The Thought Pushers (Mind Dimensions #2)(58)

“No, don’t.” Lowering her hands, she looks up, her eyes glittering brightly. “He’s the key to the f*cker who’s pulling the strings.”

I exhale, relieved she didn’t take me up on my hasty offer. I might’ve balked at doing something that cold-blooded.

“So you want to go to the meeting at the Brooklyn Bridge?” I ask as she gets up from the chair.

“Yes. Once he brings us to the Pusher, I’ll kill them both.” Her voice is cold and sharp. “If we kill him now, the Pusher might get spooked.”

“Okay, but—”

“Let’s get back to the car. Let’s not get into any particulars just yet,” she says, striding toward the door.

I reluctantly follow her. As much as I want to catch this Pusher, I’m really not looking forward to confronting Arkady and his colleagues.

“Sorry about earlier,” she says over her shoulder. “I just needed to vent.”

“Of course, no worries,” I say, and then we walk in silence for a few moments.

When we reach the car, I touch my neck through the open Lexus door, and the world comes back to life.





Chapter 25


“Please let me drive,” Mira says as soon we’re out of the Quiet.

Given her mental state, I decide to comply. Arguing with an angry Mira doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. The girl definitely has a short fuse. Besides, I have some phone calls to make, given where we’re heading.

As soon as she’s behind the wheel, she floors the gas pedal, causing the Lexus to make a tire-screeching sound.

I take out my phone, happy to focus on something other than the streets of Brooklyn that are flashing by the car window much too fast.

“I’m calling Caleb,” I tell Mira as I locate his number in my phone.

“That’s a good idea,” she says approvingly. “I was going to ask Julia to do this at the hotel, but this is even better. You two have a nice rapport.”

“If Caleb and I have a nice rapport, I shudder to think how he treats people he dislikes,” I say and dial the number on my screen.

The phone rings for a while. I wait.

Then it connects, but no one says anything on the other line.

“Hello?” I say carefully.

“Who? Oh, Darren.” I hear Caleb’s surprised tone. “Miss me already?”

“I can use your help, Caleb,” I say, ignoring the jibe. “We can use your help.”

“Oh, cutting right to the chase? I like it.” Caleb sounds a bit less sarcastic. “What do you—the plural you—need?”

“Some of your unique help tonight,” I say. “There’s this—”

“Darren, let me stop you right there,” Caleb interrupts. “I’m not in town. In fact, I’m out of state.”

“Shit,” I say.

“What’s going on, Darren? Is it something serious?”

“Yes, it is, but I don’t want to go into it right now,” I say. “Not over the phone. I’ve got to think of something else.”

“Are you in trouble? I can put you in touch with Sam or one of my other people.”

“Sam the Asshole? You’re kidding, right?”

“Sam’s in charge in my absence, so he’s the logical choice.”

“No, thanks. I think we’ll manage.”

“Suit yourself—there’s nothing I can do that Sam can’t. The man is a machine. If I weren’t the one with charisma, he’d be in charge,” Caleb says, and I can’t tell if he’s joking or not.

“I appreciate that,” I say. “And I may call you back about it, but I really think I’d rather work with someone I know.”

Mira parks the car in the hotel parking lot, so I tell Caleb I have to get off the phone.

“Sure,” he responds. “Let me know if you change your mind about Sam or if there’s anything else you need.”

“Well,” I say as Mira exists the car, “I do have one quick question . . .”

“What is it, kid?”

“Do you know a guy named Mark Robinson?”

There is a moment of silence. Then: “Why do you ask? Where did you hear that name?”

“Jacob mentioned him,” I say noncommittally.

“Hmm, that’s odd. He’s ancient history. One of our people who was murdered. A nasty affair. Do you know why Jacob mentioned him to you?”

“No,” I say. Then, cognizant that Mira is about to come back and drag me out, I add quickly, “Thanks, Caleb. I’ll call back later if we end up needing Sam.”

“Okay.” He hangs up, probably still wondering about my weird question. I guess he has no idea Mark had a son.

I phase into the Quiet and take a moment to digest what I just learned.

My father was a Reader. There is no doubt about that now. And my mother was a Guide. What I suspected ever since discovering my Guiding abilities has now been confirmed. And the theory of my parents being killed for their forbidden union is beginning to sound more plausible.

I phase back out and join Mira outside.

“So, judging by what I overheard, Caleb isn’t available?” Mira says as she briskly walks toward her room. She’s texting as she goes, and I assume she’s communicating with Eugene.