Ghostwalker 06 - Predatory Game

Saber. He needed to hold her. To be with her. To just breathe clean fresh air and forget that he might not walk again after his hopes had been raised. He went looking for Saber because she was the one person who soothed him when he was ready to explode with frustration or anger. She was in the kitchen putting dishes away.
    “Is Patsy gone?” Jess asked.

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    Saber nodded. “A little while ago. I tried to get her to go to the hospital and get checked out, and I really think you should call her and try to persuade her.Sometimes things show up later. She shouldn’t take any chances.”
    “Patsy’s stubborn. Maybe if she wakes up tomorrow and hurts like hell, she’ll go.”
    Saber pressed her lips together to keep from insisting. “Are you all right? You look upset. If you’re worried about Patsy, I still think you should have a doctor check her out and then hire security—a bodyguard, someone to keep an eye on her.”
    Jess had already planned to do just that. In fact, he was going to make a few phone calls. He was feeling restless.
    He dragged both hands through his hair. “I’m feeling cooped up. Let’s get the hell out of here and go on a picnic.”
    Her eyebrow shot up. “A picnic?”
    “Yeah, a picnic. You know, blanket on the ground—”
    “Cold ground,” she interrupted.
    “Blanket on the cold ground,” he repeated. “Wicker basket loaded with goodies especially prepared for outdoor dining.You know—picnic.”
    “I know what a picnic is, Jesse, I just don’t understand your sudden urge to go on one, especially now when nature is about to dump a ton of snow on us.”
    “It’s just a bit brisk.You’ll love it.”
    “Yeah right. Me and the penguins.” But he was starting to grin and the sparkle in his eyes was irresistible. Darn him. He knew she couldn’t resist that teasing look. “Suppose I agree to this ridiculous picnic idea. As you’ve just pointed out, picnics involve food.” She opened the refrigerator and pointed with a smirk. “Hate to burst your bubble, Calhoun, but that looks empty to me.”
    “Give me some help here, you little whiner.We’ll stop at the store. I need some enthusiasm from you.”
    “All right already,” Saber capitulated. “I’m enthused. I can’t wait.” And she couldn’t. She’d never been on a picnic before. It was one of those things normal people did. Normal, just like she’d always wanted.
    “Where are we going?”
    “You’ll see. Dress warm and don’t forget your gloves,” he instructed.
    Saber allowed herself to really study his face. It was difficult to read Jess; it always had been. She felt comfortable with him, alive and happy. And there were no headaches, no bleeding from her mouth, nose, or ears. When she was close to him, she could handle all the energy flooding her brain, all the emotions and the bombardment of sound assaulting her. She had never questioned that, but she should have. Only a GhostWalker who was an anchor could draw the energy away from her, and Jess Calhoun had to be an anchor. Was that why she felt so close to him? Because he was like her?

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    Had she really deceived herself all these months? He had to be very well trained to have concealed his part in the program from her. Ordinarily she could spot a GhostWalker a mile away, but because Jess was in a wheelchair, it hadn’t even occurred to her that he could possibly be in that program.
    “What is it?” he asked again, his voice soft.
    It was tempting to just blurt out her fears, her questions. But she knew better. Jess had been a SEAL, and once a GhostWalker there was no going back.He still worked for the military. He was involved in some kind of top secret investigation. She was well aware of the secret visits, the men she never saw come and go. She should have suspected, but the wheelchair had thrown her into a false sense of security.
    “Saber?” he prompted.
    “Nothing.” She forced a smile. She was taking this one day with him, for herself, because it was probably the only day she would ever have with the man she loved.

    Subject Calhoun’s sister arrived today. I managed to drop the listening device in her pocket earlier after I heard she was going to visit her brother. He must have jamming equipment in his house, because it did no good. I couldn’t pick up on anything and it abruptly