe, we checked the police database and learned that a pet store had been robbed. That must’ve been where he found the tarantulas.”
“Shh,” Peter said. “Don’t think about it anymore.”
“No, Peter,” Laura said. “You don’t understand. A security company and the local hospital were broken into as well. That could explain where Drake acquired the security door for our prison and the gas he used to knock us out. If he committed the robberies, it would prove he knows how to get around security systems.”
“That makes sense,” Crystal said. “Did he do anything else that might reveal his identity?”
Peter rubbed the back of his neck roughly. “I don’t know if it’s a clue to his identity, but I thought it was odd that he kept quoting literature.”
“That was strange,” Laura said. “He quoted Tolkien when he burned the mattress and Browning when he…when he…”
Hugging Laura close, Peter finished her sentence. “He quoted Browning when he was trying to strangle Laura. He also used literary quotations in the clues to Phoebe’s location.”
Crystal’s pen scribbled back and forth. “That indicates he’s a reader. It also indicates that he may have taken classes in literature. Did he refer to a specific year or event in his life?”
“He said he was eighteen when he killed his first man. He said the man tried to get between him and his girl. Does that help?” Laura asked.
She nodded. “If he was dating the girl when he was eighteen, we’re probably looking for a girl who was counseled during her teenage years. Most likely, the girl would’ve been between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. What more can you tell me about his use of cryptograms? I want to understand how his mind works.”
Peter narrowed his eyes. “Drake was very literal when he gave us clues to Phoebe’s lo
cation. The poem he sent spoke of a winding staircase and mirrors. Drake made sure that his lair had both. In fact, he went overboard to make his point. His ‘parlor’ had hundreds of mirrors—not just one. It was as if he were trying to prove his cleverness.”
“The poem also spoke about a bed that would kill people,” Laura said with a shudder. “We had a mattress in our cell, and we’re sure it had a dangerous chemical poured on it. If Drake’s words even hint at a threat, take the threat seriously no matter how farfetched it sounds.”
Peter pulled at his bottom lip. “The main thing to know is that Drake lies, and he loves playing mind games. He tried to defeat us with fear before he ever laid a hand on us.”
“Can you think of anything else?” Crystal asked.
Laura hesitated. “Something that might be useful—but I hope it won’t be needed—is that Drake is insane. I know he is. If he gets his hands on you, remember that he thrives on inflicting mental and physical pain. If he knows he’s scaring you, he’ll feed off of your emotion and become even more violent. If you can avoid reacting in the way he expects, it’ll confuse him. It’ll make him angry, but it’ll also cloud his judgment and make him impulsive and irrational. Once he loses focus, he starts making mistakes. You can use his mistakes to your advantage.”
Crystal nodded.
Laura’s face paled. “If Drake gets his hands on you, fight dirty. The only way you can defeat him is to break all the rules and go straight for the jugular. You can’t hold back. You have to attack him as violently as he attacks you.” Laura’s voice trembled. “That’s what I had to do.”
Peter kissed the top of Laura’s head. “You did awesome. I was proud of you.”
“I wouldn’t have defeated him if it hadn’t been for you,” Laura said. “You kept cheering me on. And it was your lightning legs of iron that won the day. Drake didn’t think you were a threat chained to the wall, but you proved him wrong.”
“His biggest mistake was leaving you unchained,” Peter said. “You’re the best street fighter I know. You should teach TEMCO’s self-defense class next semester. You have moves that I’ve never seen. I’m still in awe of that jumping spin hook kick.”
Laura smiled. “Does that answer your questions, Cris?”
“I think so,” she replied. “You’ve given us quite a bit to work with.”
Dan stepped closer to the wave. “I’m sorry that I can’t physically be there to help you. I hate being sidelined like this. It was a hard decision to leave, but…” His voice broke as he looked over at his wife and baby.
“It would’ve been foolhardy of you to stay,” Zeke said firmly. ”Anyway, there’s nothing much that you could do that isn’t being done already. Andy’s agents are searching for Drake. Cris and Marc are helping me investigate Drake’s past. With a little more time, we’ll figure out his real name.”
Dan nodded. “Cris, how are you coming with your other project? We’re trying to figure out the design flaw, but we’re having some trouble with the math. Do you have any insight?”
“Not yet,” Crystal replied, pushing at her glasses. “But I’m working on it. Since you left, I’ve explored 216 possible ways to fix the flaw. All of them have led to dead-ends, but in the words of Thomas Edison, I haven’t failed, I’ve just found 216 ways that won’t work. Don’t worry, I’ll find the one way that will work. I promise.”
“I know.” Dan smiled. “I have faith in you. Keep up the good work.”
Shading her eyes, Gil peered through the portal. “Marc, I didn’t see you there. I thought you were camping at Greenbrier State Park.”
“Fishing is no excitement compared to a manhunt,” Marc replied. “So, how’s the new kiddo?”
Gil gave a crow of delight. “He’s the best, sweetest baby in the world. You haven’t seen him yet, have you?”
As Marc shook his head, Sue stepped forward with her grandson in her arms. “Here he is,” she said proudly. “Meet Daniel Ableman, Jr.—little Jay for short. Isn’t he a darling?”
Marc grinned as Jay squealed and batted his grandmother’s face. “He’s a keeper, all right.”
