Page 61 of Preying Game

She nodded, because anything would be fine with her, if she spent the time with Jonah.

He thought for a few moments. “You’d probably like the Baltimore Inner Harbor. It was a sleazy port area until it got redeveloped as a big tourist attraction. There are boats moored along the quay, an aquarium, shopping pavilions, restaurants. We can wander around and have some lunch.”

They ate at a seafood restaurant on the waterfront, then spent the afternoon taking in the sights.

As they sat on a park bench facing the old sailing ship, the USS Constellation, she said, “Tell me about Frank.”

“What do you want to know?”

“He’s unusual.”

“Like how?”

“He’s insightful. And I get the feeling he’s hooked into some kind of . . .” she shrugged. “I don’t know. Paranormal pipeline most people can’t access.”

“Interesting you think so. Let me give you a little background. He returned from one of the Iraq wars with half a leg missing.”

“The Iraq wars?”

He gave her a quick explanation.

“Okay. Back to Frank. I couldn’t tell about the leg.”

“Most people can’t. I think something happened to him over there or when he was at the Naval Medical Center recovering. Something he doesn’t talk about.”

“So you don’t think I’m right?”

“No I do. I think it’s something he has to keep secret.”

“Why?”

“Because none of us knows exactly where he lives or what he does when he’s not at the office—or at conferences looking for new recruits. But one thing you can see, he looks a lot younger than his age.”

“Which is what?”

“He’s in his late fifties—at least.”

“You’re right. He doesn’t look it.”

Jonah was silent for several moments, then said. “Here’s my crazy theory about Frank. When you were a kid, did you ever read the Narnia books?”

“Yes. I loved them.”

“Then you know they were about kids who had adventures in another time continuum. They could be gone for years, but when they came back, they were no older than when they left.”

“I remember.”

“I think Frank goes somewhere like that. It’s a good place for him. He’s not married, but if I had to guess, I’d say he has a lover there. It could be a whole harem, but I think he’s not that kind of guy.”

“That’s a lot of speculation.”

He shifted in his seat. “Okay, here’s my secret. For me, being a telepath means I’m always aware of people I care about. You. The other Decorah agents. Frank. I don’t mean I eavesdrop on them or know exactly where they are—but they’re part of the background in my head. And, um, when Frank goes away, he goes away. He’s not there.”

“My God. Do you talk to the other guys about it?”

“No. We never discuss his private life because we don’t want to jeopardize it for him.”

“In your case, because you love him like a father.”

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