Lethal Influence Read online

  If they could draw that tiny thread out far enough they could send their thoughts along the threads, Influencing the human they were working with, turning his raging emotions into calmer ones, urging him to change his mind, to see the possibilities that would free his painful emotions and allow him to step back from the brink of violence. Help him to make a choice that was calmer, softer, more loving … more giving.

  Of course their Influencing was only that … Influencing. He could reject their efforts, push away the gentle thoughts they were sending him, choose the violence and despair he had walked in with. They could do nothing to stop him. If they were able to reach him early enough they could usually make the shift happen. Kai was unsure of this one, though. The threads were thin, the hate and depression ran deep.

  While he focused on Mike, Kai heard the young woman at the counter give her order and he smiled to himself. She was a very attractive human. He glanced at Jackie and saw that her eyes were glazed, her brow furrowed and her back as straight as Lincoln’s had been. Kai saw Mike make a motion with his arms, a ruffling of his elbows that shook some of the tension from his shoulders. And then there was a gun in his hand and he raised it, aiming it at no one in particular. The gun went off and Kai was aware of the fall of bodies around him as everyone in the place dropped to the ground, instinctively trying to hide. Mike fired the gun again, the sound reverberating through the room. There was screaming now, and the sound of feet running down the sidewalk outside the café. Kai felt the usual stillness settle over him. His own emotions were untouched by Mike’s and he marveled at how calm he felt while surrounded by near hysteria. There was no anger this time. He just felt the patient, trusting knowledge that he could help this terrified young man.

  He took a deep breath and stepped forward, thrusting with his mind, pushing at the threads, doing everything he could to increase the Influencing he was able to accomplish. He held both hands up in front of him, watching Mike’s expression, trying to meet the young man’s gaze. Mike looked at him, a long glance filled with fear and uncertainty. He looked away again.

  “It’s okay,” Kai said. He leaned forward slightly, taking another step. “Mike. Please. Pause … take a breath … look at me.” Mike’s gaze swung back to Kai. “Put the gun down, Mike.” Kai said. “Put the gun on the ground and don’t hurt anyone. You don’t want to do this, Mike.”

  A look of confusion crossed Mike’s face. “How … how do you know my name?” he asked. He was holding the gun at his side, aimed at the ground. If it went off now he would shoot himself in the foot. Kai took another step toward Mike, reaching out with his hands. He moved slowly, inching his way closer and closer.

  “I know who you are,” he said, careful to keep the other man’s gaze on him, trying to distract him from the violence he had come to perform. “You are hurting, Mike, and I can help. Let me help you.”

  Kai saw Lincoln move slowly from his seat at the table, easing himself to a standing position and moving toward Mike, his steps careful and precise. He knew from experience that Jackie would be doing the same thing from her side. He took another step toward Mike and paused when he saw the young man pull upright, the hand holding the gun rising slightly. Then he slumped back as if a huge weight had settled on him, shoulders hunched, head hanging. Only this time it was hanging in defeat, not desperation, and Kai could feel the anger and despair slipping away from him. Another step forward and he reached out and gently eased the gun out of Mike’s hand. He stepped back again and let Lincoln and Jackie rest their hands on Mike’s arms, offering silent physical support while they continued to send him soft Influencing thoughts.

  Kai turned to put the gun on the counter and saw with horror that the young woman he had smiled at seconds earlier was lying on the floor in a growing pool of blood. Her brown eyes were open and regarding him with a stillness he found disturbing. He rushed to her, crouching and placing his hand on the patch of bright red that stained her pale pink camisole.

  “It’s going to be all right,” he said, and he fervently hoped he was telling the truth. “We’ll get you to a hospital right away.” She nodded, still silent, and then laid her head back down on the floor, her breathing steady but shallow. Kai glanced back at Lincoln and Jackie. They had Mike sitting in one of the comfy armchairs by the fire, his head held in his hands, rocking back and forth, sobs escaping with shattered breaths.

