Read Online New Markets - 02 by Kevin Rau - Free Book Online Page B

sealed over.  My eyes shifted back and forth when I noticed that both Lance and the receptionist were watching me.  "What?  You try having giant claws on your fingers."
    Lance shook his head and looked back at the receptionist.  "What time did she check out?"
    The receptionist looked back at her computer and said, "9:32 a.m.  So you just missed her."
    I growled, "I can't fricking believe this."
    Lance said, "She would be pretty obvious, wearing an all white costume that leaves the shoulders bare.  Long gold hair.  Did she leave with anyone else?"
    "She did, with an F.B.I. agent.  She was here under security, so he had to release her."
    I asked, "What does that mean, 'under security?'"
    "She was being held for something.  Anyone the police or F.B.I. bring in that needs medical attention but is officially in custody is handled like that."
    I growled again.  I called her one more time, and again the call went directly to voice mail.  "Back to the house, and that guy better have an answer this time."
    Lance nodded, "I agree.  Thank you, miss.  You have a great day."
    She smiled at him, "You too."
    We went back to the car, and drove back to the kidnap victim’s house again.  Even Lance was becoming irate; he kept gripping his legs during the trip.  I found it interesting that his muscles felt like steel and barely moved when I pressed on them, but when he did it they moved more like normal.  Normal for a body builder, at least.
    After a while Lance said, “Perhaps I should do the talking back at the house.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re on edge.  You’re fidgeting as you drive, making little clawing motions on occasion.  You’re also growling.  I have a feeling that if things don’t go well you’ll attack someone, and we don’t need that.”
    I growled.  He’s right, though I don’t have to like it.   “All right, fine.  They better cough up some answers, though.”
    We arrived back at the kidnap victim’s house.  Hmm, kidnappers.  Once we find Steph, we can help take them out.   We walked back up to the house, Agent Dunsworth came outside to meet us before we reached the doorway.  He looked worried.
    Lance said, "We meet again, Agent Dunsworth.  I hope this time you'll be a little more forthcoming."
    Agent Dunsworth adjusted his tie and said, "Listen, Psystar still isn't here."
    "We're aware of that.  Which agent checked her out of the hospital, and what is his phone number?"
    "What?  I didn't even know that she was out."
    "Why was she brought there?  You know more than you are saying."
    "Let me make a call, see if I can get an answer."
    "You're running out of time, Dunsworth.  Black Tiger's already pacing his cage; this whole situation looks rather dubious.  Luring a H.E.R.O. agent down here.  Doing something to her; hospitalizing her with F.B.I. lockdown on release.  Lying or concealing information from other federal agents looking into her missing whereabouts.  Whatever you're involved in, it needs to get cleared up pretty darn soon.  Make your call, but get an answer on where she's at."
    Agent Dunsworth opened his mouth, closed it, turned and walked away.  He pulled out his cell phone and made a call as he walked away.  Lance turned and looked at me.  He was about to say something, but I held up my hand to stop him.  I cocked my head slightly and listened to Dunsworth's phone ring.  Enhanced hearing had its uses.
    A man picked up on the other end, "Willman."
    "Joseph, it's Roger.  I've got a couple of metas here looking for Psystar.  They know she was in the hospital.  How did she get out?"
    "I released her.  Dimmer caused her to do that psychic scream when he dragged her away from the perp.  We're still at the hospital, the hero's doing her mind thing on the perp now."
    "So what's the status on the meta then?"
    "She's back to helping us again."
    "What do you want me to tell these two metas?  They're getting pissed off at me.  One of them looks like he'd like to tear my