Edward Cullen, FBI Special Agent & Psychic

Chapter 28

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 this is a work of fiction, and as such I've taken "liberties" with some things. However, there are Hoodoo men or Root Workers in real life who can do unbelievable things. There are also powerful psychics who prefer to call themselves witches as well as there are Guardian Angels, but I have never seen one myself. So with the above in mind, please just accept this as a work of fiction and enjoy the world I'm creating. 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: My undying thanks to my Beta JoanOfArt; buggins74 and AnakinsRealMom who pre-read for me, and Gabby for her back up on the psychic stuff. Wouldn't be able to do this without you!

Translations:

SOP - Standard Operating Procedures

~o0o~

Previously:

The five of us climb into the jet that's waiting for us. I tell Roger where we'll be going and ask that the jet wait for us. He tells me there's no problem and goes to the cockpit to tell the pilot where he's going. Moments later we're taxing down the runway and are airborne moments after that.

We're on our way to Baton Rouge, another car rental, and the drive down I-10 to the Atchafalaya Swamp Basin where Sam's house boat is located, as well as that of Dr. Warren Gerandy.

Unbidden the words, "The game's afoot", comes to me. I smile. Yes indeed the game's finally afoot!

~o0o~

EPOV

This is the first time Bella has been out of California and her thoughts are on the countryside as we make our way down I-10 crossing into the Atchafalaya Swamp Basin is one of awe. Oh! Wow. I wish Charlie could see this. I bet he'd go nuts with the fishing. I've never ever in my wildest dreams thought that something like this could be so beautiful, though I bet the bugs are huge and the humidity and heat awful to bear at first.

In about an hour, we reach the area that Sam had created for his vehicles when his house boat is moored. This is considered his "home base" but they spend a great deal of time floating up and down this area on the Atchafalaya River.

"Sam," Bella asks, "Why a house boat? Why not a real home on dry land?"

It's Angela who answers Bella's question, "There's very good reasons for doing so Bella. Would you like me to list them for you?"

Bella frowns, "I didn't mean to upset you; I'm sorry if I did. I just have never known anyone who lived on a river, or swamp in your case."

"Oh, it is both a river and a swamp Bella. I sincerely hope that we have time once we get this doctor taken care of to show you the beauties and terrors that lurk around every twist and turn of the water's flowing." Angela smiles, then continues. "You do know, don't you, that all thoughts are electrical within our brains?"

Bella frowns again, but nods.

"Well the images, the thought forms, that can be built up in the mind and sent out as negative things, can't seem to continue to their targets over water; fast running water is the best. So for psychics it's a calmer and safer place to be." Angela continues, "It's SOP for psychics, witches, light workers, etc. to take long showers after an operation, as that action will remove 85% of the thought forms they deal with."

Bella's mouth forms a perfect "O" in understanding.

"There are other advantages to living on water and especially here with the abundance of wildlife and ever changing landscapes. I hope you stay with us long enough to see what I mean." Angela smiles and her eyes have a look of wonder in them. She looks around and realizes, "We're here! Home again. Home again. There's no place like it."

~o0o~

Getting out of the SUV, Sam points with his chin, "Just around there is where our doctor's own house boat is currently moored.

As they are unloading their suitcases from the trunk, about 20 men come out of the swamp with shot guns and rifles leveled at them.

"Oh hell no!" Sam bellows and makes to move toward the other group.

Edward stops him with a word, "No, Sam. Trust me."

A pontoon boat is then seen to be making its way from around the bend toward them. Edward knows almost instantly that it's none other than Dr. Warren Gerandy. "Seems we have a visitor Sam."

Sam's eyes get really big and he reaches up to the little bag that hangs around his neck and starts mumbling what Edward knows are protection prayers for them all.

~o0o~

A rather tall, middle aged and paunchy man with a shock of pure white hair and dark complexion climbs out of the pontoon boat after throwing a line to one of the gunmen. He walks toward Edward and his friends standing there.

"Good afternoon ya'll. So happy you could make it. Especially you, Agent Cullen. Or should I say Special Agent Cullen, because I know you want to feel special." There is a sneer in the man's voice as he speaks to Edward.

Edward can hear coming from the man's mind: You are dead and I mean really dead. I missed you once but I won't miss again. And, yes, it was I who killed your wife and son. Do you feel better now knowing it was me?

"Why would you do that Dr. Gerandy? What have I done to attract so much hatred from you?" Edward asks simply.

"Because I can, and I could Special Agent Cullen. You see, you have a great psychic family background. You would eventually find me and either kill me or try to lock up me. I'm simply beating you to the punch this way. It's a bonus that I get to take these other 3 as well as one of LAPD's finest out at the same time. Your souls will make a great addition to my collection. Yes, that's what I'm going to do, keep your souls locked up in my soul pot." Dr. Gerandy's laugh is almost diabolical.

Sam has blanched white, Angela is shaking and Lauren has a weird smile on her face. Bella is pissed off and getting more so the more this man talks. Edward is afraid she'll do something that will get them all killed sooner rather than later.

Dr. Gerandy turns and shouts to his men, "Load these people into your vehicles and bring them to my houseboat. Do it! NOW!" With that he's back on his boat for his return trip.

The five friends are loaded into five separate trucks and driven in convoy to the space where they'd been directed.

Dr. Gerandy is standing on the deck watching them arrive. His thoughts are of victory and the torture he's planning for each and every one of them. He has them escorted on board and into a salon where they are each tied to separate chairs waiting there.

After they are all tied to his satisfaction, he has them gagged. To prevent anyone of you from speaking words of Power that could save you, he gloats in his mind.

Edward has no idea on how to get out of this one. If they'd struggled they would have died anyway, but that might have been more acceptable than what's apparently in store for them at this point.

"Well this is another fine mess you've gotten yourself into isn't it Edward?" comes a distantly familiar voice. Edward looks around the salon as best as he can considering that he's tied to a chair.

"Michael? Is that you?" Edward asks in his mind.

No immediate answer is forthcoming.

~o0o~