  Lincoln left Mike’s side to join Kai. “I called 911. She’s the only one who was hit,” he said. “Everyone else managed to dive for cover.” Lincoln glanced at the woman and frowned. “There’s a lot of blood. I think you should take her to the hospital. We can’t wait for an ambulance. Jackie and I will stay here and finish up with the police and tell them where you took her.”

  Kai nodded and then turned to the woman on the floor. Pulling his shirt off, he thrust it softly against the growing red patch in her side. Her eyes widened and Kai smiled, sending tendrils of calm thoughts to her. “We need to go to a hospital now. Do you think you can stand?”

  She nodded and went to sit up but then gave a sharp cry, grasping at her side, and falling back to the ground. Without hesitation Kai slipped both arms underneath her, one supporting her back and the other her legs, and he stood, effortlessly pulling her up with him. She groaned but had the presence of mind to slip her arms around his neck and give him what help she could. Kai nodded at Lincoln and then stumbled out the door, carrying the bleeding woman out to his truck.

  Chapter Three

  The door to the hospital room was slightly ajar. Kai knocked lightly and pushed it further open. Her hair was fanned out against the pillows behind her as she reclined in the bed. Deep, dark brown on a pristine white background. The way the mid-morning light streamed into the room, she seemed to be encircled in a pool of light.

  Her head turned at the sound of his footsteps. “Oh. It’s you,” she said. She smiled and a tingle ran along his limbs. Why was he so nervous? He had only come to check on her status. “You’re wearing a shirt today,” she said. Kai thought he could almost hear disappointment in her voice. He smiled and shrugged; a little embarrassed that she had taken note of his lack of a shirt on the way to the hospital the night before.

  She was alone in the room. The other bed was empty. Kai let out a breath, realizing that he had been holding it. “How are you feeling?” he said as he moved closer to the bed.

  “Fine,” she smiled wider. “Well, for someone who’s been shot, that is,” she amended.

  Kai studied her, one eyebrow raised. “You required surgery.”

  “Not much more than a graze, really.”

  “A graze?” said Kai. “What a relief. There was quite a lot of blood. I was worried it might be life threatening.” He was rambling. “But you look great.”

  She looked up under her eyelashes. “Why, thank you.” She moved her hand to indicate the chair next to her bed. Kai took the hint and lowered himself into it. “I wasn’t able to thank you last night, but let me do it now.”

  Kai looked down. “You’re welcome. It’s no more than anyone would have done.”

  “Except no one else did it. Not even my classmate who was just a few feet away from me.”

  “I’m sure they were in shock. Don’t be too hard on them.” He met her eyes.

  “Oh! I’m not. We were all in shock. All except you. You were amazing.”

  “That’s not true, Beth. I could have done so much more.”

  “You … you know my name?”

  Kai gave her half a smile and wished he didn’t feel the warm blush in his face. “I heard you say it to the nurse last night.” He flipped his bangs out of his eyes.

  She bit her bottom lip and looked at him with a coy expression. “Then you have me at a distinct disadvantage.”

  Kai’s chest expanded. “You’d like to … even the score?”

  “Indeed I would. Tell me your name.”

  “An
d give up my advantage?”

  “I could call you Clark Kent.”

  “Please no. It’s Kai.”

  Beth smiled. He felt a small hitch in the beat of his heart. She changed her voice to a muddled European accent and said, “We have vays to make you talk. The Clark Kent threat has alvays served me vell.” She chuckled, then cut it short and her hand came to her side. “So Kai, huh?”

  She held out her right hand, twisting her body and wincing slightly at the movement. He took her hand in his. It was small and warm, elegant. The short but well-groomed nails shone with a light pink polish. “Nice to meet you, Kai. I’m glad you were in Starbucks last night.”

  “I am too.” His eyes lingered on hers. He let go of her hand and she laid it on her stomach. “You said you were there with a classmate?” He longed to know if it was a male or female friend.

