Read Online Saint by Ted Dekker - Free Book Online Page B

or Jenine would need replacing soon.
    Agotha nodded absently. “A man like Carl presents certain risks. Frankly, his relationship with you could become a concern. Has he asked about his father since the last treatment?”
    Kelly blinked. “It was your plan that we bond. And yes, he said he couldn’t remember who his father was.”
    â€œYes, my plan, but I’m not sure the bond is strong enough. If his bond with you is ever compromised, he may become obsessive about knowing his origin, this father figure of his.”
    â€œYou want me to strengthen his bond with me?”
    â€œI didn’t say that. If the bond is too strong and something happens to you, we may lose him. It’s a tenuous balance.”
    â€œWith Carl as my guardian, it’s unlikely anything will happen to me. Right?”
    â€œRegardless. With Saint going on his first mission in two weeks, we need a new recruit.”
    â€œTwo weeks? So soon? You have the mission?”
    Agotha turned back to the monitor. “We’ve had it for a long—”
    She froze, eyes on the monitor.
    Kelly scanned the stats. “What?” For the second time in ten minutes, something about Carl’s situation had changed. This time it had nothing to do with his vitals.
    â€œDid you change the room temperature?” Kelly asked.
    â€œNo. It should read 150. You did nothing?”
    â€œNothing.”
    The temperature was now 140.
    â€œIt must be a malfunction,” Kelly said. “It’s happened—”
    â€œThe control hasn’t moved. How could it be a malfunction?”
    The same system that regulated the temperature in Carl’s pit fed a small closet that was measured by separate sensors. In this control, the temperature was still 150 degrees.
    â€œThen the thermometer has malfunctioned?” But she knew three separate meters measured temperature, and a quick glance at the computer told her that all three were down to 138.
    Agotha grabbed the phone, called Kalman, and then promptly hung up.
    â€œIt’s going back up,” Kelly said.
    They watched as the temperature rose and finally settled at 150.
    â€œHow’s that possible?”
    â€œBy the same physics that allow a monk to change the pH balance in water through meditation,” Agotha said excitedly. “By affecting the zero-point field. Let me know if it changes again.” Agotha changed screens, ran a quick diagnostic test for any system anomalies, then walked to the printer and watched her report print on continuous-feed paper. The printer stopped and she ripped the paper off the spool.
    â€œChanges?” she demanded.
    â€œStill 150.”
    The door behind them opened, and Kalman stepped in. He approached them, expressionless.
    Agotha handed him the report. He glanced up and down, then eyed her. “What is it?”
    â€œThe graph showing room temperature.”
    â€œSo you changed the temperature.”
    â€œWe didn’t change it.” The fire in Agotha’s eyes betrayed her passion. She was a scientist, not easily excitable, but at the moment, no matter how she tried to hide her feelings, she looked as if she might explode.
    He glanced at the chart again. Studied it in silence. His eyes lifted, but he did not lower the paper. “You’re suggesting that he did this?” “Do you have another idea?”
    He obviously didn’t.
    â€œWhen is he scheduled to come out?” Kalman asked.
    â€œHe has an afternoon drill with the others,” Kelly said.
    Kalman set the report on the table. “Bring him out now.”
    Agotha had talked often about the quantum physics behind the brain’s ability to affect its surroundings, but Kelly had never seen evidence of it. Focusing the mind, stripping memory, shutting out pain, seizing control of typically involuntary bodily functions, controlling emotions—mastery over these was unusual but had been demonstrated for years among the