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"What do you mean you were unable to find him?" Sandoval shouted angrily.



The Volunteer flinched, "Sir there was no one in the area at the time. We checked the logs of a nearby portal - someone did use it shortly after the time that we arrived but the coordinates were erased and there is no way to reconstruct the data."



"So, he was at the park with someone. Someone who could stay behind and erase the coordinates for him." He shouted again, at all the Volunteers, "We need to find out who was there last night. Search the park again - look for anything! Question nearby residents as well. Go!"



The Volunteers hurried out, more than eager to escape Sandoval's wrath. Brackett remained, smiling.



"What is it?" Sandoval demanded, "Do you know something?"



"No. But I do know someone who does. Detective Ellison would never have let his partner go to Bayside Park, alone, at night, in a city like Cascade unless he knew who was meeting. That's a given. The hard part will be getting Ellison to tell us what he knows, without permanently damaging him."



"Leave that to me. Are you certain we need this Sandburg?"



"Believe me Agent. To find what you are looking for, you'll need the Sentinel and his Guide. Besides, if you catch Sandburg, Ellison will do anything to make sure he stays safe - anything at all."



"I hope you're right Mr. Brackett, for your sake."



***********************



"Why?" Blair asked simply.



"Because, if the people behind the kidnapping are who we think they are, then this is bigger than you can imagine. But first, please finish telling me what you started. Something about a Sentinel?"



Augur interrupted, "Ah yes. I've read some of your theories about these enhanced senses. Done a little research myself. Detective Ellison is a Sentinel isn't he?" At the look of fear on Blair's face, Augur hurridly continued, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with us. It explains why you'd be working with Ellison. What I don't get is why you approached Joshua?"



"I read the police report about the bomb at the conference and went and checked the door of the closet myself, on a whim." He faced Joshua, "There is NO way the door could have been knocked open and no one had a reason to open the closet. If I'm right, you've been experiencing sensory spikes - you knew about the bomb because you sensed it. I think you're a Sentinel."



***********************



Jim woke up, strapped to a table. He struggled to free himself.



"I'm afraid, Detective, that you'll find there is no escape."



Jim tried to move to see the speaker's face, "What do you want from me, Sandoval?"



"For now, I will settle for the identity of the person whom your partner was meeting at Bayside Park."



"I don't know."



"Mr. Brackett disagrees. He believes you do know, and frankly, I'm inclined to agree."



"Go to hell!"



"All in good time, Detective Ellison. I will get the information I require. As you were in Covert Ops, I'm sure you are familiar with standard interrogation procedures. Of course, you are also conditioned fo them. However, I know about your enhanced senses. You know, average humans will experience hallucinations after only a short period of being deprived of their senses. One has to wonder how a person with hyperactive senses would react to sensory deprivation. Your partner would no doubt have some theories. Unfortunately, since we cannot locate him, I guess we'll have to find out for ourselves."



Sandoval motioned two volunteers over. "Unless you have something you'd like to say, Detective?"



"I have NOTHING to say to you." Jim growled.



"Fine." To the Volunteers he said, "Prepare him for sen-dep."



"If you change your mind, Detective, they will know where to reach me. But look at the bright side, you'll have plenty of time to think about who your partner might have been meeting and where he might currently be."



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