by Kim Jewell
“Meaning… She doesn’t know him as Crain!”
Sam smirked. “Good job, Sherlock.”
What a jerk.
Lexi picked up the trail. “So if she doesn’t know Crain… Or if we want to know for sure, we need Jade to persuade her mind to tell us the truth.”
“What are you thinking?”
“We send her with the delivery,” Sam answered.
“That’s not safe! She can’t defend herself!”
Lexi huffed at Clint’s first reaction.
Okay. Back pedal, quick.
“I just mean,” Clint stammered as Sam grinned, “she’s got no physical power of protection. What if Crain were there?”
“Well, Leesha can handle it,” Lexi shot back. “She can handle anything at a distance!”
Low blow.
Just then he felt the blast in his forehead, forcing his gaze toward Lexi. Sam’s head snapped up and over too.
Lexi smiled. “I’m ba-a-a-ack!” She giggled.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, Clint. I’m fine. It’s really not painful anymore. Just the dullest of roars at this point.”
I can’t wait until I can be done with the burn.
He continued to watch her protectively, not completely believing her. “Can I get you anything?”
Her face softened. “No, but thank you. Really. I’m fine.”
“Okay…”
“The best thing is,” she turned to Sam, “I can help protect Jade tomorrow!”
“Good thinking, Lex. That is, if she’s willing to help us.”
“Help with what?” Jade asked. She and Leesha had just walked in together.
“Help us question Sara Milligan.”
“The girlfriend?”
“Yes. Well, we think so.”
“How can I help? I’m ready!”
“Well, I need to tap into her brain,” Sam started. “You know, hear her inner thoughts. It’ll be easier for me to do it from a distance, if I don’t have to worry about having a conversation and picking her brain at the same time.”
“Okay,” Jade leaned on the door. “What do you need me to do?”
Sam stood up and walked across the room, sat back down on a long wooden bench. “All we need you to do is pretend to deliver a package at Sara’s house for Dr. Donald Crain. Use your powers on her, persuade her to tell you the truth about whether or not she knows a Dr. Crain.”
“I can do that,” she said, sitting down in the rocking chair Sam had just vacated.
“Are you sure?” Leesha asked. “If you’re not up to this, we would totally understand.”
“Sure. No problem! It’s just a delivery, right?”
“Well yes, plus we’d need your powers. Have you been practicing?”
“Yep!” Jade grinned smugly.
“Do you know for sure? Can you control it?”
“Yep.”
“Have you practiced non-verbal persuasion?” Leesha was not completely convinced.
“I have, and I’ve already shown you.”
“How?”
“I wanted this chair.”
Silence took the room as the kids digested this. Slowly, smiles spread across the faces as Leesha, Lexi and Clint understood what she had done.
Well, damn. Nicely done, Princess.
Sam, however, did not look amused. His expression was a mix of scowl and horror as he realized he was her guinea pig and side show exhibit. He looked down at the hard bench he was perched on. “Hey!”
“Sorry Sam, but it made more sense to prove it before anyone asked.”
“What else have you got?” Leesha’s attention was piqued. She was always interested in progress.
Jade handed her some pages of handwritten notes. “I wrote a diary of everything I worked on over the week.”
“Great! Thanks.”
“So what’s the plan for tomorrow, then? What time do we head over? And do you think it’s safe?” Jade’s excitement was bubbling as she spouted out questions.
“Let’s meet here at eleven,” Lexi said. “According to her work schedule I found, she’s not due in until two. And Jade, my powers are back, so I’ll go up with you, keep you safe. If anything goes weird, I’ll be there.”
“We all will be,” Leesha agreed.
“Do you want me to drive?”
“Go ahead and bring your truck, Jade,” Sam answered, “but I’m not sure it doesn’t make sense for us to split up, drive two cars. We can stake out from a couple of different vantage points.”
“That way if we need a quick getaway car, we’ve got options,” Clint agreed.
“Exactly!”
“So now that the details are settled, what do you guys want to do tonight?” Lexi’s green eyes sparkled. “Let’s go out and have some fun!”
“Fun?”
“Oh Sam, you’re such a stick in the mud!” She looked at her brother’s confused expression. “We work way too much. Let’s take the night off. We need a break!”
Leesha smiled. “I hear ya! What do you want to do, a movie?”
Oooh. Dark room. Close seats.
Sam glared at Clint. “I’m all for taking a break, but let’s do something a little more lively. I hear Crabtree’s is having teen night tonight. Five bucks entry covers everything.”
Crabtree’s was a local entertainment and sports complex. It had everything from laser tag and paintball arenas to a dance club and karaoke lounge to indoor miniature golf and go-cart tracks. It was a playground for big kids, adults included.
“Sounds great! Can I invite Bruce?” Jade asked.
Bruce?
“Who’s Bruce?” Lexi got the question out first.
“My boyfriend.”
“You have a boyfriend?” Sam looked confused.
Why are we just now hearing of this?
“Well, yes. Of course I have a boyfriend. Did you not meet him at my party?”
“Uh, no,” Sam said, glancing sideways at Clint to catch his eyes.
Ask her.
