Clausen doesn’t make me wait long to find out. I’m excused from my private session after lunch, and he leads me down the familiar path to The Room. My pulse pounds with each step, my palms sweaty and warm. I tuck them in my back pockets, doing my best to seem surprised by everything I’m seeing. Meanwhile, my mind is racing with counter-thoughts. I could probably still escape this nightmare. Maybe they’d let me go home if I promised to keep my mouth shut. I still don’t really know anything, right? And they think I know even less than I do. Daniel’s survived years of this. He’d be okay on his own. This isn’t my fight. He’d forgive me for abandoning him. Hell, he begged me to leave.
He would forgive me, but I wouldn’t.
Light from the end of the hall illuminates the dark corridor and chills me with its odd appeal. The warm glow emanating from such a terrifying place only magnifies its horror and chips at my resolve. Clausen seems to sense my hesitation and grabs my arm, nearly pulling me forward.
“Top secret research labs,” he explains as we walk. “Most students and faculty don’t even know about this floor. Only those with top-level clearance have access. This is quite the honor, Rebecca. I told you, you were special.”
He’ll have to forgive me for not hugging him with gratitude.
It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the light when we step inside the room. As soon as they do, my gaze settles on Daniel, and his expression shatters me. Regret. Apology. He wishes I’d run.
I’m even more relieved I didn’t.
“This morning was unfortunate, but it brought us together, so we can’t deny the success,” Clausen begins in a matter-of-facttone. Daniel studies the floor, and I see they’ve extinguished his characteristic fire. Clausen clears his throat and focuses on me. “We’re looking for memories of a man in his mid-forties. He’s the CEO of Emmit Market Corporation and would be in Daniel’s past from about three months ago.”
I nod and let my eyes meet Daniel’s. The panic building in his expression mirrors mine, but it’s too late to resist. He flinches at my touch. Does he feel the same sparks I do every time we touch?
I pull away. “Nothing. I only saw a meal from many years ago.”
“Try again,” Clausen says. “Keep trying until you see him.”
“This could take days. She obviously can’t control what she sees,” Daniel mutters.
“Then we’ll sit here for days. What do you see now?”
“A swimming pool surrounded by a fence.”
“How old is Daniel?”
“Just a child.”
“And now?”
I feel the blood drain from my face. “He’s in this room.”
Clausen seems pleased. “Is anyone else in the room?”
I nod and try to steady my breathing. “You, another woman, and a man of about fifty with an expensive blue suit.” Daniel shoots me a warning look.
Clausen steps forward. “Red tie? Dark glasses?”
I can’t look at Daniel when I nod.
Clausen exchanges a glance with one of his colleagues. “Senator Albertson,” he whispers to himself. “Keep going with this one. Forget about the CEO. What’s happening in the vision?”
Daniel jerks in the chair. “I already told you Albertson was clean. There’s nothing you can use!”
“Shut up. We’re finished talking to you. What do you see, Rebecca? Can you see inside the Senator’s head?”
I’m flustered now. It doesn’t help that Daniel is clearly trying to relay a message of his own that I can’t interpret. He gives up and returns his attention to the director. At least the anger is back. I feel safer with him in fight mode.
“She can’t see shit like that. You might as well let her go. She’s not going to be able to help you even if she wanted to.”
“How do you know?” Clausen asks, glaring at him.
Daniel returns his heated gaze. “You know I know.”
“Maybe you do, but I also know how well you can lie.”
