Page 54 of Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case

“Ahhh, I got it. Please continue.”

“The more complex the thing, the more energy and mental focus it takes to pull off. I’m a mid-grade Materializer, so I can do things like make prostheses. But if it gets over ten layers, I am shit out of luck. I’d have to create it piecemeal and put it together.”

Fascinating. I seriously didn’t expect that answer. “So, say, a hand axe?”

“Easy. Even a base-level Materializer can make one.”

“Blood?”

“Not so easy,” she said. “Blood’s a my-level-and-higher thing. Also, the more complex things you make in a day, the more draining it is. I can do, at most, twenty prostheses in a day, if that tells you something. But that’s a rough day for me. I try to keep it around ten or fifteen.”

I felt like I was in a lecture and should be taking notes. “Say you were a high-tier Materializer, what would your limit be?”

“Hmm, somewhere around thirty or so? Maybe more if they run as hot as you. There’s limits even for them, though. Like, trying to materialize a phone, or a tablet, would be way too difficult.”

“Too many layers?” Donovan asked.

“Bing bing, give the man a cookie. It comes down to a cost-slash-benefit ratio on a lot of things. Is this worth me creating it, or would it be simpler to just go buy the item? Often the answer is go buy it.”

Her explanation completely made sense to me. She was really giving us some great answers, which helped narrow thefield some more. I already knew I was looking for a mid-tier Materializer just because of the blood.

“Does it require prep?”

“Hmm, yes and no. If I’m making something I never have before, I really study the blueprints of it before trying to make it. Since I’m limited on how much I can make in a day, I try to get it right the first time. I usually don’t succeed, mind you, but I do try. As for having the raw sources on hand? Naw, don’t need any of that. My imagination and willpower are enough.”

“Okay, switching topics slightly, is making physical things all you can do?”

Francesca blinked like I wasn’t making sense. “What else…do you want me to make…? Can’t make all dreams come true.”

“Not what I meant.” She was funny; I liked her. “Can you shield against another psychic?”

Francesca immediately shook her head. “Absolutely not. Not how my ability works. Even if I tried to create a physical shield to hold off another psychic, it would only be for physical attacks. I assume you mean like if someone—let’s say Grant Walker—was searching for me?”

“Exactly what I meant, yeah.”

“No way in hell could I hold him off. My ability just doesn’t work that way.”

“That’s really good to know.” It also narrowed down some possibilities. “Francesca, do you mind if we tap you for follow-up questions? We’re still trying to find the Materializer behind all of this, and right now, I don’t know what else to ask, but—”

She held up a hand. “Absolutely not a problem. Makes me mad someone is using their ability to cause harm. And I feel sorry for that poor man who was wrongfully convicted. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

Her head canted a little. “You know, most people ask why I’m working with animals instead of helping people.”

This prod amused me. “You like animals better than people. And honestly? Most days I agree with you.”

She laughed out loud in delight. “You’re all right, Jonathan Bane. Call me anytime. I’m really invested now.”

“Trust me, we will. In fact, we’re doing an appeal of Dwayne’s case soon. Can I ask you to be a material witness?”

“That was almost punny, but yes, I take your meaning and would be happy to. I think I’m the closest Materializer you’ve got to Nashville.”

“You’re not wrong.”

Her lips lifted in a bare smile. “Then please do call on me. I’m happy to see some real justice served.”

Yup, as expected, Francesca was my kind of people. Could I keep her? I really wanted to keep her.

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