Sam nodded. “How much of this,” he gestured around the room, “have you told… Bruce?”
“You mean about our abilities?”
“Yes, Jade. About our abilities.”
“Nothing.”
Everyone in the room visibly relaxed.
“That’s good, Jade,” Leesha said. “We’re not ready to go public with this yet.”
“Yeah, I figured that out already. I’m not an idiot, you know. Plus… I don’t want him to think I’m a freak.”
“We don’t think you’re an idiot,” Lexi interjected. “We’ve just tried to keep this as quiet as possible for the safety of everyone we care about. And you’re not a freak, Jade.”
“Well, no more than we are!” Sam smiled.
“No Sam – you are a freak!” Lexi butted in, smiling. “But for completely different reasons.”
Jade laughed. “So, are you guys okay if I bring him?”
“Sure! It’s fine,” Lexi said. “Do you just want to meet us there?”
“Yeah, that sounds best. Like seven?”
“Seven’s perfect,” Lexi answered as Jade excused herself to call Bruce and head home to get ready.
Chapter Twenty-five
The ruckus at Crabtree’s was deafening as they entered the front door. It wasn’t built for all the teens in the metro area, but Clint figured all of them were packed in there tonight.
Jade and her boyfriend were already there, and had reserved a big table in the café, the designated meeting spot. She stood and introduced everyone.
“Nice to meet you, man.” Sam extended his hand in greeting.
“Thanks. You guys too.” Bruce shuffled his feet uncomfortably.
“So what do you guys want to do first?” Lexi’s eyes lit up at the possibilities.
“Let’s start with the go-carts,” Sam said. “The line doesn’t look too long, and I’m in the mood for a little speed!”
“Dude. You don’t know anything about speed,
” Clint punched his shoulder. “Let me show you how it’s done.”
“Oh, it is so on.”
The girls, all three of them, rolled their eyes.
Bruce, on the other hand, smiled. “I think I’m going to like you guys just fine!”
They got in line and timed it perfectly. The six of them were able to take the six available cars at the same time. It took a couple of quick maneuvers, allowing three younger kids to cut into the group ahead, but in the end they were able to enjoy the track as a unit.
“Here, Lex,” Clint tried to act the gentleman. “Let me help you get in.”
“Suck up!” Sam projected from the metallic purple cart he was buckled into.
“Thanks, Clint!” She winked at him as he folded his legs into the cart next to her. He smiled, ignoring Sam.
The six looked forward, waiting for the stop light to turn green, starting the race.
Green. Go.
Clint hit his gas, but was surprised to see Leesha’s cart at least two lengths ahead of everyone else. She smiled and waved from her first place position.
Did she…? Could she have?
It didn’t matter. He stomped on the accelerator harder and headed into the first turn like a pro, missing the rubber tire border by inches. Sam was close behind him and on his left flank.
“Get outta my way, meat!” he heard Sam project into his head.
Well, that’s just not very nice… He grinned and swerved left to cut him off.
Clint hit his brakes and watched Sam slow down too. They watched as Jade flew by both of them on the straightaway, glancing over her shoulder to give them both a sly wink and nod.
Oh, hell no! And now that I’ve got no powers! Not that they would help here… Sam, what can you do? We can’t lose to chicks!
“I’m not sure I can do much, either…”
Dang women.
“You got that right!”
Lexi and Bruce sped by as they tried to devise a plan. In the end, they came in fifth and sixth, but were grinning at the adrenaline rush.
“You know it’s no fair,” Clint whispered to Jade as they exited, “making us hit our brakes!”
“I didn’t make you do anything! I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t control your foot.”
Hmpf.
“And what about you?” Sam grabbed Leesha’s belt loop at the back of her jeans, out of Bruce’s earshot. “What was your role in all of that?”
She smiled innocently. “Let’s just say you two are lucky I didn’t have to throw tires in your way!”
Lexi giggled, finally figuring out what was going on. “Well, it’s about time you two got a dose of your own medicine! How does it feel? Being worked against!”
Bruce caught up to the group. “So what’s next?”
“Well, one thing’s for sure,” Sam smiled, wrapping his arm around Leesha’s neck, pulling her into a headlock. “Goofy golf is out of the question!”
They ended up wandering into the dance club, the sounds of a live band luring them. The lights were wild and bright, the dancers jumping in rhythm to the tribal beat.
Despite the dark, Sam was able to find an open table on the left side of the room, near the beverage counter. They grabbed seats and began to watch the throng of activity.
“You ladies want drinks?” Bruce asked.
“That would be great! Diet Coke, thanks babe,” Jade leaned to kiss him.
“Same!”
“Me too, please.”
“I’ll help you,” Clint said, and the two walked off to get drinks for everyone. When they returned, Sam was the only one left sitting at the table.
“Where’d they go?” Bruce asked as he set the drinks on the table.
“They didn’t sit long. Headed straight for the dance floor.”
“I never understood women, how they can dance in packs like that.”
“Yeah, me either,” Clint agreed.
They sat there watching the girls as they jumped, twirled and laughed to the band.
They look like they’re having fun. Lexi’s hot tonight. Nice jeans.
