Generation 18 (Spook Squad 2)

“The answers will—”

“Yeah,” she retorted. “I know the rest of the rhyme, so don’t bother.”

“If you wish to find your partner, leave tonight and go to where he was last seen.”

She frowned. “Why tonight?”

“It storms.”

“Yeah? So?”

Impatience ran around her. “Just go, and you will see. For now, I must go.”

His essence, and the white room, fled. She woke suddenly. Rain pelted against the window to the right of her bed. Lightning cut across the night, and the power of it stirred the air, filling her soul. She breathed deeply. Every pore seemed to tingle with the storm’s energy.

From beyond the doorway came the sound of footsteps, a tattoo that was both angry and impatient. Jessie appeared. Water dripped from her burgundy coat, splashing across the tiles as she walked over to Sam’s bed.

“What happened?” Inane question, when all she had to do was look into Jessie’s eyes and see the answer. They hadn’t found Gabriel.

“We found his wristcom, but nothing else. There was no clue as to where they might have gone.”

Sam rubbed her forehead. Joe had told her to go to the warehouse. Though she had no idea why, she wasn’t about to doubt him. Not when Gabriel’s life might be at risk.

“Where’s Director Byrne?”

“Interviewing Whittiker again.”

She almost felt sorry for Orrin. Almost. “You have to take me to that warehouse.”

Jessie frowned. “Samantha, you’re in no condition—”

“Yeah, right,” she snapped back. “Like you were so concerned about my condition down in the holding cell.”

Jessie had the grace to look uncomfortable.

“Do you want to save your brother or not?” she continued.

“Of course I do. But you can’t even walk.”

“That was hours ago. I’m better now.” Even if she wasn’t, she had no intention of mentioning it. She owed Gabriel—though certainly not any of his damn relations—and she intended to repay that debt. Then she’d be free to leave and get back to a normal life, with normal people.

But could anything ever be normal when her discovery of her true nature was only just beginning? Deep down, she suspected not.

Indecision rolled across Jessie’s face. “Stephan’s ordered that you be kept here. That under no circumstances are you to be allowed to leave.”

Obviously he had plans to cross-examine her again if Orrin failed to deliver. “I think I may be able to find Gabriel, but I need to get out of here now. I can’t wait for Stephan.”

“I’m not SIU. I can’t countermand Stephan’s orders.”

“Then call him. Tell him if he wants to find his goddamn brother, he has to trust me, and he has to release me.”

“I don’t think he’ll listen.”

“Try.”

Jessie nodded and walked from the room. Sam stripped the covers away and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

Her right leg, from thigh to knee, was a scarred, red mess. But at least it was a healing scarred, red mess. Though the skin pinched slightly when she moved, it didn’t seem to restrict her. Nor did it hurt. She rotated her shoulder. Again, though there was a definite tightness in the skin, she could move it without pain. How was this possible only a few hours after being shot? She didn’t know, and right now she didn’t really care.