Penumbra (Spook Squad 3)

“Yeah, pretty awesome,” Gabriel muttered.

His wristcom rang into the silence—a shrill sound that made him jump. He tapped the screen and said, “Stern,” as he studied the mess that had once been a lab. What had probably saved them was the far wall; only a third of it had melted under the intense heat of the maelstrom. The rest had held, offering some form of protection.

Sam’s features appeared on the vid-screen, her blue eyes clouded with worry. “Gabriel? Are you okay?”

Gabriel swore softly and rubbed a hand across his eyes. He’d hoped that by shattering their working relationship, he’d break the psi bond that was growing between them. That obviously wasn’t going to happen—or maybe it was just too soon to have any real effect.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but I can’t talk now.”

It came out sharper than he’d intended, and the warm concern left her face, replaced by an iciness he’d seen all too often of late.

“Sure. Talk to you later.”

She signed off before he could say anything else. Way to go, he thought sourly. Continue speaking to her like that and she’ll definitely remain a part of your life.

“You know,” Illie said casually, “you really have fuck-all idea how to talk to a woman.”

“Shove it up your ass,” Gabriel muttered, then turned at the sound of footsteps.

Half a dozen men came into the lab, some carrying hoses and others medical equipment. Prepared for the worst, Gabriel thought.

“They’re surprised,” Illie muttered. “They didn’t expect to see us alive.”

“Relieved surprised, or annoyed surprised?”

Illie hesitated, studying the approaching white suits. “Relieved.”

So if this was a setup, these men didn’t know about it.

One

man separated from the pack, pulling off his breathing mask as he approached. “Assistant Director Stern? I’m glad to see you alive, sir!”

Gabriel glanced at the man’s name tag. “What the hell happened here, Rogers?”

“Near as we can figure, a chemical spill in the lab next door resulted in an explosion. You’re lucky to be alive, sir.”

Wasn’t that the truth. Though he had to wonder, if this was a trap, what had the military hoped to achieve? “Were there many casualties?”

Rogers nodded, his face bleak. “The security officer who escorted you down here, and the five scientists working in the lab.”

“Those were the scientists I couldn’t get a reading on,” Illie murmured. “The ones who felt wrong.”

“Indeed,” Gabriel said. And it would be worth ordering extra tests done on their remains, just to discover what was going on with them. And what they were.

“If you don’t mind,” Rogers continued, “I’ll have one of my men escort you down to the medical center, just to make sure that you’re both okay.”

Gabriel nodded. “And we’ll need to talk to the director again.”

“Once the doc’s given us clearance.”

“Let’s get it over with, then.”

Rogers motioned to one of his men and moved away. Gabriel glanced at Illie, noting his frown. “What’s wrong?”

“This is what they got us down here for,” he muttered. “So they can do tests—on you and your partner.”

Undoubtedly meaning his former partner, not his current one. “Who are you getting this from?”