Alien Proliferation

shrugged. “Have scalpel, will travel.”
    The rest of our group, other than Reader, Michael, and Brian were with us now. I spotted Oliver in the crowd of reporters, mostly because Michael was standing next to him. “Chuckie, what’s up with Mister Joel Oliver? Why is he here?”
    “He’s here because of the clustered incident from last week. He’s getting this story and will print what everyone else prints.”
    “Why is that?”
    Chuckie managed a small smile. “Because I promised him a bigger scoop later.” I raised my eyebrow, and he sighed. “I’m giving him intel on Cooper. Nothing classified, but I’m going to be sure Cooper’s reputation’s trashed. Michael Gower’s agreed to see that our favorite reporter gets an exclusive shot of the astronauts to seal this deal. We’re good on the paparazzi front.”
    “I’m all over speaking ill of this particular dead. Okay, great. So back to the bigger issues. The real Ronaldo Al Dejahl is out there somewhere, and, realistically, we have no idea what he looks like.”
    “What do you mean? We’ve all seen him.” Christopher looked around. “Where’s Amy?” We brought the others up to speed, fast. Christopher’s jaw clenched. “Let’s get out of here.”
    “No,” White said calmly. “I want to hear Kathy’s explanation for why she doesn’t think we know what Al Dejahl looks like.”
    I was worried, but I had to laugh at everyone’s expression. “Have you all met my husband, Rick? Look, the real Al Dejahl is an A-C, because Richard felt two hearts when he was fighting him, and Jeff said he hit like an A-C. A-Cs have talents, and I’ll wager he’s a troubadour with imageering ability. He’s making himself look like who or what he wants. For this particular operation, he made himself look like the actor or agent the C.I.A. hired to impersonate him. We have no idea what he looks like, but I’m putting money on him resembling Richard in some way. Serene resembles Richard, if you know what to look for.”
    “Where would he go? Or Gaultier?” Jeff had his Commander voice on.
    “They want Jamie.” I said that calmly. I was proud of myself.
    “Yeah, who’s going to let them in?” Jeff didn’t sound nearly as calm.
    I looked at White. “What are the odds?”
    He nodded. “Good, very good.”
    I put my hands in the pockets of his jacket. “The Poofs are gone.”
    “Good. I think we know where they went.” White looked at Jeff. “Gaultier isn’t going to the same place. I imagine Christopher can track where he’s gone, or at least where Amy is. You take them.” White took my hand. “Your wife and I will handle my half brother.”
    Jeff shook his head. “It’s my daughter they’re going after.”
    “Yes, it is. It’s my grandniece. And my half sister—they want Serene as well.” White gave Jeff a long look. “You have to trust us right now, Jeffrey. You need to find Gaultier and Amy and keep Christopher under control. You’re the only one who can, and he’s the only one who can find her now, isn’t he?”
    “Jeff, I won’t let anyone get our baby.” I put my hand on his arm. “Richard’s right. And we have to go, now, or all of us will be too late.”
    “She’s just a tiny baby.” Jeff sounded like he was going to lose it.
    “Yes, she is. She’s also so powerful Cooper was expecting her to warp over from Dulce to Paris to save her daddy. My mother’s with her, and so are the girls. Trust me—nothing’s scarier than a mother protecting her young.” I could feel the power building. I leaned up and kissed him. “I love you, Jeff. Go save Amy and keep Christopher and the others safe while you do it.”
    I pulled at White, and we raced out of the building.

 
    CHAPTER 62
     
    I RAN US TO THE PARKING GARAGE.
    “Why here?” White asked when we stopped running.
    “So no one but you sees. Hold onto me.” I wrapped my arms around him, he wrapped his around me, and I concentrated. I knew where I wanted us to go. I felt the power build and expand.
    We moved, fast as a gate, but with no nausea. The movement stopped, and the power faded. We stepped apart and looked around. We were in the Lair.
    “Why here?” White asked. “Why not right by Jamie?”
    “I assume we need to sneak up on the situation. Seeing two of you in one place will freak everyone out.”
    He took my hand, and we moved out of the room. “Elevator?”
    “Stairs. I don’t know what level they’re on. So we search each floor.” We hypersped