Generation 18 (Spook Squad 2)

Especially not for an orphan, at a time when medical expenditure of any kind was being closely watched by the government. “What about these other sensations I seem to be getting? Being able to sense the presence of other races, being able to pick up my partner’s emotions and, sometimes, even thoughts.”

O’Hearn interlaced her fingers. “Most psychic abilities don’t start to fully develop until the onset of puberty.”

Sam sighed. “I was tested for psychic ability when I entered the State Police. And I came up with a big fat zero.”

“Yet you told me that in the recent tests done at the SIU, you came in neutral.”

“Yeah. So?”

“Those tests were designed by Gabriel—and designed specifically to indicate whether or not a person has psychic ability. You either have them or you do not. No one comes in as neutral.”

“But I did.”

“Yes. And that would indicate a talent strong enough to evade both the psi-nullified environment of the SIU and the tests themselves.”

“This is too weird.” In the space of a few days, she’d gone from being a sterile, orphaned nobody to a multi-raced fertile woman with growing psychic talents and maybe even a brother.

“It certainly is a puzzle,” O’Hearn agreed, “but one I think we can eventually solve.”

Sam took another deep breath. No doubt the solving would involve more damn tests. “So what do you want to do?”

“First, I want your permission to request the test results from the SIU. I think they would complement my research. Who’s the physician in charge there?”

“A man named Finley.”

“Finley?” The doc raised a gray eyebrow. “He’s one of the best in his field. I didn’t realize he was working for the SIU now.”

“He’s been wanting to do more tests himself. So far, I’ve refused.”

“Why?”

Sam shrugged. “Obstinacy, perhaps? Or maybe even fear of discovering the truth.”

“Which is understandable. Sometimes it is better not to know.”

Sam smiled grimly. “But there are things happening to me that I need to understand, and I can’t sit on my hands anymore. Do what it takes to find out what the hell is going on in my body.”

“Good girl.” O’Hearn leaned forward and picked up the second folder. “I’ll book some more tests and let you know the times. I’ll also contact Gabriel and request the SIU test results.” Then she hesitated, frowning slightly. “It might also be worthwhile if I work with Finley on some of these tests. He’s more familiar with gene manipulation than I am.”

“The SIU will probably have to approve it, but it’s okay by me. Though Finley’s not due back from leave until the eighteenth.”

“We’ll get around that.” The doctor shuffled the two folders together. “I’ll get onto this straightaway.”

Sam stood. “I’ll wait for your call, then.”

O’Hearn nodded. “Don’t worry, dear. You’ll have your answers within a week or two.”

A minute from now was not soon enough. Still, she’d waited nearly thirty years for some answers. Two weeks more wasn’t going to kill her.

Then a chill ran over her skin. She couldn’t escape the sudden notion that she was wrong.

Very wrong.

SAM SPENT SEVERAL FRUITLESS HOURS apartment hunting, then gave up and went back to SIU headquarters.

The real estate agent had given her a vague idea of what her apartment would fetch, and it was a sizeable sum. She’d be able to buy something close to the city, which would save her having to either buy a car or continue to put up with the overcrowded transport system each day. She only had to travel twenty minutes as it was, but that was more than enough.

She dumped her bag on the floor beside her desk and flopped back in her chair. For tonight, at least, she’d have to find a hotel.