The Enlightened (Mind Dimensions #3)(56)

“I think Kyle is planning to make it look like a mass shooting to cover up the fact that it’s an assassination,” Bert says. “A person going postal at a science convention raises less questions than a mafia hit, at least in this case. Now that I know about Guides and all that, I suspect some other crazy shootings can be attributed to—”

“Wait,” I say. “No conspiracy theories for the moment. What makes you think that’s what Kyle is planning to do?”

“Well, his usual way of operating is subtle—suicides and the like,” Bert explains. “Kyle makes these deaths look like no Pusher was involved. So he comes up with this plan. That man with the wacky eyes you asked about? He’s what made me suspect this course of action.”

Thomas looks at the paper with the weird-looking guy again. “He was a gym teacher who got fired after being accused of having a relationship with a student. Has a long history of mental illness. Recently purchased a lot of guns. I think Bert is right. Kyle chose this man for a reason.”

“Fine,” I concede. “Maybe there’s something to it. Do you think Kyle would personally supervise this plan? Do you think he’s going to be there?”

“He’s not going to be there,” Bert says. “According to his car’s anti-theft GPS system, he’s already there. His car was in the Columbia University parking lot when I last tracked him. That’s where the event is taking place.

I look at the conference printout more closely. Then I look at the clock on the dashboard. “Shit. This thing starts in twenty minutes.”

“I’m on it,” Thomas says and starts the car.

“Wait,” I say. “Bert, you’ve outdone yourself.”

“Oh yeah?” My friend grins. “I did owe you for introducing me to Hillary.”

“We’re almost even.” And that’s being generous. “Unless you two get married. In that case, I get your firstborn.”

“Wait,” Thomas says. “Him and Hillary?”

“Yep. Happy couple and all that. Which brings me to my point. I don’t need you for this next part, Bert.” I look at my friend. “My aunt wouldn’t be too happy with me if something happened to you.”

Bert gives a small sigh of relief, but then he says, “Are you sure, dude? You know I got your back.”

I fight the impulse to chuckle. The image of my small-framed friend taking on a giant mobster is just too much. But I don’t laugh. Bert probably would go with me if I asked, and that means a lot.

“I’m sure,” I tell him instead. “If you’re there, Kyle might take control of your mind and use you against us.”

“You’re right,” Bert says thoughtfully. “I’m still getting used to thinking that way.”

“I know,” I say. “But keep in mind, you’re our insurance in case something very unfortunate happens.”

“I am?” Bert looks surprised.

“Of course,” I say. “If something happens to us, tell Hillary about Kyle. She and Liz—the woman from the hospital—they’ll deal with him.”

“Though it shouldn’t come to that,” Thomas says after seeing Bert’s worried expression.

“Yeah,” I say. “But in case it does, I need another favor. Promise you’ll help my moms relocate somewhere with an electronic trail so invisible that even the witness protection people would envy it.”

“Of course,” Bert says solemnly. “Call me as soon as this thing is over,” he adds with uncharacteristic seriousness and gets out of the car.

“I will,” I say as my friend slams the door shut.

As soon as Bert is on the sidewalk, Thomas slams the gas pedal, and we’re off.





Chapter 20





“I doubt it’ll work, but I figured I’d at least try to talk you out of this,” Thomas says as he expertly navigates the busy streets of Manhattan. He’s driving fast, but he seems so in control that his driving doesn’t freak me out like Mira’s and Caleb’s. “You know we can get Kyle another day—a day when we have Guide reinforcements.”

“You’d let him murder all those people?” I ask.

“You have a good point,” Thomas says. “But there are other things we can do, like call the police about a bomb threat. Kyle would then have to reconsider his plan. And if he leaves any evidence of what he was planning behind, that would create a strong case against him for the Elders.”

“You still insist we hand him over to these Elders? Even though you don’t know what they’ll do with him?”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t just slap him on the wrist for—”

“No,” I interrupt. “I’m not interested in that. I’m not taking any chances. Kyle will die. Nice and simple.”

Thomas gives me a glance that probably means ‘you’re cold.’

“So what’s the plan?” he asks as he turns onto the highway. “You do have one, right?”

“Not really. At least not an elaborate one,” I admit. “But I’m thinking this: I scout the conference once we get there. Find Kyle in the Quiet. Bring him into the Quiet. Kill him there to make him Inert. Then kill him in the real world.”