Chapter 35: Mr. Gilman

Finding Michael wasn't the problem. Between me using his ability to track him and the fact that both Meg and Steven knew where he was, we got to the office building quickly. No, the issue was the Dragons keeping Michael and his family hostage.

"Henry Livingston," said Meg after I asked her to repeat the name.

"Doctor Livingston?" I asked.

She nodded.

I remembered Dr. Livingston from the first time we had met. He was tall and not the friendliest looking person. Not long after that run-in, he had invaded the mind of one of my girls. His mark was black and hung over his face like a mask.

Sally asked, "Is there a problem?"

Looking at her, I wasn't sure what to say. "I've run into him and had a taste of what he can do." I looked back at Meg and Steven. "He has the ability to see into someone's mind, but for some reason, coming from him, that's frightening."

Steven nodded. "He has some of my abilities, but the fear is also from him."

My eyebrows rose. "He can incite fear?"

Both of them nodded.

Turning around I considered this. Michael was in fear for his family and had seen them there. Maybe the fear was from Livingston rather than any threat.

Sally pulled into the parking garage. There were only a few cars about. I wasn't worried about getting in or out, but having less people to run into if there was trouble was good.

As we got out and headed for the entrance, the door opened and a man, someone familiar, exited. As we approached each other, he stopped and said, "Sally?"

Sally and I stopped too. Sally said, "Daddy?"

"Go on in," I said to Meg and Steven, "We'll be right behind you."

As they left, Sally's Dad approached. He glanced at the Dragons but either didn't recognize them or dismissed their presence.

Sally hugged her Dad tentatively. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I-I was..." He looked around as if not wanting to be overheard. The garage was empty except for us. "I was working."

"You found a job?" Sally said, smiling.

Her Dad nodded, but to avoid her next question he looked at me. "Who's this?"

Sally glanced at me and reached out for my left hand. "This is Ral, Daddy. You remember him. He and I dated while in high school."

Mr. Gilman looked me over. "Ral ... Ral Setton?"

I nodded. "Yes sir," I answered holding my right hand out to him to shake.

His brow furrowed as he studied me. I was worried about him noticing my eyes but he looked at Sally. "I thought you two broke up?"

"We did, but..."

"What about Jake Neilson?" he interrupted. "I thought you two were getting along quite well?"

"I broke up with him last week," Sally said crisply.

He studied her for a second. "Why?"

"I have my reasons," Sally said and she squeezed my hand.

Mr. Gilman looked at me again. "And I thought you went to college in Texas."

I nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm a student at the University of Texas in Arlington."

"Why are you here in New York?"

"I came up to open a store," I said.

"Open a store?" he said. I could feel confusion rolling off him.

Sally jumped at his hesitation. "Dad, we have to go. We have some important work to do."

She turned, as did I, thinking the conversation was over.

Her Dad, however, wasn't finished. "Sally, wait. What work?"

Sally glanced at me.

Her Dad caught the look and seemed to really take me in. "Why are you here?" he asked in what I remembered as his most stern expression.

Knowing what Michael had told me about Sally's Dad I was free to tell him what was going on. "I'm not sure how much about current events you're aware of, but we're here to help a friend of mine. He's being held hostage here by one or more Dragons."