Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher

experience, not on vague intuitions.”
    â€œAh, but you’re revealing a prejudice. Why isn’t precognition as valid a factor as logic, experience, intellect, or common sense in making a decision? Haven’t you ever had a ‘gut feeling’?”
    â€œOf course. But again—based on experience and observation. It’s not the same.”
    â€œAre you sure about that?” Her color rose as she grew more animated. “It’s a paradox, Ross.”
    â€œWhat is?”
    â€œThe idea psi abilities cause a loss of control—it’s actually the opposite. If you sense you’re about to trip down the stairs and break your ankle, you can take the elevator instead, right?”
    She had a point. But he replied, “Maybe I’d just trip on my shoelace and break my ankle anyway.”
    Tess laughed—a long, genuine laugh. He couldn’t help feeling pleased that he’d caused it. “Okay,” she said, “you’re gonna have to buy me a drink if you want to talk about determinism.”
    Ross thought he’d like nothing better than to go out for a drink, like two normal people. This is how it should have gone between them from the beginning. This is the conversation they should have had at the summit. He could admit now that he’d felt threatened by what she represented. He suspected that sentiment ran both ways.
    â€œActually I think it’s me who owes you a drink at this point,” she continued. “What do you say we take care of Jake, microwave the leftover pizza, and open that bottle?”
    Why not? He had to somehow work up the nerve to tell her Director Garcia was coming from Washington with an agenda of his own.
    â€œYou’re on. But I’ll take care of Jake. You take care of the rest.”
    Her expression registered surprise. “Are you sure?”
    He wasn’t. But he knew if he didn’t do it, she would. “Yes.”
    â€œWith the glass between you,” she cautioned.
    He nodded, rising from the chair. “I think he’ll be more in control if you aren’t there. I’ll be back. Text me if you need me.”
    â€œI do,” she said, then laughed and turned red as her shoes as she corrected, “I mean I will.”

 
    T RUTH AND C ONSEQUENCE
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    TO: Echo Task Force
    CC: Abigail Carmichael
    FROM: Tess Caufield
    SUBJECT: Urgent Update
    CLASSIFICATION: Classified
    Seattle Psi has succeeded in conducting a series of nonlethal transfers with Echo 8 (Jake Parker). Details are provided in the attached document. Be advised that transfers for depleted Echoes are still *extremely high risk.*
    I’m working on a detailed report for the administration, which I will submit for your feedback and recommendations. Please contact me with any questions.
    Tess Caufield
    Precognitive Specialist
    Seattle Psi Training Institute
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    Â 
    W HEN R OSS left, Tess composed and sent her update to the task force. What she needed now was time to organize her thoughts for her report, but she didn’t know when she was going to get it. Jake was turning into a full-time job. More than full-time. What would she do when it came time for bed—set an alarm to wake her every few hours?
    But the truth was she never slept more than a few hours at a stretch anyway. Last night with Ross was the first time she’d slept a whole night through in as long as she could remember—though it hadn’t exactly been a natural sleep.
    By the time Ross returned she had reheated the pizza and poured the wine. He helped her carry the plates and glasses to the sofa.
    â€œHow’d it go?” she asked.
    â€œFine. He’s stopped being such a prick. I think the last encounter wore him out.”
    She nodded. “Honestly I suspect he’s bipolar. I wish I could do more to help him.”
    â€œYou’re doing a lot. He’s alive because of you.”
    â€œI’m not sure he’s grateful for