Into a Dangerous Mind by Tina Gerow

helpless to stop it.

    He shook the thought away and refocused his mind on the briefing.   He wouldn’t do either of them any good if he couldn’t stay on track.
    “So, how did the Reaper still get in if her shields were that tight?” asked Gerald, skeptically.   Zach could tell Gerald still had trouble buying into the whole psychic angle, but Dix looked like he was at least listening.
    Zach answered.   “Since he opened her psychic powers, at least partially, he has a special link with her which can get past her shields.   The only person who could have a stronger link with her would be the person who opens her powers the rest of the way.”
    Dix looked at Zach with a confused expression, his brows knitted, his gaze questioning.   “Then why don’t you just open her the rest of the way and you’d be one up on the Reaper?”
    “It’s not that easy, Dix.   She has to be willing and open to it, and it’s painful, which is why the Reaper’s victims are dying from the trauma.   I don’t think she’s ready for that kind of shock right now.   Most people who are opened quickly have it done during some type of traumatic experience and that’s why they don’t realize it—there’s so much adrenaline, it’s over before they know it or feel it.”   He paused and searched for the right words to explain.
    “Most people who practice their powers over time will slowly open the door due to the force of the power itself pushing on the gateway, but that happens over a span of years, not days.”
    Dix nodded and Gerald remained silent, still wearing a skeptical expression.
    “Gerald, anything else on the scene?” asked Zach.
    Gerald shook his head.   “Nothing other than we still can’t find him.   He’s playing a great game of cat and mouse.   As far as we can tell, he hasn’t accessed any of his bank or credit card accounts and hasn’t been home or to work.   We should rename this guy the Phantom instead of the Reaper.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gerald,” said Dix sarcastically.   “Go out and relieve Anderson .”
    The front door clicked open and then slammed as Gerald let himself out.   Dix’s heavy gaze weighed on Zach, but he didn’t raise his gaze to meet it.
    “Zach, let’s take off the FIBBEE hats and just talk as two best friends for a minute.”
    Zach gave no response, but only waited—eyes downcast—for his friend to continue.
    “I haven’t seen you this distracted or upset since Diane died.”
    Zach’s head whipped up as anger bubbled inside him, threatening to erupt.   “This has nothing to do with Diane.”
    Dix stared back at him.   “Don’t try to bullshit me.   I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.   This is very much about Diane.   You’re having problems dealing with your feelings for Cassidy and it’s affecting your ability to conduct a clear-headed investigation.”
    “How the hell do you know?   You haven’t had a relationship as long as I’ve known you.   You aren’t exactly an expert in this area.   Just let it drop.”   His temper simmered dangerously close to the surface, and he hoped Dix heard the message to back off.
    He should have known better.   Dix never did back down.   “Screw you.   You’re my friend and as your best friend, it’s my job to tell you when you’re totally full of shit.   Like now .”   Dix poked Zach in the chest with his   index finger.

    Zach bolted to his feet, hands fisted at his sides, adrenaline and anger flowing through him like a drug.   “Do you want to go a round here, Dix?”   His blood rushed loudly in his ears.   “I’ll wipe the floor with you, you little leprechaun.”

    Dix matched Zach’s stance and leaned in close.   “If you want to have a go right here in your living room, let’s get to it if it’ll make you feel better.”   Dix shoved Zach hard, and he fought to catch his balance before he stumbled back.

    He pounced on Dix and they both went down,