Taken (Second Sight) by Hazel Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

had pursued clues. But with the weight of the FBI in Los Angeles behind the case, and headquarters in the Federal Building, there was no reason to fly her out.
    “Mac,” she said, answering her phone. “I hope there’s good news.”
    He had to smile. Direct. To the point. Her expertise was situation management and communication and it showed.
    “No,” he said. He paused, reconsidering what he was about to ask. But he’d already made his decision. He plunged on. “I need a favor.”
    “Name it,” Sharon replied.
    “Don’t be so quick to agree,” Mac cautioned her. “You haven’t heard what I’m asking.”
    “All right,” Sharon said. “I’m waiting.”
      “We’re wading through security video here,” Mac said. “I’m sure you can imagine.”  
    Details of the circumstances of Isabelle’s abduction had flown across the country in seconds when they’d realized she’d been taken under their own noses.
    “I can,” Sharon said and Mac knew that was true. She’d come up with the manpower to watch the security videos of the hospital where the last victim had been taken.
    “It’s not going to happen in time,” Mac said. “It’s physically impossible.”
    “I agree,” Sharon said, keeping her responses short, still waiting.
    “I need computer time,” Mac said.
    There was a pause on the other end.
    “Okay,” she said slowly.
    “ Big computer time,” he said. “Like super big. Like the joint project computer developed by the CIA and FBI for Homeland Security. You know the one.”
    The two agencies had come under intense fire for not cooperating but had found common ground in the need for a distributed, networked, super-computer that was fast enough and big enough to handle the vast amounts of data that were becoming the bread and butter of the country’s security.
    “Homeland Security,” Sharon said. “I know the one or ones . Too bad I work for the FBI.”
    Mac clenched his teeth. He knew what he was asking was huge.
    “But I know you, Sharon. You’ve got pull in places most people don’t even know exist. Everyone has been through your program. You’ve trained them all . I need time on that kind of computer. I can get the data to you on a fiberoptic line.”
    “I’m sure you know,” Sharon said slowly, “that homeland security is the point of that kind of computer.” Neither would commit to saying a specific network, aware that this very call was likely being logged and analyzed by that very agency. “I’m sure that an abduction by a serial killer wouldn’t qualify.”
    Mac stared down at his shoes and paced next to the curb.
    “I know you’re right,” he said. “I told you not to be too quick to agree.”
    There was a long pause.
    “Even so,” she finally said. “I’d be interested in seeing your data. For training purposes, of course.”
    Yes .
    “You’ll have it within the hour.”

    • • • • •

    Prentiss paced quickly in the corridor, glancing into the cell each time he passed it. Isabelle hadn’t moved. She was breathing shallowly and her heartbeat was strong but the water in the face hadn’t woken her. He looked at the puddle under the cot. He’d dumped the entire bottle and, in the end, worried he was suffocating her.
    How had something so good turned so bad?
    He reversed direction and glanced into the cell.
    Wake up!
    How had she known about his mother?
    He stopped.
    Because she’s a psychic!
    He knocked himself in the side of the head.  
    Idiot! Of course!  
    He felt his heartbeat slow down and he took a deep breath. Then he laughed and shook his head.  
    Of course she knew about his mother. She’s a psychic.
    For a moment, he had panicked, like that dream where you realize you’re naked in the middle of a crowded room.
    He laughed again.
    A low and anguished moan came from the cell.
    Prentiss smiled and turned toward it, in control again.
    “Don’t start without me,” he chided.

    • • • • •

    Isabelle’s stomach