Ghostsuit: An Empathic Detective Novel (The Empathic Detective Book 2) by Jaxon Reed

Author:Jaxon Reed [Reed, Jaxon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kindle Press
Published: 2017-03-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Bryce and Parker listened as Agent Mendoza wrapped up his presentation. Mendoza stood about the same height as Bryce, six feet. He looked young, probably in his late twenties. With light-brown skin, hair, and eyes, Mendoza would fit in perfectly most anywhere. He had a face that would not be noticed or considered out of place. People would forget it quickly.

In short, Bryce thought, Mendoza seemed perfect for undercover work or sting operations. Right now, though, he reported on the bureau’s old-fashioned investigative work on the Hangman case.

“In summary, the rope used is one of the most common types available. Nonetheless, we’re running retail surveys in Central Texas as well as seeing who has purchased this type of rope online. Typical gumshoe stuff.”

Mendoza nodded at Nguyen, then sat down. Nguyen looked over at the detectives.

“All right, thank you. Now, Detective Bryce has something to share.”

Bryce stood and looked at the assembled law enforcement personnel sitting around the conference table. He cleared his throat, experiencing a touch of stage fright.

“This is sort of ‘out there.’ But, I think it’s important to understand that if our guy thinks it’s possible, then for him it makes sense.”

He proceeded to share what he had learned about alchemy, artificial life, and homunculi, including things he had learned from Dr. Drossel’s lecture and other sources. When he finished, he sat back down. A quick scan of the emotions in the room revealed the agents had taken his statements seriously. Nguyen in particular seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Mendoza piped up with the first question.

“And this has actually been attempted before, this creation of miniature people in the lab? It’s been successful?”

“It has been attempted before. Records are thin, but we have at least three instances where we know it supposedly worked. The most detailed historical accounts are from the late seventeen hundreds in Austria.”

Vasquez spoke next.

“You say the purpose of growing these things is to harness their psychic powers?”

“Yes. In particular, the power of prognostication. I suspect our guy thinks he can discern the future with his homunculi. Know what his competitors are going to try before they do it. Things like that.”

Nguyen broke out of his trance and asked the next question.

“How many homunculi were created in Austria, Detective?”

“Ten. Well, eight that, uh, grew up. But ten in all.”

“Hmm. We have had ten victims.”

Bryce nodded. He took another quick scan of the room and found everybody remained in a receptive mood. He decided to continue providing them with information.

“It is thought that creating a homunculus would result in a . . . I guess you could call it a person . . . who would have one of the powers of the cunning folk. Sort of a shortcut to acquiring abilities, if you will. The alchemist would then control this ‘person’ and its power. And the most sought-after power was prognostication.”

Nguyen raised an eyebrow.

“Not empathy? Manipulative empathy, like that of a harpy?”

Bryce knew Nguyen had been briefed on Desiree Lamont, the harpy, and all the trouble she had caused.

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