Page 6 of Shattering Dawn

It was entirely possible that he possessed only a minimal amount of talent—very strong intuition, perhaps—a sixth sense he took for granted and did not label paranormal. That would account for his skepticism.

“Did you receive any serious career guidance after you participated in the study?” she asked.

“I may have but I can’t recall it.” Amusement flickered briefly,verybriefly, in his eyes. “I’m pretty sure no one advised me to pursue a career as a private investigator.”

She made a sweeping gesture that included the library, the expensive house, and the upscale neighborhood. “You seem to have done very well in the business.”

“I’ve had some luck with my investments,” he said. “That gives me the freedom to focus only on the cases that interest me.”

“I see.”

She struggled to quash another wave of disappointment. Perhaps an intuitive ability to play the markets was his real psychic talent. Apparently the private investigation work was more of a hobby. That did not bode well. She did not need investment advice. She didn’t have any extra cash to invest. She needed a skilled investigator who could track down a stalker.

Gideon seemed to be unaware that she was having second thoughts about hiring him.

“Why are you convinced someone is hunting you and your friends?” he asked.

“We aren’t delusional, Mr. Sweetwater. We’re not imagining that the people on the list are being hunted, weknowit, because they have already found some of us—my friends and me, for example.”

He stilled. “What do you mean?”

“Everyone on the podcast team has experienced a kidnapping followed by a bout of amnesia at some point within the past year.” She paused. “I take it you have not?”

“There are a few nights I would prefer to forget, but no, I haven’t lost any to amnesia.”

She sighed. “I suppose that explains why you’re having a hard time believing me. The thing is, something happened to us during those missing hours. We were used as unwitting research subjects in an off-the-books drug trial.”

He did not move but she sensed that once again she had startled him.

“Designed to test, what?” he asked cautiously.

“A drug that can enhance an individual’s psychic senses.” She paused for emphasis. “Or kill you. Or drive you insane. Not everyone can tolerate the formula.”

“I see.” Gideon moved deeper into his place of intense watchfulness. “Do you think you were kidnapped by aliens?”

“No, Mr. Sweetwater.” She fought to conceal her anger, reminding herself yet again that she did not have a lot of options when it came to investigators. “The people who abducted us and ran their experiments on us are human. Very dangerous humans. I suggest you listen to a few more episodes of the podcast. They are factual reports, not works of fiction.”

“Did you, personally, experience any aftereffects from the experiments?”

“Yes, I did.”

“A new vision that allows you to see auras and prints?”

“I have always had an ability to sense energy in people and the rooms and buildings they have inhabited. But since my lost night I have begun to perceive human auras and energy prints in great detail.”

He assumed an air of polite interest. “Can you see my aura?”

“No, not now during the daytime. I have some sense of your energy field, but nothing specific. My ability works best at night or in deep darkness.”

“That does not sound like a convenient talent.”

“You’re telling me.”

He raised his brows at that but he didn’t pursue the subject. “How did you come across this list you’re concerned about?”

“That’s a long story. If you decide to take my case, I’ll be happy to give you some of the details.”

“Why so secretive?”