Discovery (Science of Psionics Book #1) by Dave Renol

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breakfast for myself.
    I had just finished eating when I saw him
pull up. I waved him over to my booth, and got up to shake his hand
in welcome. Sitting, he declined the waitress’s offer of a menu,
but took a cup of coffee.
    “I’m surprised to see you out this way,” he
began. “How are things going these days, and what brings you
around?”
    Not quite knowing how to begin, I stalled
with the inane small talk that is typical of friends reunited. It
was annoying at first, but I eventually started to enjoy catching
up with him. Feeling marginally better now, I wanted to get to the
point but had a different problem. Every time I was about to start
the real topic, someone would walk by or the waitress would come
check on us and I had to stop.
    Always observant, Matt eventually took pity
on me and asked if I wanted to go back to his place to talk in
private. Relieved, I gave the waitress a twenty and waved him on to
the door. I followed his jeep down the highway for about thirty
minutes, rehearsing my speech in my head. Arriving, he led me into
his office where he poured us each a drink before waving me toward
a chair.
    “It’s a bit early for scotch, but you look
like you could use a belt. I can’t remember ever seeing you this
jumpy before,” he said bluntly.
    Taking a swig I began. “Well, it’s a rather
unique situation that I’ve found myself in. Not only that, but
since I was sworn to secrecy before I found out, I can’t go into
all the details.”
    Understanding, he nodded for me to
continue.
    “Theoretically speaking, what would you do if
you discovered that someone had a great weapon, but refused to
share it with us?”
    “Do you mean us as the two of us, or us as a country?”
    “Both. They refuse to disclose it to anyone,
and I only know some of the capabilities, with zero of the
workings.”
    “How dangerous are we talking here?”
    “Unknown. They have command of significant
power, both offensive and defensive.”
    “And this is right here on our home
soil?”
    “Yes. I tried to learn the inner workings,
but they claim that they couldn’t teach me how it works. I believed
them for a while, but not anymore. I left last night and came to
see you, hoping to get some advice.”
    “Do you believe yourself to be in
danger?”
    In response, I handed him the envelope that I
prepared last night. He looked startled to see what I had written
on it, and then turned grim.
    “Ok, you now have my full attention. What can
I do to help?”
    I raised my glass to him as a salute before
knocking back the scotch. It was a relief to know that he would
have my back.
    Matt had to leave to attend a staff meeting
but told me to make myself at home. He promised that we would talk
in more detail tonight and come up with a plan. Left to my own
devices, I poured myself another drink and wandered around his
house for a while. Sparse, clean, orderly … it was about what I
expected.
    After doing a few laps through the house to
no real purpose, I decided to go through my stuff and make sure
that everything was in good order. I pulled my truck into his
garage and closed the door for privacy before spreading out my
gear. As I absently cleaned my weapons, I wondered how far Matt
would go to help me.
    It seemed like Matt was gone for about a
million years, but it was really only six or seven hours. I kept
peeking through the window blinds, watching for anyone coming down
the driveway. Maybe I was getting a bit paranoid, but I didn’t even
turn on the house lights as dusk approached. I tensed for a moment
as I saw a car approach, but breathed a quick sigh of relief as I
saw that it was Matt’s jeep and he was alone. He pulled into the
empty stall of his garage and I went to meet him, thankful that he
had finally returned.
    “Sorry I took so long,” he said as he stepped
out of the vehicle. “Damn useless meetings always take way too
long.” Holding up a box he continued, “I brought a pizza. Let’s eat
and finish our