He heard Sam growl in his head.
The song ended and the band switched to a slower tune. As the girls headed back toward the table, Sam stood up and walked toward them.
What’s he doing?
Clint watched him lean down and say something to Leesha. She looked up, a shocked expression on her face. Nodding yes, he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
I thought he didn’t dance. Does he like her?
“You haven’t been able to shake him all night,” Jade leaned in and patted Clint on the shoulder. “I thought perhaps you’d like a moment alone. At least without big brother…”
“You?” Clint’s mouth dropped open. As Lexi sat down next to him, he slowly smiled, realizing.
“Come on, Bruce. Spin me around the dance floor?”
“You got it, mama!” They linked fingers and headed away from the table.
Props for Jade. I officially like her now.
Lexi scooted her chair closer to Clint so they could hear each other over the band’s loud crooning. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He cleared his throat. She smiled.
Yep. I think my heart just melted.
“Did you know Jade did that? Had Sam ask Leesha to dance.”
“No, not until they turned towards the dance floor. It didn’t take long to put two and two together. Sam doesn’t dance. I was sure he was persuaded.” She looked past him to glance at Sam and Leesha as they danced and talked.
“Did you see her face?”
“Yeah. Classic! She knows Sam well enough by now to understand how out of character that is for him.” Lexi threw her head back and laughed.
Huh. She smells good. Focus!
“Does he like her?”
“Leesha? I don’t know. I thought so at first, but I’m not sure. He’s so driven right now, concentrating on Crain, our work…”
“Yeah.”
“Plus he’s a moron when it comes to girls. I wish he did like her. They’d be good together.”
“Uh-huh. That, and maybe he’d leave us alone for a minute or two.”
“Don’t take it personally, Clint. He’s always been protective of me. Looked out for me.”
“Seems to me like you can take care of yourself.”
“I can!”
“I didn’t mean…”
“I know.”
They were silent then, just watching the dancers sway back and forth. The song was nearing its end.
Should I?
Slowly, he reached over and touched the top of Lexi’s hand. It lay on the table next to her drink. She looked down, smiled, and turned her palm up to link her fingers with his. He leaned in and she nestled her forehead into his neck. He felt her breath as she sighed.
“Do you think it might be possible,” he started hesitantly, “to do something… Just you and me?”
“Like a date?”
“Yes, like a date. Without Sam. Without Leesha. I mean, if you’d like that.”
He felt her nod. “Yeah, I would, very much.”
“How far would we need to go to get away from Sam’s ears?”
She laughed and pulled her head up to look into his eyes. “Not too far. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Sam.”
The song ended and instinctively they both looked towards the dance floor. Sam was hustling toward the table, his green eyes sharp and glaring. Leesha looked frightened.
Uh-oh.
“Come with me,” he barked at Clint.
Chapter Twenty-six
Clint’s long legs easily kept up with Sam’s. They cleared the club door and headed into the main corridor. Sam didn’t pause or speak. Instead, he made a straight line to the laser tag arena.
What the? Sam, where are we going?
“Shhh!” Sam lifted a finger, tilted his head, then headed in the direction of his left ear.
They plunged into the darkness. Clint could bare
ly see where they were going. All around there were players darting and flitting behind padded barriers and blocks, trying to get the enemy players in their sites.
Sam silently weaved and flowed around the room, looking like he knew exactly where he was going. As they neared the darkest, furthest corner of the game room, the sound muted and the hair on the back of Clint’s neck stood on end. A chill ran down his spine.
This doesn’t have anything to do with Lexi and me.
Sam caught his eyes and nodded his head toward a dark area in the corner, behind an oblong shield in front of them. An exit sign was their only source of light.
What am I hearing? Shuffling. Two voices, one male, one female. That girl sounds sick. She’s mumbling. Did she just say “no?” Is he trying to…
Clint’s eyes flew open and he realized what Sam was able to see through the foam shield. Sam motioned toward the side with the light and the two crept around the corner.
The guy had his date, who was clearly incoherent, propped up by the shoulder against the padded wall. With his free hand, he was trying to untuck her shirt and unbuckle her belt.
Barely conscious, her head lolled back and forth. She kept mumbling something that sounded like: “No. Don’t. I don’t wanna…”
What a creep.
“Hey!” Sam’s voice cut through the muffled quiet.
The teen’s head jerked up, finally giving them a clear view of his features. Shy of six foot, his spiky blonde hair was gelled and his eyes narrowed in anger. “This space is taken. Beat it.”
“I don’t think so, jerk.” Clint stepped forward, Sam right next to him, step for step.
Power or no power, this thug’s going down. We can take him, Sam.
Just then, Leesha rounded the other corner with a security guard and the facility manager.
“What’s going on here?”
The girl, almost unconscious, started to slide down the wall as her date took a step back. Sam and Leesha each took one side of her, supporting her under the arm. Clint stepped toward the boy.
“I saw this guy slip something in her drink,” Sam explained. “We followed them in here to make sure she was okay. We found her like this. He was trying to undress her.”
“I was not!” The kid tried to move, but was blocked on each side by Clint and the very large security guard.