Special Talents (10 page)

"I don't think so. He said he heard things. Not voices, things. And that he was hearing things about terrorist while we were in there. He also mentioned people with special talents. That's a term that's only been used a few times. And certainly not while we were with him, unconscious or awake."

"That is odd. That term was coined by one of our analysts. We just sort of adopted it and outside of Homeland Security headquarters I'm not sure it's ever been used. How could he know about it?"

"That's a good question. But what if he didn't hear it anywhere? What if he just learned it?"

"What do you mean 'just learned it'?"

"In the mall he kept saying 'get out of my head'. And just now in that room he said he hears 'things'. Not voices, things. Most schizophrenics hear voices. Voices usually telling them to do things. He said there were no voices telling him to do anything. He just heard 'things'."

"So what, he really is crazy?"

"I don't think so," said Jeremy. "I think we might be dealing with some form of telepathy. Remember I did see him using an ability. Even now he's still using it. Maybe he has the ability to draw information out of a person's mind. That could account for the 'things' he hears. He gathering information from the minds around him but he's being so inundated with them he doesn't know how to stop it."

"Kind of like being in a crowded room with everyone shouting at the tops of their lungs at the same time. The noise can literally be quite deafening and can even cause headaches, or so I understand."

"Exactly. Only instead of hearing those voices you've described, he's hearing information in people's minds. God only knows how much information he's being inundated with every second of every day. No wonder he has migraines."

"So he has headaches."

"Quite possibly. It's not like my own ability. If I use it too much or too often I can get headaches. It puts a lot of pressure on my optic nerve and we do know that bright light can cause headaches. With him I'd think it would be even more severe. It's possible he doesn't know how to control his ability. He may not even know he has one. So subconsciously he's drawing information from all the minds around him. Can you imagine the massive amounts of information he must have been gathering from all those people in the mall? Getting it all at one time with no way to separate or categorize it?"

"So what about the pity part? I wasn't thinking about feeling sorry for him when we were in the room. I was thinking about what kind of a security risk he might represent. I know what you're thinking, Jeremy. He might be a good addition to the team. And I have to admit, if you're right, having someone who can literally pick someone else's brain can be very useful.

"But we know virtually nothing about this guy. He might be some psychopath or serial killer. We can't even consider bringing him into the group until we find out who he is and what his story is. And if he can read our minds there's no telling the damage he could do and we wouldn't even know what information he's been able to gather. But that still doesn't explain how he knew I was feeling sorry for him."

"I can't answer that, Richard. Not yet. And you're right about all of that. Until we learn more about him I'm not even going to mention anything about the group. I can tell if he's lying but that's about it. I would suggest that you get started on the background check. Find out who he is and where he's from. Most homeless people have a tendency to stay around where they used to live, especially in large metropolitan areas like the D.C. area. A simple check of birth records, school records, that sort of thing might tell us who he is."

"I know how to run a background check, Jeremy. But it's also possible he's not from around here. He could be from just about anywhere. That's going to make checking on him more difficult."

"Well, I'll have a chat with him when he's feeling better and see what information I can get out of him. Why don't you start that background check with the local authorities? If he is from around here we should be able to get some information on him."

"I'll get started on it right away. I'll leave Kamalene here so she can help you if you need it. Where's Janet? She didn't say anything when she left."

"I sent her out to pick up some different clothes for Conrad. The ones he was wearing will have to be burned. He'll need others to wear."

"Okay. I'll let you know what I find out. In the mean time, be careful. You have no idea who – or what – you're dealing with. He could be a very dangerous young man."

"I can handle myself. Besides, I don't think he's a threat. Just some kid who's fallen on hard times and could use a hand up. I'll talk to you later."

Scarborough left the house to begin the background check. Jeremy sat in the living room of the house gathering his thoughts trying to decide the best way to approach Conrad Miles.

"Feeling better?" Jeremy asked Conrad when he went back into to talk to him. Kamalene sat in the room at the foot of the bed where Scarborough had previously set.

"Some," said Conrad, rubbing his head. "I still have a headache but nothing like it usually is."

"Well, I'm sure the pills helped. I can give you more later if you still have your headache."

"So, you really a shrink?"

"Yes, I am. Until recently I had a practice in Georgetown. Are you from around here?"

"Rockville, actually. But I move around quite a bit. Don't really have a permanent address."

"I kind of figured that. I'm afraid we had to get rid of our clothes. They were in pretty bad shape. I have a friend who should be here soon. She's getting you some more clothes to wear."

"Well, like I told you, I can't pay you anything. I don't have any money."

"I'm not worried about it. And if you had any money I doubt you would have been eating other people's leftovers at the mall."

"Well, a guy's gotta eat. The mall can have some pretty decent food. At least until security shows up and throws me out."

"No family? If you're from Rockville I'm sure your parents are around here somewhere."

"My dad doesn't care. Used to say I was just lazy. Said I made up having headaches so I could get out of work. But I'm not making them up. Sometimes they're so bad I can't even think."

"You probably have what they call migraines. And they are quite serious. If we can find out what's causing them we might be able to do something about them. I can also prescribe some medication that should be able to help. At least lessen the pain."

"Wouldn't matter if you did. I couldn't afford to get the prescription filled."

