privates.
“ You see why you must help us, Doctor?” Stephens sounded even more desperate than before.
Kim wiped her brow with a handkerchief offered her earlier by Zanek. “How are the local guys going to handle help from an outsider, a woman and a psychic at that?” she wanted to know.
“ You're not entirely an outsider,” replied Jessica. “Didn't you grow up in the city?”
Zanek quickly added, “And so far as anyone will know, you're an independent psychic detective called in by the NOPD. And Stephens will run interference for you with the detectives and the press, if it comes to that.”
“ It's not the press I'm worried about. They'll paint some lurid pictures, but that I'm used to.”
“ Anyone else gives you a problem, let us know,” Stephens assured her.
Kim looked around at the three high-ranking law-enforcement officials who'd cornered her. “It doesn't appear I have much choice…”
“ Then you'll do it? You'll come to New Orleans?”
“ Just remember this, Stephens,” cautioned Zanek. “We're very serious about keeping Dr. Desinor's association with the Bureau in-house. The Bureau is no more in the business of psychic detection than it is into UFO investigation. Are you clear on that?”
“ Completely understood… no problem, Chief Zanek.”
“ Dr. Desinor's introduction into the case must be handled with delicacy and tact, and one hell of a good cover. She'll retain her name, but we've arranged a bogus front, a separate identity. She's been working as a psychic detective out of Florida for the past several years, and since this closely shadows her real life there two years ago, she won't have any problem maintaining this cover. Kim,” he continued, turning to her, “we've arranged to open a storefront detective agency in the Miami-Dade area. That meet with your approval?”
Just how much attention had Paul given this step both Kim and Jessica now wondered simultaneously, and when their eyes met, it was as if their thoughts were spoken.
“ Here's the paperwork,” Paul continued. “Dr. Coran'll run you through your paces, and Dr. Desinor, please make sure you learn exactly who you are, what you've been doing for the past several years, understood? Kept it fairly simple, actually, returning you to your old haunts in Florida.”
It sounded like “where I discovered you” to Kim. She had stopped listening by now anyway as Paul turned to Stephens, continuing on. “But it's a no-go if you can't insure that Dr. Desinor will remain incognito. And of course, you'll make arrangements for Dr. Coran's introduction into the case as well.”
“ Consider all arrangements made, and believe me, I've already sounded out the governor, the mayor and my people on the importance of secrecy, and everyone agrees there'll be no problem. Really, a psychic in our city…well, it's really no big deal in the Big Easy.”
Kim took a deep breath and stood, finding Jessica's arm and the strength she required. The feeling had returned to her body, but a slight dizziness remained. “I'll have to see to sorting out a few things downstairs first, make sure the lab's in good hands, all that before I go jetting off,” Kim said.
“ Not to worry,” countered Paul. “I've talked to Dr. To-kutsu, and he'll give your apologies to your colleagues, your techs and your trainee.”
Dr. Haruo “Harry” Tokutsu was senior assistant in the operation of the unit which had been built around Kim. He was an ambitious man even by Japanese-American standards, and he was a gifted psychic in his own right.
“ Time I get back, Harry'll be dug in like a badger,” she half joked, and watched for Paul's reaction. But the man's granite features gave nothing away this time.
“ Your flight to New Orleans with Commissioner Stephens here has been arranged. You just need to be packed and at the airstrip at 1400 hours, Kim.”
“ Two P.M.? Today?”
“ It's all arranged.”
“ I'll need more time than that.”
“ Just pack a bag.”
“ I'll take a flight out tomorrow morning,” she declared, holding firmly to her ground against Zanek, which Jessica found herself helplessly smiling at. She could like this woman. Anyone who could hold her own with Paul Nathan Zanek in the man's own office was to be admired.
“ All right,” Zanek relented. “We'll arrange a flight out for you tomorrow then.”
Dr. Desinor said her good-byes, asking that Stephens leave the rosary beads with its crystal cross in her possession for the time being. “You can leave it with Chief Zanek, if you will.” It appeared she didn't relish the idea of handling the object again in the immediate future.
She then exited, still a bit shaken from the session. Jessica didn't fail to miss the long, parting look which lingered between Paul Zanek and the psychic before Kim disappeared.
Stephens next picked up his items and envelopes, all save the unusual rosary. Jessica lifted the long black beads and the shimmering, crystal cross, surprised at its weight, and she assured Paul that she'd personally keep it for Dr. Desinor.
“ I think she intends to use it again for insights into your case,” said Zanek, shaking hands with Stephens before returning to his seat behind the big desk.
Stephens, in no position to argue, nodded and thanked Zanek profusely. Then he warmly shook Jessica's hand, saying he'd see her aboard the waiting Air Force jet which was due for takeoff in a few hours. Stephens then took his leave, a much-pleased man whose confident step had been somewhat eroded by what he'd just witnessed.
After the door closed on Stephens's retreating form and his bundle of envelopes, Jessica asked point-blank, “What's going on between you and Dr. Desinor, Paul?”
“ What hellacious garbage is that you're talking, Doctor? I just went to her aid. My God, she was in a fit of fear. I did what anyone might've done, Jess.”
“ Paul, I'm a detective. I detect things, remember?”
“ Not some things you don't. My relationship with Kim is really none of your business. Leave it alone,” he suddenly snapped.
“ All right, I'll do that.”
“ You'll take the flight back with P.C. Stephens in her place, reassure him we'll do everything in our power, all that…”
“ I'm not sure I can be packed in an hour either, Paul, but for you I'll try.”
“ Hey, this entire crazy scheme was your idea in the first place, remember? All of a sudden you've got a yen to see Sew Orleans up close. Damnit, I swear, Jess, if you weren't who you are… well, just… just be at the airstrip.”
“ Fine, but I don't want to see Waite and Thatcher there, got it?”
“ Don't leave home without 'em, Jess.”
“ Like a Mutt-and-Jeff, Abbott-and-Costello pair tripping over one another everywhere I go? No, thanks, Paul, and I mean it.” He returned a stern look and said, “Those men have been specially trained for this kind of duty, Jess, and they've been in position for your safety and for good reason, Jess.”
“ They're a drain on the national economy and on my well-being, and they're a pain in the ass, Paul. Now, I thought we were clear on this issue. I usually do as I'm told, just what you wish, but I won't budge on this one, Paul.”
“ Don't give me that shit. If it were up to me, you wouldn't be going to New Orleans at all, much less without bodyguards! Going over my head to Santiva on this, Jess, that hurt.”
So he had seen Santiva; so everything was in the open after all. “Come on, Paul. Admit it, you didn't take me seriously. You weren't listening; you were only pretending to listen. One of your less admirable traits, I might add.”
“ That's not fair.”
“ You left me no other choice, and Santiva's got the chutzpah to let me see this thing out.”
“ Christ, Jess, you think so? Damnit, I still don't feel comfortable with this. I just don't like the idea of your opening yourself up to a possible attack, using-”
“ There's no way I'm going on status quo!”
“ Using your self as god damn bait for a madman? That Santiva guy's as nuts as you are, and as soon as the New Orleans papers get wind-”
