Free Face Off by Emma Brookes Page B

around past the people with their arms in the air. Try to see a road sign, an address—maybe a landmark.”
    Jessie’s face contorted as she fought to bring the scenes back. After a few seconds her head snapped to the side as though she were listening for something. “There is a hill, a big hill that looks something like a bridge. I think the people are screaming. Their faces show … fright I think.” She hesitated again, then spoke. “That’s it. That’s all I can see; all I remember.”
    â€œWhat about the monkeys, Jessie? Are they in cages? Maybe at the zoo? Try to bring it into focus. See all that you can possibly see.”
    Again Jessie squeezed her eyes tightly shut, concentrating on the visions she had seen flashing by while she waited in the car.
    â€œSlow them down, sweetie. Sometimes you have to slow them down.”
    â€œAn umbrella! One of the monkeys has a blue umbrella. And one is riding in a little red wagon!”
    â€œGood, Jessie. It has to be some sort of a show. The monkeys are part of an act. Do you want to try an experiment?”
    â€œSure. I’m up for anything that will help us find Amy.”
    â€œOkay, Jessie, I’m going to take your hands in mine. Then I want you to bring it all back. Relive that moment in the car when you heard Amy.” Suzanne reached over and took Jessie’s hands. She felt a slight tingling run up her arms and across her neck. Good. They were connecting.
    She had only tried this once before, with a young mother whose baby had been snatched from her at the mall. The woman had been so upset, so crazed with grief, that her ability as a witness was affected. Suzanne had held her hands and relived that terrible moment with her. However, Suzanne, with her keen eye for detail and cool detachment, had noticed things the mother had missed. They were able to find the kidnapper with the information Suzanne provided. So often her own particular type of psychic ability was helpful only after a death. It had been thrilling to bring that baby back to his mother’s arms alive.
    â€œNow, Jessie. You are sitting in my car waiting for me. What happened? Remember it all.”
    Instantly, Suzanne heard the voice. “Jessie, please! Please come for me!”
    Then other images began clicking through Suzanne’s mind: monkeys, a man with a beard, people with their arms in the air. They flashed by in rapid succession, becoming almost a blur.
    Suzanne took a long, deep breath. “Try to relax, Jessie. Breathe in as far as you can, then let it out slowly. Think of the images. Pretend they are a slide show, and you are slowing the pictures down so everyone can get a good look.”
    Jessie took a long, shuddering breath. The images continued to click by rapidly. She felt her head spinning as a wave of nausea overtook her. She released Suzanne’s hands, then flung herself down on the couch.
    â€œI’m sorry. I don’t feel so good.”
    Suzanne grabbed on to Jessie’s hands again. The vision came through clearly, and she watched as Amy dropped to the floor, then tried to get back on her feet. She could feel the dizziness as Amy’s eyes looked around briefly, then closed as she slumped to the floor.
    Instantly, Jessie sat back up. “It’s gone. I was feeling so sick, but now I’m fine. Weird! Totally weird!”
    â€œYou were feeling Amy’s sickness. I saw her. I felt it, too. Her head was spinning, then she must have blacked out. I’m almost certain that was all it was.”
    â€œDid you see the monkeys? Did you?” Jessie demanded.
    â€œYes. I saw all that you told me about. But I couldn’t slow them down. I don’t understand that. I can almost always control the scenes—slow them down or telescope out for a broader view—but this time I couldn’t.”
    â€œProbably because I couldn’t,” Jessie said. “You were getting into my mind