"I have an idea. Why don't you stop being concerned with money for a while? Like I said, I'm not worried about getting paid. That's not my concern. When and if you get back on your feet if you still feel the need to pay me can talk about it then. But in the mean time don't be worried about it."

"Well, that might be a problem. I can't seem to hold a job. The headaches always get in the way. Never had a job for more than a couple of days at a time. No one wants to hire you when you have to call in 'sick' every other day."

"Like I said, maybe we can do something about that. In the mean time I'll see what I can do to make you more comfortable."

"So what now?" Conrad asked. "When do the men in white coats show up to haul me away?"

"I don't think that's going to be necessary. It sounds to me like you have a problem and I just might be in a position to help. For a while let's just call this home. Kamalene here will be around to help you if you need it. And as I said, I have a friend bringing you some clothes who can help. And Mr. Scarborough will be around from time to time. So we should be able to help you with just about anything you need."

"In exchange for something," said Conrad matter-of-factly.

"I've all ready told you, money is not a consideration."

"No, not money. Something else. You think I can help you with something. Of course that could just be the 'things' inside my head. Sometimes I don't know what's real and what isn't."

"What makes you think I want you to help me with something?"

"I don't know. It's just like I know. Like I said, I hear things. All types of information. It just comes out of nowhere. None of it makes any sense. And like I said, normal people don't 'hear things'. So I guess that means I'm crazy. Or going crazy anyway."

"These things you hear? Is it constant? All the time?"

"Pretty much. Oh, sometimes it's not so bad. Like at night. Or if I can get out of the city. I guess getting away from all the noise and lights and pollution and stuff makes it easier. But even then I usually get stuff in my head. And I still have to come back into the city to get stuff I need."

"What kinds of things do you get in your head?"

"All kinds. Sometimes it's plans for something. Or some kind of schedule. I even get languages. Oh, they probably aren't real languages. But they sure seem real. And what's more, I understand them. Which is just plain crazy. I dropped out of school when I was 16. Never took any languages while I was in school. But I swear that I can understand them."

Just then Jeremy heard a door open and close in the outer room. He decided that must be Janet coming back with the clothes. A thought occurred to him. If he was right, it might be a way to prove his theory of what Conrad was able to do.

"Okay, you get some more rest," he said finally. "I'll be back in in a bit to talk some more."

"Whatever you say," said Conrad.

As Conrad settled back into the bed, Jeremy went out into the living room.

"Did you get everything?" Jeremy asked as Janet began to unpack the bags she was carrying.

"I think so," she replied. "The shoes were a bit hard to find. Thrift stores are pretty much what you see is what they have. But I think they'll fit. The clothes are in pretty good shape. I wasn't able to get a field jacket. They didn't have any. But I think I got something just as suitable."

"Good," said Jeremy, sorting through the clothes and picking out a pair of pants and a shirt. "You once told me you speak Chinese."

"Well, Cantonese anyway. It was the native language of my parents. I learned it growing up because they didn't speak English. I taught them what they know."

"So I would assume you're fluent?"

"Of course. What's this got to do with anything?"

"Just an idea I had. I want you to come back into the room with me to see Conrad. When I tell him you got him the clothes I want you to tell him that you hope they fit. That you weren't sure about some of the sizes. But I want you to tell him in Cantonese."

"Cantonese Chinese isn't the easiest language in the world to learn," said Janet. "Unless he took some classes in high school I doubt he'd understand a word of it."

"Just humor me. Call it an experiment. But if I'm right it might just prove what I think is going on with him."

"Okay, if you say so."

Jeremy went back into the room with Janet close behind. He laid the close on the back of the chair next to the bed.

"Conrad, this is Janet Liu. She helped me bring you here along with Richard. And she's the one I told you about. The one who got these clothes for you."

Janet then same something to Conrad in Chinese. Although Jeremy didn't understand Chinese he, of course, all ready knew what she had said. Conrad said something back to her in Chinese and for a moment didn't seem to realize what had just happened. Then he looked at Jeremy and got a perplexed look on his face. Jeremy looked at Janet.

"Perfect," she said. "The pronunciation was perfect. And so was his accent. If I didn't know better I would swear he's Chinese."

"What just happened?" Conrad asked.

"That was Cantonese Chinese Janet spoke to you. And you answered her in perfect Cantonese."

"But I don't speak Chinese," protested Conrad. "I don't speak any language but English."

"Well, for someone who doesn't speak Chinese you did a pretty good imitation," said Janet in English. "I learned it from my parents when I was growing up. And you spoke it like a native."

"That's impossible," said Conrad looking at Jeremy. "I told you. The languages I get in my head aren't real languages. They're just gibberish. They only sound like real languages."

"Not according to Janet," said Jeremy. "And if she says you spoke Cantonese, then trust me. You spoke Cantonese."

"How?" Conrad insisted. "How can I speak a language I've never learned?"

"I have a theory, Conrad. I think I know what's going on with you. Now, just hear me out before you make any decisions. This is going to sound a little strange. And your first reaction is probably going to be to dismiss it out of hand. But trust me. I believe it's the reason you were able to speak Cantonese to Janet just now. And I also think it might be the cause of your migraines."

"Okay," said Conrad.

"Conrad, I believe the reason you could speak Cantonese to Janet just now is because you actually did know Cantonese. Janet speaks it fluently and you picked it up from her."