Free Feel the Heat by Desiree Holt

possession of her.” His smile was more smug than humorous. “Think of all the wealthy people in the world who have incurable diseases, not to mention their families. How much do you think they’d pay for a cure? Millions. Perhaps in some case even billions. But first I want to make sure the stories about her are real.”
    He knew there were some who would ask how much money is enough, but for Olberman the answer was…no answer. There would never be enough. Money was power and he ate power like a starved animal.
    McFadden lifted an eyebrow. “And I assume this patient…” He looked down at the folder. “Clark Hauser is part of that plan?”
    Olberman nodded. “He is. I chose him over others because he’s in a San Antonio hospital. The Cahill woman lives there and rarely travels. This should be convenient for her. I want you to go there. Use one of the jets and take Fred Bonner with you. Contact the wife. Offer her five hundred thousand dollars, no strings attached, if she will call Lauren Cahill and beg her to come heal her husband.”
    “Why do we need to offer that much? Or anything? Can’t we just plant the seed and give her the idea to call the woman?”
    “No. Vivian says she’s beside herself trying to figure out how to pay her husband’s medical bills. This will take care of that and more. Tell her a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous wants to help.” He flicked an ash into the receptacle. “But there is to be no mention of this to anyone. And she must ask the Cahill woman to arrive secretly to avoid the media.”
    McFadden snorted. “Exactly how is she supposed to do that? From what I saw on television the other day, they’re practically camped out on her lawn.”
    “If she’s smart, she’ll find a way. Tell Mrs. Hauser to plead her case successfully if she wants the money.”
    “All right.” The other man rose from the chair. “I’ll get hold of Bonner and tell him we’re taking a little trip.”
    “I expect you to be successful,” Olberman warned.
    McFadden gave him a smile that was definitely not humorous. “Aren’t I always?”
    “There will be another nice bonus for you this time, so be sure you succeed.”
    “No problem.”
    When the door had closed behind him, Olberman turned to look out at the grounds surrounding the house again and the mountains in the distance. Yes, this would be a perfect place to set Lauren Cahill up, for as long as her powers lasted. Out of reach of anyone but those he sold her services to.
     

Chapter Four
     
    “Geoff, I really appreciate the offer,” she insisted, gripping her cell phone. “Truly I do. And thank Lissa for me too. But I’m perfectly safe here. I have a great security system and someone…helping with the crowd and everything. And I really don’t want to bring the craziness into your home.”
    “I want you to know I’m here for you,” he told her.
    He hadn’t been too happy about the articles in the papers, online and on television but then she couldn’t blame him. The results of her notoriety couldn’t help but spill over onto the rest of her family. Her mother still refused to accept that she had a special ability, denying her own Cherokee heritage when anyone mentioned it. Her father of course supported her mother and resented the surrounding hoopla. Geoff and Lissa had been neutral, which she supposed was something to be thankful for.
    She wanted to tell her brother his timing sucked but she didn’t want to be rude. It was just that today had been a little quieter, with a Phoenix Agency guard keeping things quiet outside and all the phones unplugged from the landline except the one in her office. She wasn’t stupid enough to think it was over but at least she had a few moments of respite.
    “I know that and I appreciate it. Really. But I don’t want to bring this craziness to your house. This damn circus will just shift location.”
    “I’m not sure you should have a stranger staying there with you,” Geoff