Free Sinner by Ted Dekker Page B

you. Some prefer dead, some alive, but then you’ve probably already figured that out.”
    â€œNo,” Darcy said. “I haven’t figured anything out. I was sleeping and this maniac boarded up my house and he . . .” She swallowed and faced Billy, eyes wide.
    Thank you, Billy. You’re like an angel. I could kiss you right now!
    He felt heat in his face and looked back at Kinnard, whose mind he could not read, thanks to the glasses.
    â€œObviously you know more than we do,” Billy said. “Tell us.”
    â€œHow much do you know?”
    â€œJust tell us everything,”Billy said.“We need to know what you know.”
    Kinnard nodded and walked to his right. “Fair enough.You were both part of an experiment that went all wrong thirteen years ago. I’m sure you remember that much.”
    â€œI’m not sure I want to hear this,” Darcy said, eyes misted with tears.
    Billy nodded. “Like I said, tell us what you know. All of it.”
    â€œWhat I know was told to me by David Abraham, the director of the monastery, but then you both know that. What you may not know is that he’s no longer with us.”
    â€œDead?” Billy blinked.
    â€œLong story I won’t go into now.He told me about Project Showdown.” Kinnard paced, face toward them. “An incredible story about a project sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church that left Paradise, Colorado, in shambles and thirty-six orphans homeless. Damaged for life. The project was designed to study the effects of isolation and indoctrination on children. An attempt to create ‘noble savages’ destined to live lives pure enough to change the world. Three of you—you two and a boy from Paradise named Johnny Drake—came away not only damaged but gifted. Of course, I believed none of it. Until I met Johnny Drake.”
    â€œSo you know him?” Darcy said. “If he’s still alive, how could Billy and I be the last two?” She glanced at the carpet stain left by the assassin’s head wound.
    â€œJohnny wasn’t technically from the monastery,” Billy said. “We’re the last two orphans from the monastery.”
    â€œCorrect,” Kinnard said. “And if Johnny is right, you’re the only other two who have . . .” He left it there.
    â€œThis crazy power,” Billy finished.
    Kinnard’s jaw flexed. “So it’s real, then. The three of you received inhuman powers from the books you wrote in as children.” He lifted a hand and ran it through his hair. “Your powers are the same as his?”
    â€œYou’re wearing glasses,” Billy said.
    â€œI learned that from Johnny. The effectiveness of the power has something to do with eye contact. Johnny never subjected me to his . . . his gift, but I’ve seen it work.”
    â€œWhat in the world are you talking about?” Darcy demanded. “I don’t know anything about Johnny or gifts.How did you happen to find me—us—anyway?”
    â€œI made a vow to David Abraham. No contact until you came out, so to speak, but the minute I heard what happened to Billy in Atlantic City I left Washington.”
    â€œHow did you know to come here?” Billy pushed.
    â€œI’ve had a team keeping close tabs on both of you ever since my last meeting with Johnny, nearly a year ago. Your car is tagged with an electronic signal.”
    Kinnard turned to Darcy. “You think that the executive board at your plant doubles employees’ salaries every day?”
    She stared at him, confused.
    â€œJust an educated guess at this point, but I think David was right. I think your powers have to do with your voices and ears and eyes. Johnny can make a man see; Billy can hear thoughts, can’t you, Billy?”
    So he did know. Billy’s mind flashed back to the courtroom. A person who knew what to look for might easily suspect what Kinnard had just