One glimpse of his expression made it very clear how he felt about this. Mack practically radiated determination. He gave me a questioning look, and I smiled and shrugged back. Apparently, we were on the same page.
“It’s fine by us,” Mack assured her. “But can I?”
“I don’t see why not. You’ve got enough seniority now to train someone. And honestly, if I had to choose a temp anchor for her, it would be Brandon. He’s got enough situational awareness to keep track of two Mediums. Gwyneth, I’ll start authorization paperwork. We still need the formality of a home evaluation, but I don’t anticipate problems. Frankly, you living near Black Rock is enough reason to pull you out of there.”
“Thank you so much!” Gwyn gushed, then hugged Mack again.
Then me.
I was perfectly okay with hugs.
“Mack, Brandon, I’ll email an evaluation form over. Record your interview with the parents, all right?And try to get this settled quickly. I do not want to take any risks with her. If you need to pull her out of her house today, do so.”
“Yes, ma’am, that we can do.” The parents would likely scream bloody murder, though. “Can I request police backup? I’m sure the parents will not agree quietly.”
“Yes. I’ll put in the request myself. Give me one hour to set all of this up. And shoot me Gwyneth’s address and everyone’s full names.”
“Okay.”
“And if something happens,call me.”
“You know we will.” But her emphasis meant someone had screwed up, somewhere. “Did Booker not call you again?”
“For once, it wasn’t him. Don’t ask. Just…don’t ask. Keep me updated.” Click.
Gwyn stared doubtfully at the dark phone. “She seems nice?”
“Absolute spitfire, our boss,” Mack said as he retook his seat. “But a good woman. Here, ma petite, let me pull up an email and have you type everything in for her.”
“Okay.”
I watched Gwyn, offering an opinion on what else she needed to type in for Sylvia, but mostly I watched her. She seemed a little unsettled, which was to be expected. It had to be nerve-racking on some level to leave your parents and everything you’d ever known, and to go with strangers, no less. But she was so relieved, too. Being able to exchange danger for safety was a powerful thing.
Our food arrived, including the biscuit and fruit I’d ordered Gwyn, and we ate. She mostly picked at the biscuit and fruit. I tried coaxing her into eating some of my eggs, but she was toonervous to eat more than a few bites. Mack told her about where we’d go after this—our house in Tennessee and the family she’d meet. It eased her nerves, knowing more about her future.
I’d need to call my family tonight and tell them about the teenager we’d bring home with us. But that was a call for another time.
Lachlan finally texted me, begging off for another hour. Apparently his cousin had picked up some stomach bug and he needed to take her into a walk-in clinic. Poor girl, she wasn’t having a good time. I told him to go ahead, and I also shared a little about our new apprentice. I fully expected a proper grilling when he could focus on something other than his sick relative. Still no response from the trio, but I sent a follow-up text in our group chat with a heads-up.
As I paid out, a squad car drove up and parked at the curb. A middle-aged man with a slight gut stepped out, and I had a feeling he was here for us. I waved at him. “Officer, you looking for FBI agents?”
“I am indeed. You them?”
“We are. I’m Special Agent Brandon Havili, this is Special Agent Mackenzie Lafayette, and our Medium trainee, Gwyneth Fairchild.”
“McNabb. Pleasure.” He came in closer to shake hands, then regarded Gwyn with obvious curiosity. “Miss, I understand I’m here as a safeguard against your parents. Is that right?”
“Yeah.” Gwyn grimaced, eyes on the table. “They’ll really throw a fit when you tell them I’m a Medium. They don’t believe any of it’s real. They don’t want to hear about it, either.”
“How prone are your parents to violence?”
“Not? I’ve never seen them do more than yell.”
“Glad to hear it. Well, Agents, are you ready to go over?”
“We are.” Mack stood, pointing to the hotel farther down the street. “We’re parked there. If you don’t mind following us?”
“Not at all.”