  She said, “Yes. I have an evening class on Thursdays and I always treat myself to Starbucks afterward. It will be strangely nostalgic to return there after this, I think.”

  “This hasn’t made you rethink your Thursday night outing at Starbucks?”

  “Why should it? It could have happened anywhere. And…” she looked at him sideways and smiled, “I really deserve my java.”

  An older couple entered the room. The woman had a distinctly Oriental look, at least half Asian. The man was a balding Caucasian with a bit of belly hanging over his belt. “Mom and Dad, this is Kai. He’s the guy who brought me to the hospital last night.”

  “How nice to meet you!” said her mother. “We are so grateful for your help.”

  “We’re glad you got her here as quickly as you did,” said the man. “The doctors said a few more minutes and we might have lost her. She lost a lot of blood.” Kai’s gaze swung to Beth’s and he settled a look on her. She shrugged, sucked in her breath, and then smiled at him. “We truly are grateful,” said her father.

  Kai nodded at him. “I’m glad I could help,” he said. “I’ll leave you to your visit. Just wanted to make sure she was alright.”

  “So very nice of you,” said her mother. She surprised him with a hard hug that caught him mid step and he stumbled back slightly. “Thank you, again.”

  “You’re welcome.” Beth’s mother released him and Kai turned to Beth. She was half covering a smile. “I hope you get better soon,” he said.

  “It was very nice to meet you. I’d say it was even worth … the circumstances.” Beth quipped.

  Kai left the room; the warmth of Beth’s smile swirled around him as he walked. He basked in the feelings it produced. He hoped it would cling to him for a very long time. She was lovely.

  Chapter Four

  Kai ran trembling hands down the front of his dark cotton slacks. He straightened and then raised a hand, hesitating before he knocked on Jessip’s office door at Trebladore Headquarters. A deep voice from within called, “Come in.” He turned the handle and entered.

  Jessip sat behind an imposing desk in the center of the cavernous office. A Master Trebladore, Jessip presided over the entire Trebladore Society in the North American region. His thick silver hair was always perfectly groomed. At six feet four inches with broad shoulders, he had a commanding presence even in his golden years. He looked up from the paper he’d been reading. “Yes, good. You’re the first to arrive.”

  He rose and pointed to an arrangement of leather seats and wooden side tables displayed in an inviting arc. Kai sank into one of the chairs.

  He wondered briefly if Jessip’s request to see him had anything to do with Derek’s death. Surely Lincoln had reported his violent behavior on the night of the dogfight mission. He rested one foot on the other knee, feigning a relaxed attitude. He may have redeemed himself a little with the success of the Mike mission, but Kai was under no illusions. He had attacked a human and that carried consequences. It was like waiting for an axe to fall and Kai hated it.

  The table beside him held a few scientific journals and an unusual plant. The leaves were a light green with funky, almost neon pink lines. The potted plant caught his eye as he glanced around the room, trying to take in as much as he could. He had never been in this room before and he found it somewhat intimidating.

  “What is that plant?” Kai asked. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Jessip followed his gaze and smiled. “It’s the only thing we’ve brought with us from Treblane. Stunning isn’t it?” He looked at it fondly, almost with reverence. “You’ll only see them here at headquarters–cross planet contamination and so forth.”

  A sharp knock on the door and then Lincoln and Gerald entered.

  Lincoln nodded at Kai and smiled at Jessip, his black hair and deep brown eyes in sharp contrast to the gold fleck flashing in the iris of his right eye. He sat next to Kai, relaxing back into the cushions of his chair.

  Gerald sat too, his pale green eyes meeting Kai’s. One of the more experienced Influencers, Gerald looked much younger than he actually was. Kai was never sure if it was the trendy cut of his hair or the fact that he never seemed to harbor a five o’clock shadow. Kai wondered if Gerald even had to shave at all.

