Amaryllis Read Free

heel and contemplated her for a long moment. “And it appears that’s exactly what I’ve got.”
    Amaryllis’s brows rose. “If you choose to work with me, you will have to accept my professional ethics.”
    â€œOf course. Don’t worry, I don’t intend to do anything violent to this go-between, should we be lucky enough uncover his identity.” Lucas kept his voice calm and reassuring as he lied through his teeth. “But if he’s doing what I think he’s doing, I will see to it that he is exposed.”
    â€œI don’t understand. What exactly do you think he’s doing? Other than buying your company’s secrets, that is?”
    Lucas hesitated. “I think he’s a hypno-talent. I believe he may be using hypnosis to force Miranda to sell him Lodestar proprietary information.”
    Amaryllis stilled. She blinked once or twice and then seemed to collect herself. “Let me get this straight. You think that a hypno-talent forced Miss Locking to commit an act of corporate theft?”
    â€œIt’s a possibility,” Lucas muttered.
    â€œA highly unlikely one. Look, Mr. Trent, surely you know that there are very few strong hypno-talents. It’s a rare psychic power. People who do possess such skills generally go into medicine.”
    â€œNot all of them.”
    â€œWell, it’s true that a few do stage acts,” she admitted. “But I have never heard of a hypno-talent using his or her abilities to force someone to commit a crime. I’m not sure it’s even theoretically possible.”
    â€œI don’t see why it would be impossible,” Lucas said.
    â€œA hypno-talent would have to be extremely strong to force someone else to perform an act that violated the victim’s own ethical code. I’d say it would require a class-nine or even a class-ten talent. You know how rare nines and tens are in any talent field.”
    â€œThere are a few around.”
    â€œLess than one half of one percent of the population, according to the latest research.”
    â€œBut they do exist,” Lucas insisted.
    â€œYes, but a hypno-talent with that kind of power would be able to do very well in a legitimate profession. He or she would be working at the university or at one of the hospitals.Why would such an individual take the risk of becoming a criminal?”
    â€œWho knows? The challenge of it all, perhaps.” Lucas spread his hands. “Hell, maybe brokering the theft of corporate secrets is more exciting than a career in anesthesiology or research.”
    â€œI doubt it.”
    Lucas smiled slightly. “No offense, Miss Lark, but you sound a little naïve. Spend a few months in the Western Islands and you’ll learn that there are a lot of people in the world who would jump at the chance to violate all your cute little notions about the ethical use of psychic talent.”
    Red flags appeared in her cheeks. She glared at him. “You’re forgetting something, Mr. Trent. Even if a powerful, extremely unethical hypno-talent exists and happens to live right here in New Seattle, that individual could not operate alone. He or she would require an equally powerful and equally unethical prism to focus the talent.”
    â€œI know.”
    Amaryllis sighed. “Be reasonable, Mr. Trent. The odds are very much against such a combination getting together to form a criminal team.”
    â€œBut it’s possible.”
    She threw up her hands. “Well, yes, hypothetically speaking, I suppose it’s possible. But not probable.”
    â€œI want to check it out.”
    Amaryllis eyed him thoughtfully. “You’re clutching at straws, aren’t you?”
    â€œI’m approaching this in a rational, logical manner.”
    â€œKnow what I think? I think you’re looking for excuses to explain why Miranda Locking sold your secrets to your competition,” Amaryllis said gently. “I