Edward Cullen FBI Special Agent and Psychic

Chapter 10

Summary: Edward Cullen is the unacknowledged grandson of Harry Houdini from whom he's inherited strong psychic abilities. Together with his closest friends: a Hoodoo man, two Witches from the Louisiana Swamps and an honest to God Guardian Angel, they work to solve crimes that ordinary law enforcement is unable to solve.

Warning: Subject matter is of an occult and supernatural nature. Some scenes may be difficult for some to read. Just remember that this is a work of fiction and a product of my imagination. Things don't really go "bump" in the night, do they?

Disclaimer: Ms. Meyer started it all. I've borrowed her characters, but this storyline is mine.

A/N:1 Thank you, JoanOfArt for your wonderful beta skills and your suggestions. I am in serious "like" with you my friend. My thanks to my pre-readers Amy and Gabby. You two rock!

Translations:

Cher = term of endearment by Cajuns.

CI = Confidential Informant

Spirits "Riding" = being possessed by a spirit

~o0o~

Chapter 10

Previously:

Sam's booming laughter filled the silence. Angela smiled at Bella for the first time, and even Lauren's mouth turned up slightly. "Bella you only just got a taste of how Angela felt when she opened herself up to the psychic forces swirling around that kitchen."

His eyes gentled then, "So now you have a very slight understanding of what my wife experienced. You didn't see anything just then, but she did. She also experienced everything that the victim felt."

"Why the hell would any of you want to feel that?" Swan asked in all seriousness.

"Because we can, and also because we want to find and stop those who would do that to another human being. It's a degrading of the Spirit, and damaging to the Soul. By finding those who commit such vile acts, we help free the Spirit and the Soul from that damage." I told her quietly.

Swan only nodded. "So who did it, and what was done to the vic?"

"I'm not really ready for the debriefing just yet," Angela said weakly. "Can we talk about it later please? My head is splitting."

Swan's thoughts were still skeptical. OK. We'll find out when the body is autopsied.

~o0o~

"Agent Cullen?"

I look up into deep brown eyes. Funny, I hadn't noticed that before. "Yes." My voice sounds flat. I am tired, I'm not sleeping well at all.

"That last phone call was from the coroner's office. They're ready to start the autopsy and they wanted to know if we wanted to attend. Do you wish to join me there?" Detective Swan has been all business since we got back from the crime scene and our breakfast when Sam showed her a small dose of how it felt to "feel" a crime scene.

"No, thank you. I know what they'll find and frankly I'm bone tired. I think I'll just have a town car take me back to my hotel. If anything new comes up, I'll call you. You do the same." I say as I stand and start putting the file folder back into my briefcase.

I precede her through the door, but feel her following behind me. She catches up to me at the elevator banks and waits with me until the elevator arrives and we share the ride down.

I feel her looking at me every once in awhile, but I really don't care.

"What?" I finally ask. I have leaned back against the elevator walls with my eyes closed.

"What's wrong Edward?"

I turn my head and look at her. "What do you mean, what's wrong?"

"You've lost that 'I know I'm right' attitude you had when I first met you." Bella says.

"I told you, I'm tired."

"I think there's more."

"Why Detective Swan? What have you detected?" I respond.

"A shift." She answers flatly.

I don't even attempt to read her thoughts. I am so tired of death. I just want to crawl into a bed and pull the covers over my head. Sam won't let me though. He'll come looking for me and pull me out of my doom and gloom. It's retribution. I've done it to him in the past. Now it's my turn.

"I'm much too tired right now to explain it to you. I need to sleep and recharge my internal battery." I say wearily, "Call me later and I'll see if I can explain it to you better after I've had some rest." The elevator car comes to a stop, the doors open and I walk out across the floor to the glass doors that part at my approach. I blink at the bright sun light. I descend the steps and wait at the curb as the town car pulls up next to me. Opening the back door, I look slightly over my shoulder and see Detective Swan standing on the steps watching me. "I think I need to call his friend Sam," I hear her thinking. I smile at her and wave.

I scoot across the seat and close the car door. The driver doesn't need to be told where I want to go. He's been hired for my entire stay and knows that if I come to the curb he's to pick me up. He also knows that he's to follow me everywhere I go while I'm here. I close my eyes and drift off into a light sleep.

~o0o~

"Sam, I'm telling you I am concerned about Agent Cullen." Bella says.

"I understand, Cher. This happens to all of us eventually. He's getting burned out. Leave him to me. I know just exactly what to do." Sam pauses feeling something. "As a matter of fact, why don't you meet me, my wife and sister-in-law for dinner at the hotel? We all need to unwind a little I think." Again, Sam pauses. "Don't even try to tell me you can't make it. You don't lie to a psychic Cher, you just don't." He pauses waiting for her response. "Good. We'll see you in about 2 hours?" "Ok. Till then."

Sam disconnects the call and looks at his wife who is laying on the bed in their suite. Lauren is in the other bedroom doing whatever it is she does when she's alone.

"Little Swan has feelings for our Edward." Sam states.

Removing the wet cloth from her eyes and forehead Angela looks at Sam and nods.

~o0o~