  Kai’s attention shifted to Jessip as he began to pace back and forth across the spacious office, running his hand through his hair, puffing his cheeks as he prepared to speak. Without a word, he commanded their attention. Kai thought he seemed a little nervous … or worried. He had never seen Jessip worried before, and a sour taste rose in his mouth at the sight.

  “I have an important mission for the three of you. Lincoln and Gerald know some of it, but this will be all new for you, Kai.” He took a large photo off his desk and put it on the coffee table in front of Kai. The man’s face was slim and weathered looking. He had a large hooked nose and deep-set eyes. “This is Billie. It’s important that we do everything we can to Influence some kind of change in him. He’s a difficult subject. One of the worst we’ve dealt with in a long time.” Jessip touched his temples and seemed to calm for an instant. In the next moment however, his voice became noticeably louder and laced with intensity. “Hitler was as difficult to reach as this one is going to be … and we know how that turned out!”

  Gerald sat forward in his chair. “What do you think we can do with him, then? How can our efforts to Influence him even begin to work if he is such a hard case? Obviously someone else has tried before us.”

  “Yes,” sighed Jessip. “Andrew tried to work with this one for many months. He felt he was just beginning to get somewhere when his work was undone again. The drug dealer had something too strong to offer. Billie went right back to his old habits.”

  “But why now?” asked Gerald. “Why are you so set on trying to Influence this man again? Is he suddenly a little more amenable?”

  Jessip stopped pacing and faced them. His eyes held a sadness that Kai had never seen before. It brought a lump to Kai’s throat and he swallowed quickly.

  “No. He is not any more amenable. As a matter of fact, he’s worse. That’s why we have to try again. We have to do something to bring him around.”

  “What’s he doing that’s worse?” Gerald asked. “Billie already deals in deadly drugs, pulling anyone he can into his cesspit. He runs a prostitution ring and forces unsuspecting young girls into that as well. How much further can he go?”

  Jessip grimaced. What does a pimp and drug dealer do that is worse? Kai knew what Jessip was going to say before he said it.

  “We suspect murder. Three young prostitutes who refused to join his menagerie have disappeared. The girls all know what he sells to the Johns. They know they’ll be forced to do unspeakable things with depraved men. Andrew heard mention of girls for snuff films. We are deeply concerned. Nothing’s been proven and I truly hope he hasn’t fallen that far, but that is why we can’t wait any longer. Andrew is unable to continue with him. He has lost Billie’s trust. We need you three to go in and try to make a difference in thi
s man’s mind. Working together, we may just be able to do something.”

  Kai straightened in his seat, facing Jessip. He had made his ambitions abundantly clear to Jessip, but human lives were at stake and the mission with Derek hadn’t gone according to plan. Why was he included in a mission of this magnitude? It just felt wrong.

  “I’m honored to be included … and it’s the sort of thing I want to tackle … when I’m ready. I don’t mean to question you, but … why do you want me on this mission? Shouldn’t someone more experienced be there instead of me?” Jessip was acting like the incident with Derek hadn’t even happened.

  Jessip glanced at Lincoln and then back at Kai. “Lincoln asked if you could come on this one … he thinks you are going to be a strong Influencer, and I agree. Maybe stronger than your father. I know you are young, but I see a lot of potential in you. Besides, you will have these two with you. You’re not carrying this mission alone. Your job is to back them up.”

  Kai knew from childhood what his purpose on Earth was going to be — living among humans, interacting with them, being their friend, their co-worker, their ally, all to help the human race. They would help it evolve and grow and achieve greatness. He also knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy task. It was challenging to be a Trebladore, an alien living among humans, hiding his differences, working silently beside humans and Influencing them mentally, helping them make the right decisions at the right times, and hopefully, turning those humans who would follow an evil path onto the good one. Guiding, forever guiding.

  “Lincoln will be leading this mission.” Jessip stood a little taller. “I know you’re all strong; I hope you catch Billie while he’s weak.”