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A mere touch once told her everything she had needed to about the world and the people around her. Now she could see nothing. The constant blankness induced a sharp anxiety she couldn’t bear. It reminded her of when she had touched her parents after their deaths, frantically running her hands over their faces searching for some connection, seeking some thought or memory, but there’d been nothing. They were blank, cold—gone from her.
The flashback played before her eyes again. Buddy had been with her for years, her best friend. Her only friend. She hadn’t had another pet since he died when she was fourteen, ten years after he’d skidded across the floor into her arms. She still felt the pinch of losing him around her heart.
“I said I’m fine.”
She stood up, putting distance between herself and Kristy, heading for the door to make it clear she wanted Kristy to leave.
“Fine, I’ll go, but I’d like to know something first.”
“What’s that?” Risa shoved her fingers through her hair, impatient and anxious. Something had changed in the room, something was different about Kristy, her posture, her expression, but Risa couldn’t tell exactly what it was. She didn’t like being at such a disadvantage. She could sense something about Kristy’s mental state, but it wasn’t solid—like when a word you needed was just beyond your reach.
Kristy crossed her arms over her chest. “I’d like to know why you have a folder here with my name on it that tells you everything from what schools I attended to what men I date and what medicines are in my bathroom cabinet.”
Risa froze. Kristy must have snooped while she was unconscious. Her mind raced for what to say, how to cover the truth, but Kristy filled in the silence between them.
“I was looking for a doctor’s number when you passed out, a phone book or something with some information, and I found your files. I saw the hallway on your computer screen—you’re monitoring everyone in the building, aren’t you?”
Kristy pinned Risa with a shrewd gaze. “I’m guessing you’re not agoraphobic, either. Are you law enforcement? Is there something dangerous going on here? I want to know. Do you want to tell me exactly why you’re doing all of this, and how, or do I call the police and have them ask you?”
What the hell could she say? Kristy wouldn’t believe the truth—would she?
Risa’s urge to connect with someone, anyone, warred with her instinct to protect herself. She also hadn’t forgotten her duty to keep top secret information secret. Her former life was as top secret as it got.
As Kristy stood staring at her, Risa thought maybe she could tell her something—a version of the truth, if not the truth itself. She’d been watching Kristy for months—there was nothing to suggest she was untrustworthy, and Risa didn’t want the police digging around. Dr. Laslow had warned her about keeping a low profile. She had a normal life now, whatever that meant, but she still had to protect her past. Her powers might have disappeared, but all of the things she knew and witnessed hadn’t. As Kristy reached for the phone again—to dial 911, no doubt—Risa stepped forward, putting up a hand in a halting motion.
“Please, don’t call the police. I’ll tell you what’s going on.” She tried a smile, knowing her attempt was lame. “Did you say you brought bagels?”
AN HOUR LATER, the bagels sat cold in the center of the kitchen counter, uneaten. Risa’s appetite had faded and Kristy was listening with such rapt attention she’d forgotten to eat.
“I can’t believe this—are you serious? You worked for the government as a psychic? You could read people’s minds?”
“Yes, most of my life. My parents, too. And my grandfather. He approached the government in 1941, to help with the war effort. He felt it was his duty. He was already married and had my mother, who inherited the same ability, and then that was passed on to me. My father was a CIA agent, a regular guy. He met my mother back before…”
Risa drifted off. She couldn’t tell Kristy that, after her mother and father’s romance Dr. Laslow had made sure no such contact would be made with Risa. He’d said there was too much risk involved, too much access to secrets concerning Risa’s powers. She cleared her throat and just skipped the subject altogether.
“Since then, our family has worked for the government, secretly, of course.”
“Well, Reagan used to consult astrologers, I heard, and he took a lot of flack for that. So I can understand why they wouldn’t want to let the media know they used professional psychics—and back to World War II even! But you don’t have any powers now?”
Risa shook her head, relieved to be able to tell the truth on that, at least. She’d figured explaining her former abilities as psychic ones would be easier for Kristy to understand, without giving away too much. In reality, Risa wasn’t a psychic, though her abilities had paralleled what some psychics claimed to be able to do. People talked about psychics all the time; it was a useful, harmless comparison that would serve its purpose.
