Part 71 (1/2)

The SWAT team wasn't going to work, because now the drapes were drawn.

The man on the phone had said he wanted an airplane to the Middle East. Did he really think he was going to get it? Or was he completely out of his mind? He didn't sound like he came from the Middle East. He had the same vaguely Scandinavian accent as Rinna Marshall. So was that a coincidence? What if the woman in there really was Mrs. Marshall?

Jake picked up the phone and dialed the number of the house again.

THE communications thing rang, and Falcone looked at Rinna.

”Don't answer it,” she whispered. ”I need your focus on me.”

The phone continued to ring, and she wanted to throw it out the window.

Avery sent it a mental jolt, and the distracting noise stopped.

”Thank you,” she said.

He nodded.

”We have to hurry now,” Rinna told him. ”The policeman outside is going to wonder what you did.” She looked around at the faces turned toward her. ”All of you, open your minds so I can use your power.”

”Even the men who aren't adepts?” Falcone challenged.

”Yes.”

She waited with her heart pounding while he brought all the men into the room. Finding a c.h.i.n.k in the plates hadn't been easy. But the hard part was still ahead of her.

”Just open yourself up. Let me draw your energy.”

”Where will the portal be?” Falcone asked in a strained voice, and she knew he was as tense as she was herself.

She had picked a spot where she would try to bring the opening into this reality. As though she knew her scheme was going to work, she pointed toward a wall with bookshelves. ”There.”

Falcone looked like he was preparing to spring through the opening as soon as it materialized.

”Relax,” she told him. ”Give me your energy.”

He swallowed. ”Will you be in my mind?”

”No. Just let me use your power.” She looked from him to Brusco and Avery. ”Let the power flow.”

She watched them mentally preparing themselves. She was pretty sure the two adepts would help her. They wanted to get home, and they knew she was their best chance.

But she didn't know about Falcone. He didn't trust her. And if he couldn't cooperate, her plan was doomed to failure.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.

”FOCUS ON THE wall with the bookshelves,” Rinna murmured. ”Picture the plate behind it s.h.i.+fting so a doorway can open.”

As she gave the direction, she prayed that she could make it happen.