New Markets - 02 Read Online Free PDF Page B

for me, “She just washed herself completely off, she can't have perfume on.”  She had been inches away when I sighed; she smelled the pleasant fragrance from my mouth where it was even stronger.  I still wonder how I can have the smell from my mouth, but the pheromones must work from my saliva as well.  Hey, Rael and I can test that one.
    The elevator dinged and the door opened just before Katherine kissed me, saving her from the embarrassment.  That would have felt better than the mild pain I still felt from the bunch of welts on my body.  That gave me the idea, and I leaned forward and kissed her instead.  We stood there a moment, my arms entwined with the two men, and Katherine and I kissing until we heard a cough from outside the elevator.
    Katherine jumped and quickly shifted off to the side.  I could feel her embarrassment from her mindview.  The new person's mindview focused on me, with my eyes closed and mouth still slightly open.  I had been right, the enjoyment Katherine and I both had from the kiss doubled up on me and helped tune out much of the pain.
    The thoughts of the new person immediately wondered if I were a lesbian, and I giggled, then grinned.  I opened my eyes.  “No, I'm not a lesbian.  I hoped the kiss would help offset some of the pain from the bullet wounds.”
    It was an F.B.I. agent.  Agent Dostal per the tag on his chest.  Not that I needed a name tag to pull someone's name where I had their mindview so handy.  Agent Dostal was a massive, hairy man.  He had light blue eyes and light brown hair, and was impeccably dressed.
    He nodded slowly at me in an obvious show of disbelief.
     
    Officer Lewis von Klinger coughed and said, “Shall we get you out to the perp?”
    I leaned my head back and looked him in the eye.  “I believe so.”
    We walked outside.  Baracco went to his vehicle for the energy bars, I hoped.
    The F.B.I. agents had taken over the scene outside now that the tactical situation had been resolved.  I squeezed the arm of Officer Klinger, slid my arm out of his and walked over to the group in charge.
    They watched me approach them.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t walking the straightest path.  I tried to walk a straight line, but my legs didn’t cooperate.
    John, the police tactical leader’s voice practically dripped with venom, “Thanks for not getting any of my people hurt with your rash leap into the scene.”
    I replied, “Was that sarcasm?”  He thought it was indeed.  “Listen, I’m the only one who got injured, barring the kidnapper.  So can you step off a little?”
    “This time I will.  Next time you might get others injured or killed.”
    “So noted.  Listen, we’ve got a kid being held, can we try to work together here?”
    “You’re going to try to get him to talk?  Hoping he’ll tell you where the kid is or something?”
    I squeezed my fist.  “No, I’m going to rip the information out of his mind, unless he cooperates nicely.  I doubt he will.”
    “You’re a psychic super?  I’ve never heard of one who is a melee combatant.”
    “You mean my rush at him up there?  No, I’m obviously not a good hand to hand fighter.  I’m just tired and grumpy.  My partners specialize in combat.”
    “Oh yeah?  Who are they?”
    I rubbed my eyes and face.  I was tired, lightheaded, and still in pain.  “Spartan and Black Tiger.  We’re based in Metrocity.”
    The F.B.I. Agent in command, Tim Danst said, “Hmm, I read something about Spartan in the paper yesterday.  He put an entire derailed train back on the tracks?”
    “Yeah, I wasn’t with him when he did.”
    “The article mentioned he was a brick, unbelievably strong.  He would have been useful upstairs.”
    “Yeah, don’t remind me.  I’m the one who got shot, remember?”
    One of the tactical men standing behind me thought ‘ Bet Spartan doesn’t have an ass like yours though, lady. ’  I looked back at him and smiled.  “Thanks.  He’s got a great