Unlike psychics, who were a more paranormal phemonemon, Risa had inherited a supercharged nervous system that was physically differently than any normal human’s. She could link with anything that held an electrical charge—man, animal or machine. She didn’t operate on what she “felt” or on vague images, as psychics did.
She couldn’t find dead bodies through dreams or pieces of clothing, though she could tell you exactly where a killer buried his victims just with a touch. Risa was hardwired to become part of what she touched. But it was best to keep her secrets, for Kristy’s own protection, as well as anything else. In spite of her lack of abilities, there were still nefarious people who might be interested in “studying” her.
“Yes, they’re all gone, so now I’m trying to lead a normal life. But I lived on government compounds since I was born—”
“Like an army brat?”
“Yeah. Like that. My parents died on a mission when I was five, and I was raised by the staff we worked with. I haven’t known anything else. Ever.”
Kristy’s eyes welled up, and she reached across the table just as Risa drew her arm out of reach of the comforting touch. “That’s just awful. You poor thing.”
“I liked it, mostly. I helped people. What I did was important.”
“And you’ve had these blackouts since your accident?”
Risa nodded. “They’re supposed to go away in time. That’s what Dr. Laslow said.”
“He’s your physician?”
“He was the doctor who took care of me since I was born. My mother, too.”
Kristy sat back, clearly astounded and processing the information. “I can’t imagine—you went on missions? Like a real spy?”
“Sort of. I was never really trained as a spy. They just needed me to ask people questions, you know, to find out information.”
It had, of course, been much more involved than that, but she’d already said more than she should, and was feeling anxious about her revelations. Risa had been trained to keep secrets, but it seemed the point of “girl talk” was to tell all, something she wasn’t free to do.
“So, you know all kinds of top secret stuff?”
Risa shifted uncomfortably. “Some. But you know the old line. If I told you about it, I’d have to kill you.”
Kristy smiled at the cheesy joke, and shook her head in amazement. “I still don’t understand about the files and the video—why do you monitor everyone who lives here?”
Risa had the grace to blush. “It just seemed like the natural thing to do—strange people, strange environment. I was at a major disadvantage. When I lost my ability to read people, to hear their thoughts, I became isolated, like I was in a vacuum. Knowing what was going on around me made me feel safer. I really didn’t mean to intrude, you know, I never watched anything…private. And I’d spent so much time living on government property, and having most things I needed at hand or taken care of, that it’s been difficult adjusting. And I had some experience with electronics, so…”
“So wiring into all of our apartments allowed you to keep track of us so, for instance, you knew I was heading out to the store when you called me to pick up groceries for you,” Kristy deduced, frowning slightly.
Risa nodded, feeling distinctly ashamed.
“Yes, I’m sorry for that, too. I’m just not equipped for—” she looked around, waving her arms and letting her frustration show “—this. Everything. The world.”
It felt so good to finally talk to someone. Risa had never really had a female friend before. Or a male friend, for that matter. After her parents died, she’d confided her secrets and fears only to Buddy. So far, Kristy was taking what Risa told her in relative stride.
“I could help, you know.”
“You have helped, getting my groceries, listening. But you don’t have to do that anymore. I wouldn’t ask that of you.”
“What I mean is I can help you get back into normal life. You know, for instance…” Kristy assessed Risa closely, making her feel like squirming in her chair. “Are those black pants and shirts all you have to wear?”
Risa looked down at her clothes, the government-issued casuals she’d always worn.
“Yes. They’re all I need.”
“Oh, honey, with your figure you can carry the cat burglar look off nicely, but with your coloring and that amazing auburn hair and those blue eyes—you should be wearing something much more striking.”
Kristy’s mental makeover was setting Risa’s nerves on edge. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this, and Kristy had a definite gleam in her eye. Risa didn’t need her former powers to sense that her new friend was getting very excited about influencing Risa’s life.
“And you have no good furniture, nothing on your walls. The place is stark. No personality. We have to get more of your style in here—what do you like?”
“What do you mean?” Risa could only stare.
“You know, what are your favorite colors, for a start?”
