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“MOM, CHECK THIS OUT,” Pris announced as Marrisa walked through the front door of the Kratos house.
As her mother turned to observe, Pris turned her chair toward the flat screen TV hanging on the wall at the foot of Clara’s bed, and closed her eyes. The screen flared for a moment before watery images of a woman swimming in a large body of water became visible. The woman was fully clothed, and swam to the nearby shore, where she strode out of the water past a sign which read “Welcome to Lake Tahoe.”
“What is that?” Marrisa asked, staggered. “Is that the woman who tried to kidnap you?”
“Yes, and Frank has been able to record it and take it to his IT people, who have sharpened the image enough to make a positive ID on her,” Pris beamed proudly.
“How did you explain coming up with the recording?” Marrisa asked Frank heatedly.
“Do what?” Pris cried. “Not how did you do that? Or even that’s absolutely amazing, Priscilla, just how did he explain having it?” Pris was evidently hurt. She had expected her mother to effuse over this newfound skill.
“I’m very impressed, in fact, I’m dumbfounded,” Marrisa replied. “But I’m more concerned with how Frank explained to his department the origin of the recording, being as he’s a reasonable and logical man.” She rounded on him. “How could you possible endanger my daughter by prompting questions you obviously couldn’t answer?”
Frank’s face was a mask of impassivity. He waited for Marrisa to pause before he spoke softly. “I explained that a contact I have in Tahoe had seen the posting of a local fisherman taking a video of a woman swimming in the lake in the fall, when the water is pretty darn cold, and fully clothed. I explained he found it on a chat site about odd things people do in Tahoe.”
Holding up his hand, he continued as Marrisa deflated. “I have a lot of contacts across the western states because I’m known as the detective who deals with odd, unusual, and even paranormal sightings.”
Marrisa stood with her face downcast for a long while before Frank approached her and touched her arm. “Do you honestly think I would do anything to jeopardize these children?”
Marrisa pulled away from his hand and walked to where Pris sat, still glaring at her. Kneeling in front of her daughter’s chair, she reached and took one of Priscilla’s hands. “I’m sorry I overreacted. I’ve been worried sick since the kidnapping attempt. I just wish we could all go somewhere that no one could find us until this all goes away.”
Shaking her head before anyone could retort, she continued. “I know that’s not possible, as I truly believe there is more at stake here than most people could even imagine. But it doesn’t stop me from wishing it.”
Rising, she walked back over to Frank. “I apologize for thinking less of you than I should,” she offered.
Tears were brimming on the verge of her lower eyelids, and she squeezed them away with a pinch of her thumb and forefingers. Frank reached out and gathered her into his arms, holding her quietly as she cried into his shoulder. After she recovered, they all shared their thought on how they could possibly capitalize on Pris’ newfound ability.
“Have you tried any other electronics, like an LCD display on an appliance, or a computer screen?” Marrisa asked.
“No, we just discovered it late this morning,” Clara replied. “Frank actually sent it to his IT person on that computer in the corner,” she said, pointing at a small laptop. Priscilla was already facing the computer and focusing on it. The screen bloomed, then settled into the same display they had seen before.
“Try thinking about someone you know,” Frank recommended.
“I really don’t know anyone that well,” Pris replied. “And I’m certainly not in complete control of this ability yet.”
“How about Butch?” Marrisa suggested. “Isn’t he the one you said shoved Ham into a closet?”
“I really don’t like thinking about him,” Pris replied.
“This isn’t about like or dislike, it’s about pushing your talent,” Raquel reminded her sternly, causing Clara’s eyes to flare.
Turning back to the flat screen TV, Pris closed her eyes. Instantly, the screen blossomed and they could all see Ham sitting in a room, staring out the window. As they watched, he wheeled backward from whatever it was he saw, recoiling in fear.
“I thought you were thinking about Butch?” Frank asked.
“I am, but this is what I see,” Pris replied, confusion apparent in her voice and face.
The door of the room burst open, and they could see a sidewalk and grass, with a street further away. Three men rushed into the room, and Ham punched at one as soon as he cleared the threshold. The lead man flew backward, taking the second one with him back out the door.
The third man had dropped to a prone position and now extended a pistol in Ham’s direction. Before Ham could change his focus and draw his arm back, a dart appeared sticking out of his chest. He raised a shaking hand toward it as he slumped forward against the restraints of his wheelchair.
Priscilla screamed and fainted.
Frank was immediately on the radio to the unit outside Ham’s home; they had seen the front bumper of it through the open door. Even as Ham collapsed, Pris’ vision had turned back to the door and they had watched the man on the floor disappear. Two other bodies sprawled unmoving on the sidewalk. The patrol officers did not respond.