Free Soul Thief (Blue Light Series) by Mark Edward Hall

tick.”
    “Rick, we could have had him any time we wanted.”
    “But now you’ve got the excuse you need. I told you, I don’t know where he is.”
    “That’s okay, Rick, we do.”
    “What the hell are you talking about?”
    Silence.
    “Spencer?”
    “I can’t say any more on the air. We’ll talk when you get here.”
    Now Jennings was more confused than ever. What if Doug was connected in some way to these deaths? Even though he knew Doug well, or thought he knew him, they never talked much about what happened back when he was a kid. Those regressive sessions back when he was in college had been the end of it as far as Jennings was concerned. He’d come away believing that McArthur had gone through some sort of psychic ability period, an ability to see the future, to see murder and mayhem in its most brutal form, and the most difficult one to believe: perhaps the ability to see the supernatural creature behind the murders. Jennings couldn’t explain any of it and he’d given up trying a long time ago. McArthur’s sight went far beyond the territory of ordinary police investigative work into the realm of the unexplained. What he did know was that Doug’s sight had diminished as he’d grown older until it was nearly non-existent. At least that’s what Jennings believed because Doug never talked about it any more. Growing up had been a tough time for the kid, losing his parents like he had and the media circus that Doug had endured. No, he wasn’t the least bit sure Doug would say a word even if he knew. And he wouldn’t blame him.
    But Jennings was still uneasy. This was all happening so fast he wasn’t sure of his instincts. The feds wanted McArthur; there was no doubt about that. Maybe they already had him. And their interest in him went far beyond this particular case. Jennings was suddenly sure of it.
    “Tell you what, Spencer,” Jennings said. “Let’s wait until I see the bodies so I can get a handle on this thing. I don’t know if these killings are the same thing as before.”
    “ Oh, they’re the same all right, Rick, and I think you’ll agree when you see them.”
    “What if it’s some sort of copy cat?”
    “Wait till you see the evidence, and then tell me that.” The line suddenly went dead. Evidently Spencer was through talking.
    Jesus Christ,” Jennings thought, settling back in his seat. I wish Doug would call me.

Chapter 9
     
    The chopper landed right on schedule. Spencer’s men were cool and efficient. Jennings was shown to a waiting car. He got in, sat back and tried to relax. But there was no way in hell he could. All his muscles were tensed and his mind worried. Spencer seemed quite anxious to pin these deaths on McArthur. McArthur was a suspect; there was no doubt about it. But perhaps he was more than a suspect. What if the government had been watching him since—? The thought struck Jennings that perhaps they’d never taken their eyes off him. Yes, it was a definite possibility. Frankly Jennings was a little surprised they’d waited this long to make their move. He supposed that guys who could see the kinds of things McArthur could see were valuable. Sure they were. Doug’s was a rare gift and the government wanted to dissect him, to see what made him tick, and they were looking for an excuse to grab him. Jennings was suddenly and absolutely certain of it. McArthur would be a hell of a guinea pig for those CIA spooks to dissect.
    But right now he couldn’t think about that. He needed to find a way to contact Doug and warn him of his suspicions. The man needed protection from his own government. He knew that Doug wasn’t capable of murder. Hell, the man wouldn’t harm a bee if one was stinging him. But they would accuse him to get what they wanted, wouldn’t they?
    Jennings needed a clear head and some time to think. Unfortunately that wasn’t going to happen. Everything was moving too fast, and he felt like he was caught in the middle of a nightmare. He sat