Page 132 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Horvan let out a growl. “You fucking—”

Aelryn laid a hand on his arm, then gave the guard a nod. He opened the door, and Jake and Seth walked in. They pulled two chairs to join Horvan, Aelryn, and Saul, and sat, their faces impassive.

Fielding reacted instantly. He became very still. “Why are they here?”

Aelryn regarded him with a neutral expression. “I invited them. Do you have a problem with that? They’re here to help us with our… questioning.” He gave Fielding an inquiring glance. “Is there something wrong? You’re a little pale. Surely their presence doesn’t disturb you?”

Fielding recovered enough to manage a shrug. “Why should it?”

Then Jake lurched to his feet, and Fielding shrank back in his chair.

It looked as if Plan B was a go.

“I’ve heard every word so far, and you know what I’ve learned? This guy isn’t going to talk.” Jake’s words dripped with contempt. “Allhe’sgoing to do is dance around with words and waste our time.” He went over to where Fielding sat, leaned forward, and gripped the armrests. “So why not go straight to the source of all the information we need?”

Fielding quirked one eyebrow. “You haveanotherGeran to interrogate? My, youhavebeen busy.”

Horvan wasn’t fooled. The tremor in Fielding’s voice, the way he wouldn’t look Jake in the eye, the sweat that popped out on his brow….

Jake smiled. “You’re going to tell me everything I want to know.”

Fielding snorted. “Me? I doubt that.” He swallowed.

“You won’t have much choice in the matter, because if you won’tgiveus what we want, I’ll just have to take it. From your head.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

FIELDING FEIGNEDindifference. “Your mind-control tricks won’t work on me. I can shut you out.”

Jake arched his eyebrows. “You can try. Some of your scientists at the camp tried that too. Want to know how that went? And while we’re on the subject…mind control? Seriously?” He rolled his eyes. “Why would I evenwantto do something like that?” He leaned in closer until his face was barely an inch from Fielding’s. “No,myspecialties are psychometry and clairvoyance, although I do have other skills.” He smiled. “You know what psychometry is, don’t you, Fielding? Of course you do. And you’re about to get firsthand experience of it.” Jake glanced at Saul and Horvan. “Hold him still, please.”

They moved to either side of Fielding’s chair and grabbed his arms, although he struggled to free himself. Jake placed his fingers on Fielding’s temples.

Fielding glared at him. “It won’t work. What makes you think I’m going to cooperate?”

“You really don’t know how this works, do you? Who says I need your cooperation, anyway?” Jake narrowed his gaze. “Do I need to gag you? It’s bad enough that I have to be this close to you.” He closed his eyes, and a surge of emotion assaulted his senses, so strong he could almost smell it.

Interesting.

“He’s afraid.”

“What’s he afraid of?” Aelryn asked.

Jake concentrated. “Me… and….” He opened his eyes. “Who’s Theron?” Fielding’s gasp mingled with Aelryn’s, and Jake grinned. “I think I just hit a nerve.”

“You’re on the right track,” Aelryn confirmed. “Theron is a person of interest.”

Jake closed his eyes, shutting out the sight of Fielding’s contorted features. “I can see him. He’s… old. But there’s nothing frail about this guy. Power rolls off him in waves.”

“Where is he?” Horvan demanded.

Jake frowned. “He’s in a long room with a vaulted ceiling, like it’s underground someplace. Somewhere old. Can’t see much except….” He scowled. “Try and kick me out of this memory all you want, Fielding. It won’t do you any good. You can’t hide from me.”

Fielding’s muted whimper told Jake he knew it too.

Jake walked through the hallways of Fielding’s mind. “I’m in another room. Same place, I think. There’s a bed but little else. Someone’s sitting on it. A boy.” Jake stared at him. “Such a blank expression.” It sent a chill coursing through him. “Green eyes, bronze-brown hair.” Those eyes….

“Looks as if he’s maybe ten?” Saul asked.

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