11
That evening, Andrew met with Agent Ruthford for an update on the manhunt. When he learned that Drake had attacked more people, he was furious. He couldn’t understand the mindset of one human willfully harming another, and the thought of a woman getting her throat slashed filled him with anger. He wanted Drake to pay.
“How are they?” Andrew asked grimly.
“Gerald Henrickson, the delivery driver, is still missing. Our agents are searching with the local police, but I don’t have much hope of finding him alive. However, both Dr. Ember and Nurse Warner will recover. Warner came through surgery with flying colors. Her surgeon said she’ll eventually recover the full use of her voice.”
“What about their safety?”
“I have agents stationed outside their hospital rooms, and I’ve made arrangements for them to be transferred to a secure medical facility in the morning.”
“And there was no trace of Drake?”
Ruthford shook his head. “I’m sorry, sir. None.”
Hearing the frustration in the agent’s voice, Andrew said, “From what I’ve heard, Drake’s spent half his life living in the shadows. It’s no wonder that he knows how to fade into the woodwork. You’ll get him. I have confidence in you.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ruthford stood to his feet. “Is there anything else?”
“Just watch your back, and keep an eye on TEMCO’s employees.”
Ruthford nodded and turned to leave.
When Andrew was alone in the room, he parted the curtains and looked at the grounds of the Naval Observatory. Leaning his forehead against the window, he watched as darkness crept near. Streetlights began winking on one by one. Andrew shivered. The news about the hospital attacks had brushed up against an old memory that he would rather forget.
He let the curtains fall shut.
“You need to set aside the problems of the day,” he muttered to himself, “or you’ll never get to sleep, and you have a full schedule in the morning.”
Wandering into his living room, he flicked on the TV. Soft, mellow notes from a violin filled the room.
Andrew smiled. She’s preforming again.
He sat down to watch. This time, his beautiful violinist was in a shimmering, blue dress. She was wearing pearls around her throat and in her golden hair. Most of the time, she kept her eyes closed while she played, but once, during a close camera shot, she opened them. Andrew studied their deep blue depths. His breath caught. Her eyes were sparkling like twin stars, and they seemed to be calling to him.
Realizing the absurdity of his thoughts, Andrew made an impatient sound. It was silly weaving fantasies about a woman in Ireland.
While violin music flowed in a golden river, he glared at the folders Paul had given him. He didn’t bother thumbing through them. He just grabbed the top folder from the stack.
“Charlene Adams,” he muttered, peering down at her picture.
Glancing at her bio, he shrugged his shoulders. She was the second grade teacher he’d met during Public Education Awareness Week.
Giving his violinist a lingering glance, Andrew picked up the phone and dialed Charlene’s number.
“Well, Miss Charlene,” Andrew murmured as the phone rang, “I hope you’re ready for the media storm that’s headed your way.”
~*~
In Montana, Dan Ableman sat at the head of the dining room table. His family and friends were surrounding him, and they were holding a counsel of war.
“We need to go back to D.C.,” Gil said, rocking Jay in her arms. “It’s absolutely stupid for us to be sitting on our hands at a time like this. Zeke needs our—”
As his wife’s words continued, Dan felt a shiver running down his back. Visions of Drake torturing Gil and killing their baby haunted him. Gil wasn’t going to like what he had to say, but he was going to say it anyway. He cut into her monologue with on
e simple word. “No.”
Gil blinked at him. “What? We’ve gotta go—”
“Some of us need to go back but not all of us,” Dan said firmly. “You and Jay are staying here with Mom.”
Gil sputtered. “You’ve gotta be kidding. I’m not staying here. I’m going—”
His mother laid her hand on Gil’s arm. “Darling, you aren’t considering taking your baby back within the reach of the man who wants to kill him, are you?”
Gil shuddered. Her voice lowered. “I don’t want Jay in danger, but I need to go with Dan. Can you watch the baby for a day or two?”
His mother shook her head. “You’re nursing. Jay needs you.”
His father spoke up. “I’ll go back with Danny while you and Sue hold down the fort.”
“You should stay here, Sam,” Peter said. “We need someone to guard the ladies.”
Gil snorted. “What century are you from? The ladies can guard themselves.” She paused. “But I agree that Dad shouldn’t go. With his shoulder—”
“My shoulder is fine,” his father said quickly. “I may not be as young as the rest of you, but I can still put up a good fight.”
“I don’t doubt it, Sam,” Peter replied. “But regardless, you should stay here with Laura. Dan and I will—”
“What?” Laura’s face flushed. Her eyes flashed. “You were on death’s doorstep just a little while ago, Peter Matthews. You’re the one who’s staying here. You’re in no condition to face Drake. I’ll go with Dan, and—”
“Over my dead body,” Peter shouted. “That maniac had a whack at you once, I’m not letting—”
As voices shouted back and forth, Dan rose to his feet. “Enough!”
Everyone fell silent.
Dan’s voice was firm. “Mom and Gil will stay behind with the baby.” He fixed Peter with a firm stare. “Pete, you’re staying, too.”
Peter’s face flushed. “But—”
“No arguments,” Dan barked. “You can barely stand for more than ten minutes at a time. You’re too weak to fight, and you know it.”
Time Search (The Time Counselor Chronicles Book 3) Page 9