Risa paused for a long moment. She’d never really been asked that before. She thought about Buddy, the rich chocolate-brown of his fur, and remembered the scarlet sweater her mother had been wearing the day she’d brought Buddy home. Her mother had always worn bright colors—why hadn’t Risa remembered that until now?
“I like brown. And red.”
Kristy pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Well, I’ve always been more of a pink and yellow girl myself, but we can work with that—earthy tones, I guess. Like clays and fire. Yes, that does seem right for you.” She looked at the clock, “Hey, I’ll tell you what. I have the day off, why don’t we go catch some lunch and hit the stores? It’ll be fun.”
“Hit the stores?” Risa wasn’t quite keeping up, still wondering how all of this had happened.
“Yeppers. C’mon, ex-spy lady. We’re going shopping.”
2
DANIEL WATCHED Risa from a discreet distance, following the actions of the two women closely. Even though he’d spent thousands of hours doing surveillance, watching Risa felt different. More intimate. Maybe because each new outfit she tried on distracted him from his purpose, among other things. It wasn’t as if she were trying on anything particularly sexy, no low-cut dresses or skintight bodysuits—like the ones he’d seen her wearing on missions—clinging to every curve. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her, and his interest wasn’t completely professional.
He swallowed deeply, trying to ignore the way his pulse picked up when she stepped out of the dressing room, looking to her friend for reassurance that the low-rise jeans and raspberry T-shirt fit.
Oh, man, did they ever fit. The woman had an ass like two perfect scoops of ice cream.
The shirt exposed a delicious sliver of her flat, toned belly, and the stylishly faded denim hugged the gentle sway of her backside in a way that had him imagining cupping his hand over the pocket.
Her friend nodded enthusiastically, obviously having good taste. Risa received the approval awkwardly, stuffing her hands in the pockets of the jeans, looking furtively from side to side as if worried about being seen. Was she self-conscious or was she worried?
Daniel turned his attention to her shopping partner. His quick background check identified Risa’s friend as Kristy Louise Kelly, twenty-five, a Boston native, MIT grad and an oceanographic intern at Woods Hole. He’d seen them sitting at Risa’s utilitarian kitchen table that morning, talking over a breakfast that neither one of them touched—but talking about what?
He hadn’t had an opportunity to bug the apartment—Risa was always there. This was the first time he’d seen her leave, and opted for following rather than a search. He’d assumed if she were venturing out, it must have been important—he’d never have guessed clothes shopping.
However, it appeared she was doing some surveillance of her own, and if he could get over there, he might be able to link into her system. He could find out what she was up to, who she was watching and why. Jack was right—something was off.
Was she finally adjusting on her own, a late bloomer? Why now, all of a sudden, after months of isolation? Could this new “friend” be a problem, someone else who knew about Risa’s secrets, or who wanted to know? Daniel intended to find out.
He’d arrived on the Cape a week ago. The small town of Falmouth was as charming as ever. Daniel booked a room at a small motel a few minutes down the street from Risa’s apartment complex, even though the home where he’d grown up was only about an hour up the coast. He needed to be closer to watch her movements, to assess the situation.
Though Jack had mentioned his family, there was no need to stir up those old ghosts. He was here to do a job; he’d do it, and move on, hopefully with no one being the wiser. If Kristy Kelly was a real friend, maybe Risa wouldn’t need him to interfere in her life, so he could report back to Jack and be assigned something more critical than watching Risa shop.
“Daniel? Oh my God…it is you. What are you doing here?”
Daniel turned toward the disbelieving female voice that drew his attention away from Risa and Kristy. Instincts developed after years in the field compelled him to relax, to act naturally so as not to draw attention, even though he simultaneously felt the urge to duck behind the rack of women’s lingerie that he’d been standing beside.
When he turned, he looked into eyes as gray as his, set in a female face that also resembled his own. He took in her softer features, his eyes widening as he sighted his younger sister’s extremely pregnant belly.
“Anna.” He breathed out the name softly, hardly believing she was standing right in front of him. The last time he’d seen her was in New York City just two years ago, where she’d been vacationing and they’d met for dinner. He’d given her a secure e-mail address where she could contact him. He just couldn’t break all contact with his youngest sister.
