CONSEQUENCES

BY SPENSE

NOTE: First off, I must apologize for my lateness with posting. I hate to admit it, but frankly I forgot I had a story I was releasing! I've just never been able to get into this one, and I don't think I've done all that great a job with it. However, I've recently gotten a couple of e-mails reminding me that I do, indeed, have a story going, so, here are a couple more chapters. As I've stated before, the story is done. I just have to upload it! Thanks again for the reminders, and for the great feedback I've gotten.

Chapter Nine

Brains' lab was crowded. The room was spacious, expansive even. But with all of the Tracys currently on the island, as well as Brains and Fermat, and the Kyranos, and John's face from the monitor, the place seemed to overflow.

The chairs and stools available were taken, and Fermat and Gordon perched on work benches, after carefully clearing space.

Jeff took control immediately, and quickly outlined the situation. News that the Hood had escaped was unwelcome to all. TinTin blanched and exchanged quick, nervous glances with Fermat.

Kyrano spoke up, breaking the tentative silence. "I understand that you want to know about my daughter's gifts, Mr. Tracy."

Jeff smiled wryly at his old friend. "Well, yes. We're hoping that it might shed some light on how the Hood managed to cloud the fact that he had escaped. Apparently, he made the entire staff of the prison believe he was there, when he'd actually escaped."

Brains cocked his head as he considered this.

Kyrano commented thoughtfully, "That is within the scope of his power, Mr. Tracy. He has spent years honing his inherited ability to a point far beyond any of the others who had the same gifts."

"How extensive is his abilities?" Scott asked.

"Easily within the realm of making the prison staff 'forget' he is not there."

"How long range is this ability?" Virgil asked curiously.

"I don't know," Kyrano answered. "My own abilities are next to nothing. TinTin's are far more formidable. She could tell you more than I."

TinTin gulped as the attention was suddenly focused on her. After years of keeping the strange telekinetic ability secret for fear of being seeing as a 'freak', it felt odd to have that many sets of eyes on her, waiting seriously on her opinion.

"Well," she began tentatively, "I don't know about my uncle's abilities, but mine need a focus. I used my necklace." She touched the jade pendant she habitually wore. "And with the focus, I can either direct my thoughts or control an action for a short period of time. However, it exhausts me."

Jeff nodded thoughtfully. He'd seen her in action over spring break. "Do you think you could do the same at a distance?"

"I could communicate telepathically over a short distance for a short time. The further away, the harder it is," she said honestly.

"W-what about for the length of time t-the prison guards app-apparently have been under his influence. S-say a week?"

"I couldn't do it," TinTin said flatly. "It would be impossible."

"W-what about some kind of magnifier? Something-g that would make the recipient susceptible?" Brains asked.

TinTin shrugged. "Don't know."

"It would be a possibility," Onaha said, entering the conversation. "There are many, many herbs and natural remedies that have been used in Malaysia for generations. Modern medicine does not give them the credence they deserve."

Nods of agreement came from all around. Most of those present had benefited from some of those very remedies, courtesy of Onaha's medical services.

"Okay. Brains, TinTin and Onaha, I'd like you to experiment and see if you can come up with something. If we can figure out how, we may be able to determine 'how far'," Jeff said crisply, before pausing and turning to Kyrano. "Of course, if that meets with your approval?"

"Of course, Mr. Tracy. Whatever we can do to help," the man said quietly, accompanied by the nods from his wife and daughter.

"Please remember, however, that my brother has been honing this gift for years and years. And how it manifests itself in my daughter may differ from the form it takes in my brother."

"Yes, of course. But anything will help."

"Dad, what about us? What can we do?" Gordon asked from his perch next to Fermat on the workbench.

"I agree. I want to be proactive, not reactive this time. That man came after us. I say let's go after him this time," Scott said strongly.

"I'm with you," Virgil agreed.

"Amen," John agreed from the monitor.

"Calm down, boys," Jeff admonished. "But, as it so happens, I agree with you. But remember we aren't alone. Every law enforcement agency will be after him. And I'll get Penny on it as well. But John?"

"Yes?"

"The bulk of the research will fall to you. With Five's technology, you'll have the best chance to try to track him."

"And Johnny's hacking abilities, you mean," Gordon muttered, grinning, and earning himself the 'glare of death' from his father. He shut up fast.

Virgil wiped the grin off his face quickly as his father's glare turned his way at his appreciative snicker.

"I prefer to call it 'research prowess'," John said calmly.

"Fermat, I'd like you to help both John and your father."

"FAB."

"Okay, we all have our assignments. Let's get too it. The quicker that man is apprehended, the better."

"Dad?" Scott's quiet voice broke into Jeff's thoughts as the general melee of the conference was breaking up.

He looked up inquiringly at his eldest son. "Yes?"

"What about Alan? Do we bring him home?"

Virgil and Gordon came up behind Scott at the question, and John looked on.

Jeff sighed heavily and looked thoughtful. "No. . . no, I don't think so. I've thought about it, and I think he's safer at the clinic. There's no way the Hood could know where he is, and the clinic is extremely discreet. Besides," Jeff paused and sighed heavily. "I don't know that we can keep him safe from himself here at home," he finished sadly. "He needs the care they can provide right now."

Scott put a hand on his father's shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze.

"Do we tell him?" Gordon asked quietly.

"I'll let his psychiatrics know something about the latest updates on the situation, suitably edited of course," Jeff said after thinking about it a moment. "I think that they are in a better position to make that decision than I am. Possibly they will be able to help him deal with it." Jeff's despair and grief were readily apparent for a moment before he had them firmly back behind his business-like mask. But his sons saw the emotion in him eyes.

"And if Alan brings up IR?" Virgil asked.

Scott shrugged and answered for his father. "Like they'd believe him?"

"Point taken," Virgil snorted. Who would believe an unstable teenager whose own family had committed him. He shuddered at the term, but that was exactly what they had done - committed Alan to a psychiatric hospital.

"He'll be okay, Dad," John said quietly. "Alan is strong, and he's a fighter. He'll get through this."

Virgil and Gordon nodded immediate agreement.

"What about the clinic's security?" Scott asked seriously.

"I've already informed them that there may be a threat against Alan. I called them as soon as John told us. They have assured me that they are on top of it. Trust me, if there is anything out of the ordinary, they'll know it," Jeff said grimly.

"Even with the Hood's apparent powers?" John asked.

"Even so. He couldn't overpower everybody. That clinic runs a staff of about two to every one patient."

Scott whistled quietly. "Wow. That's unheard of."

"Why do you think I chose it? It's the absolute best care I could possibly find," Jeff said tiredly, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, boys, lets get to it. The quicker we locate the Hood, the quicker this is over."

And with that, they dispersed to their various assigned tasks.