Special Talents by J. B. Tilton Page B

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?"