Industrial Magic
Page 36

No, no, Jamie said. Well, yes, youll ask the questions, but Ill relay them to her, and let her speak through me. She doesnt take over my body. Thats full channeling, and if a necro ever suggests that, find someone else. No necro in her right mind ever gives herself completely over to a spirit.
Got it.
Now, for the first part, making contact, Ill do that on my own. Its easier that way. Ill establish contact andexplain things. She swallowed. Ill tell her what happened, where she is. She may know, butwith kidsthere can be some resistance to the truth.
Damn it, I hadnt thought of this. We werent just asking Jaime to contact Dana. We were asking her to tell the girl that she was lying in a hospital bed, comatose.
Im sorry, I said. If you dont want to do this, I totally understand
Im fine. Shell figure it out sooner or later, right? Now, shes almost certainly not going to remember a play-by-play.
Trauma amnesia, I said. Lucas told me about it.
Good. Ill make contact now. This may take a while.
Twenty minutes ticked by. During that time, Jaime sat ramrod straight, eyes closed, hand clutching Danas, the occasional twitch of her cheek the only sign that something was happening.
Okay, Jaime said finally, in a cheerful chirp. Now theres someone here whos going to help us catch the guy who did this to you, okay, kiddo?
Good. The response was pitched an octave higher than Jaimes voice.
Her name is Paige, and shes a witch, just like you. Do you know what the Coven is?
IIve heard of itI think.
Its a group for witches. Paige used to be in the Coven, helping witches there, but now she works outside the Coven, so she can help all witches. That was a nice way of putting it. I mentally thanked Jaime for the positive spin. What I want you to do is tell her everything you remember, then shell ask you some questions, and well catch this guy before you wake up.
So Dana was okay. Thank God. I relaxed for the first time since walking into the room.
Dana asked when shed be waking up.
Any day now, Jaime said. Your dad is supposed to be here soon
My dad? I knew hed come. Is my mom there?
Shes been in and out, Jaime said. Taking care of you.
And theyll be there? When I wake up?
Sure will. Now, can you tell Paige what you saw?
Sure. Hi, Paige.
I opened my mouth,but Jaime answered for me. You wont be able to hear Paige, hon. Ill have to relay her messages. But youll get to see her when you wake up. Shes been pretty worried about you.
Dana smiled through Jaime, the smile of a kid who wasnt used to people giving a damn. Id make sure her dad knew about Danas situation with her mother and, if he was the kind of father Benicio said he was, Dana would never have to spend another night on the streets. If he didnt, well, then Id see to it myself.
Ill try, Dana said. ButI dont remember it so well. Its all jumbled up, like something I saw on television a long time ago and cant really remember.
Thats okay, Dana, Jaime said. We know you wont remember much, so if you dont, we understand, but if you do remember something, anything at all, thatll be great.
Well, it was Sunday night. I was coming home from a party. I wasnt loaded or anything. Id had a joint, but thats it, just one joint I shared with this guy I knew. So I was walking home through the parkI know that sounds dumb, but around there, the park seemed safer than the roads, you know? I was being careful, staying on the path, looking, listening. And then
Her voice trailed off.
Then what, Dana? Jaime prompted.
ThenI think I must forget what happens next because all I remember is this guy was suddenly standing right behind me. I must have heard him coming, maybe I tried to run, but I dont remember.
Ask her I began.
Dana continued. I know youre going to want to know what the guy looked like, but I didnt really see him. I know I should have
Hey, if it was me, Jaime said, Id have been freaking so bad, I wouldnt remember a damn thing. Youre doing fine, kiddo. Just take it slow and give us what you can.
He grabbed me, and next thing I know, Im on the ground, way off the path, in this forest. I was kind of awake, but not really, and I was so tired. I just wanted to sleep.
Drugged? I asked.
Jaime relayed the question.
II guess so. Only, it didnt feelI just remember being tired. I dont even think he had me tied up, but I didnt move. I didnt want to move. I just wanted to sleep. Then he put this rope around my neck, and I blacked out, then I was here.
I want to talk about the phone call you made, I said.
I made a phone call?
To the emergency line, I said. The Cabalthe place where your dad works.