He’d attended her wedding shortly after, staying in the background, and leaving a gift before anyone else knew he was there. His appearance would have caused too much of a scuffle, and it was her day. He hadn’t wanted to ruin it, though he’d caught her for one moment before he left. She’d been such a tomboy, keeping up with her brothers effortlessly all those years—and now she was a grown woman. He didn’t know she was expecting, though. The discovery threw him. She was his baby sister, and she was having a baby of her own.
“Seven months and counting,” she said as if she’d read his mind, her voice as natural as if she met him in the store every day, as if it weren’t unusual at all. “I guess that’s obvious, though, isn’t it? You’re going to be an uncle, Daniel.”
An uncle. The words rang in his ears like she was speaking to him in a foreign language. He wasn’t sure what to say—he’d been a stranger, living a life so apart from them for so long, he wasn’t sure he had a right to the title of uncle, or brother or son, for that matter. Not anymore. He noticed the tension that creased her brow as she flipped through a few flimsy robes, not really seeing them. The surprise of finding him here, and the many questions about why he was here, must be finally hitting its mark.
“I wish you’d let me know. I’ve been out of the country, but I try to check my e-mail,” he said.
“It’s not the kind of thing you tell someone by e-mail—I would like you to have been here, though.”
“I was out of the country for the last year—I left shortly after the last time we spoke.”
He ignored the disapproval evident in her expression. She didn’t agree with what he did for a living; Anna was a peace-loving creature who shared her family’s liberal political views. Those views wouldn’t allow them to understand many of the things Daniel did for a living.
“So what are you doing here, Daniel? Have you finally decided to come home and make peace with your demons?”
Daniel felt somehow exposed by his sister’s simple inquiry. He also had no idea what was happening with Risa and her friend. He was losing track, was off balance—never a good situation for a field agent.
“I can see I’ve caught you off guard.”
He started to say something—anything—when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Two security guards were moving past them, a sense of purpose in their walk. The hairs on the back of Daniel’s neck stood up as his instincts kicked into gear. The two men made a beeline for the women’s dressing rooms, where Risa and Kristy had been trying on clothes.
“Daniel? What is it?”
“A moment, Anna…”
His focus returned with hawklike clarity as he watched the officers approach the very dressing room where Risa was. They spoke briefly to Kristy, who’d been lounging in a chair by the entryway, blowing bubbles with her gum—she didn’t match the image of a oceanographic scientist at all. Though Daniel couldn’t hear the conversation, he could see something was wrong. Kristy looked visibly annoyed.
“Daniel, please—”
“Anna, play along with me for the time being, okay?”
“Daniel, I don’t know—”
He didn’t give her time to complete her objection, grabbing her hand and pulling her along with him as he made his way to the dressing room just in time to see one of the officers gingerly removing Risa from inside by the arm. Her expression was frozen into a mix of surprise, fear and repulsion. He knew he had to get her out of there. The last thing they needed was Risa Remington being taken to the police station.
Risa had been given a fake background documents recording fictional previous addresses, jobs, education and the like. The government had sent her on her way with a credit rating, a bank account and a few credit cards to get her going. She had a Massachusetts driver’s license and a car that she didn’t appear to use.
If the police checked her out, nothing would seem unusual, but Daniel doubted that she would be able to get through a police interview without drawing more attention to herself than she should. Depending on what she was involved in, if anything, drawing police attention could be dangerous. To her, to him, to anyone involved.
“Help? With what?” Anna huffed slightly as she matched his quick pace and he slowed, but only slightly.
“I’ll explain everything later.”
Anna grumbled something unintelligible but fell into step beside him. She would have made a solid agent, if she’d been inclined. She was the sibling he was the closest to; Daniel was one of five, two brothers, two sisters. Anna had always been the earth-mother type; even though she was the youngest, she’d wanted to take care of everyone. He slanted a look at her again, the roses blooming in her cheeks indicating that impending motherhood agreed with her.
The guard was gripping a resistant Risa by the forearm while the other argued with Kristy, who appeared slightly panicked while she tried to reason with the guy. Daniel and Anna cut into the fray.
“Excuse me, is there a problem here?”
All four people spun as he became the center of attention, and he saw the surprise reflected in Risa’s face as her eyes met his—as well as apprehension, and suspicion.
