Free Earth Ship Protectress: Book Two in the Freddy Anderson Chronicles by John Ricks Page B

Handelson. I looked at him and touched his open mind. I quickly stepped back behind the master chief. Three of the team members were on him in a second. He never moved a muscle, as I had him brain-tied, but his eyes followed me like I was some kind of devil. The master chief asked, “What’s up, Freddy?”
    “Did you screen this person?”
    “Yes. The lie detector gave no adverse indications.”
    “It should have. He’s been hypnotized, but that would not fool my equipment. Bring me that lie detector, please.”
    The commander went to the office and returned with the lie detector. I used my powers to look inside and saw that someone had tampered with it. “Interesting. Who transferred here first—Seaman Apprentice Weatherington or Lieutenant Handelson?”
    “Weatherington transferred in first. Why?”
    “She may have messed with this device.”
    The commander ordered, “Bring her back here, and kill him if he moves.”
    Everyone moved back even farther than they had already.
    I moved to the next new member. “What is your name?” I asked.
    Trembling, she said, “I’m Dorothy … Personnelman third class (PN3) Dorothy Pendelson.”
    “Interesting. Any relation to Professor Jim Pendelson at MIT?”
    “He’s my father,” she said with a smile.
    “Great man. I’ve read most of his books. May I look deep into your thoughts? I’m sorry, but Lieutenant Handelson has made it necessary.”
    “My father said you’d want to do that. Yes, you may, and thank you for asking first.”
    I took a good look. She had an interesting mind, but there was no hidden agenda except to try to talk me into letting her father come for a visit. She was here because her father asked her if she would like to make her dreams come true, and she had said yes. Since childhood, she had wanted to be part of something great, something having to do with space exploration. This was her chance, and she’d be faithful and true. Apparently, her father was very interested in what I was doing and how he and his colleagues could help.
    I opened my eyes and smiled at her. “I like you. You’re honest, and I think you’ll make a great addition to the team. I have no problem with the professor coming to visit me, as long as I’m made aware of it in advance. I think a great man like your father deserves the courtesy of my being present when he arrives. Don’t you?”
    “Yes. Thank you.”
    Seaman Apprentice Weatherington was brought back in.
    “I have only one question for you,” I said. “Did you tamper with this lie detector?”
    “No!”
    “Remove her. She’s lying again. Commander, apparently she was paid to tamper with this unit so that the next person would not be detected, and then she reconnected the equipment after his interview. I can see how she tampered with it. She’s very lucky that I removed the explosives, as otherwise, she and half this building would be missing right now. Now I need to find out why.” I stayed way back from him as I looked up at Mr. Handelson and said, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice.”
    He bit down hard on his teeth.
    I held out my hand to reveal a tooth. “Looking for this?”
    He glared at me.
    The commander took the tooth. She glared at the man but directed her comments to me. “Freddy, any chance you might see fit to let us have him? I’d like to have the girls play with him for a few days.”
    That request scared even me. I put my hand on her arm and said, “After I finish with him, we can talk about it.” For just a second I could see fear in his eyes, and then it was gone.
    I raised my hand, closed my eyes, and entered his mind. Shortly, I knew all I needed to know. I looked at him and said, “Thank you for the information.” I looked at the commander and said, “He’s an army spy. He’s working for a general in the Pentagon. His name is really Robert Handelson, and his rank is the equivalent of a lieutenant in the navy. Captain, I think the army generals