Free Mind Games by M.J. Labeff Page B

pucker, wringing her hands. He didn’t think he was going to like what she was about to say.
    “She drowned.”
    “Oh, baby.” He went to her and pulled her close. Her clasped hands unfolded, rising up his chest. She flattened her palms against him. “When did this happen?”
    “That’s just it, I don’t know. Derrick, I’m scared. I didn’t want to tell you this, but I saw her. It’s the girl that was in my house. The same girl that I saw in the ocean.”
    He hugged her closer to him. “No, baby, you didn’t see her. You’re just trying too hard to remember something from your past. Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?”
    “Because I just figured it out, and it doesn’t make sense. I told her we had to get back, and she wouldn’t come with me and I-I watched her…” Her hands dashed off his chest and flew around her mouth.
    “What? What is it?” He stroked her hair from her face and pulled her hands away from her mouth.
    “I watched her walk backward into the ocean, and I let her die. I helped her die. Oh. My. God. Derrick, what have I done?”
    He looked directly into her eyes. “It’s okay, baby. You haven’t done anything.”
    “Why can’t I remember? Something awful happened to that girl. I just know it. When I watched her taking her life, I couldn’t stop her. Why?” Agony creased the corners of her eyes, and worry sprouted fine lines between her slender brows. She rocked back and forth on her heels. He squeezed her hands in his and steadied her.
    Sparrow had a firm grasp on reality. The story sounded crazy, but Derrick believed her past was trying to tell her something. Perhaps she’d witnessed the suicide on the beach and hadn’t known the girl at all? There were so many possibilities. He didn’t want to suggest anything to her, as implanting unnecessary information could make things worse, and she might never sort out the memory.
    “Whatever happened will eventually come to you. But it might not be a bad idea to see a hypnotherapist.”
    “No, Derrick. Please, telling you has been hard enough.”
    He placed his hands on the tops of her shoulders. “Okay, but promise me you’ll talk to me as you figure things out.” She nodded in agreement.
    “Let’s go find that girl. At least I might be able to help her.”
     

Chapter 9
     
    Sparrow sat in silence while Derrick drove through the dark corridors and hidden alleys of Los Angeles’ inner-city streets. She tried to remain optimistic for him. How did he expect to find this girl with the supposed broken or twisted ankle? Derrick was convinced the two kids would squat in the same area, or somewhere close by. If she were those kids she’d stay as far away from the scene of the crime as possible. However, Derrick had more experience dealing with these kids and their patterns, so she’d deferred decisions to him.
    “They’ll probably stay as far away as possible from the usual Mobile Health Clinic locations, but if we don’t find her tonight we might want to check in the morning at the free needle exchange program. If she wanted methadone, she’s a heroin addict.”
    “Great idea. We’ll see if she isn’t with the boyfriend with the camouflage backpack where they assaulted me first. I bet they’re living on the beach at High Point. They looked the type. You know the area? I usually go over there on Wednesdays and treat kids. Since I crashed out on your couch and missed my regular scheduled time at that location, I went over this morning.”
    “Hmm… about that, are you upset I didn’t wake you?”
    He reached over and put his hand on top of hers. “No, I’m glad I was there. You scared the hell out of me, though. When I realized you were gone, and I couldn’t find a note, I was concerned something had happened to you. I haven’t sprinted on the beach like that in years.”
    She smiled at him, admiring his profile and the wild lock of hair curled behind his ear. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I don’t even