Chapter Seven
The whole thing was a bust. Sheridan got nothing on the location of Rachel McHugh. She was accurately able to find
out where the objects came from and why they were her favorites, but that was it. By 2:00, everyone in the room
was frustrated with the situation.
"Okay," Agent Phillips said, "Why don’t we all take a break and meet here at, let’s say...6:00.
Maybe we can think of another way to get what we need."
They all dispersed.
"Oh, boy, am I hungry," Sheridan said.
"Why don’t we get a bite to eat at the Book Cafe. How does that sound? Plus, it’s a beautiful day. Why don’t
we go for a walk in the parkafterwards."
"That sounds great, Luis."
They were drinking a soda on a bench in Lighthouse Park when Luis turned to Sheridan. She felt him looking at her
and turned her head. Their faces were just inches apart. Sheridan felt her pulse quicken.
He spoke first. "I have to apologize to you."
"For what?"
"For a lot of things. For automatically assuming you were a bad person when you ran into my car, just because
your last name was Crane. Fordoubting you had psychic abilities."
"What do you think now?"
"Judging by what I saw last night and this morning with the McHugh’s, I know you are a good person. You handled
the two of themmarvelously...You handled me marvelously. The jury is still out of the psychic thing, though. I’m
beginning to believe in it," he answered.
He stood up. "Let’s walk."
Sheridan reached up to grab the arm he offered and stood. They walked arm in arm down a path that headed towards
a children’s playground. Doing this felt like the most natural thing in the world.
She glanced over at the playground and stopped to watch the children. She smiled as she watched a child try to
keep a swing in motion. Then she tensed.
Luis looked down at her. She was staring intently at the swings. He knew without a doubt that she was seeing something.
He was right. The vision she was having was in black and white. She could see a playground with a building behind
it. It was probably a school, or maybe a daycare center. Children were all around, swinging, running, climbing
the monkey bars.
And in a corner of the playground, near the seesaw was Rachel McHugh. Her eyes were scared and she mouthed something
to Sheridan. It looked like, help me.
Then it was gone. Sheridan spun around to face Luis. He searched her face, as thought he might be able to figure
out what she saw.
"A...a playground," she stammered. "He’s keeping her near a building, a school with a playground.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
"We should get back to Agent Phillips."
"Oh, Luis," Sheridan cried. "She’s so scared. I hope we can find her. It breaks my heart to have
seen her so afraid."
A tear trickled down her cheek and Luis reached up to brush it away.
"It’s okay, Sheridan. We’ll get to her. I know we will. You just have to believe."
"I don’t know if I can. What if I’m wrong?"
"Have faith in yourself. It’s time you bring this bastard down!" |
