Breaking and Entering (Sean)

[Lani Hunter]

The streets were just as dark as he remembered, streetlamps were easy to avoid around the harbor. But Lani wasn’t here for what he normally was. It was strange, the fog seemed thick tonight and the air different. Lani felt the chill in the air and it came back to him. This was the past, his past. He watched as a young blond kid stopped under an overhanging cargo bay door and a man pulled up in a dark car. Lani held his breath as the man handed over an envelope to the boy and he turned to leave. Lani moved before he thought, he had to stop him. If he could stop him before he ruined his life he could come up with a different way for cure Caroline. He had to do something. Lani was faster now than he had been when he was a kid and he caught up with himself easily. He grabbed the younger Lani’s arm and as he turned to face himself he was struck. It wasn’t him. It was another little boy.

Lani sucked in a sharp breath and sat up in bed his panic dissipating mildly as he realized he was in his room in Hammel. He laid back but every time he closed his eyes he saw the boy’s face. Someone he had probably seen once in a food store given face in his dream. He breathed deeply and watched his ceiling. He had to do something. The nightmare was more truth than Lani wanted to admit. His boss had been far too quiet for his taste and he had a feeling that the only reason his family was still safe was because not even his boss knew where he lived and Hunter was a generic enough name that there were several in the phone book. He had a good friend keeping an eye on his parents and so far all was quiet but Lani was paranoid that it wasn’t going to stay like that.

But the nightmare gave another truth. He was free. But what about all of the others stuck. They weren’t meta and probably didn’t have meta friends. Lani rose to his feet and a quick glance told him that it was just after six. It hadn’t been a restful sleep but there was no way he could sleep now. There were so many people still stuck in the same position he had been in. And what about all of the other children that might eventually be pulled into his situation. He had to do something. He ran a hand through his hair as he stared out the window at the dark world. He could go in but what could he do? If he showed his face he’d get a bullet to the brain before he had a chance to do anything. Telekinesis could only do so much and it would be like hitting a beehive. He could get most but there were a few that would hit him. He sighed. He needed help. Odion? No, if he wanted this taken care of for good it would have to be one in a way that neither of them had a good handle on. For honesty’s sake and he would talk about this with Odion but he didn’t want Odion involved. But there was someone who had offered help that he hadn’t taken.

Lani wondered if that offer still stood. He wasn’t sure what he would do if the telepath wanted to know everything before he jumped into this but he just hoped that Dr. Neville would help. Dressed and presentable Lani slipped out of habit into the old hoodie, it had become a constant in his life and he was giving the object more value than it should have. He started walking before he could change his mind and realizing it would still be early and the doctor would probably not be in his office yet. He knew if he waited he would probably chicken out until the fear of these nightmares drove him to this conclusion again. Lani was never good with locked doors and so when his feet found the doctors door he just let himself in. Silently he wondered if breaking in would be something that would finally piss the old calm doctor off. Lani closed the door behind him and took the time he had to search the room for cameras and recording devices. By the time the door opened for the start of the day Lani was leaning against the wall by the door his jaw set. He looked at Sean for a moment before saying without preamble. “I need your help.”

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean hadn’t forgotten about Lani.

He hadn’t met with the boy since the young telekinetic had come to his office to return his wallet, and they had discussed as much as they could before Lani had left. He had kept an eye and an ear out for the boy, just in case he came upon information that might be helpful, or should the telekinetic student require aid but not want to ask for it. However, there had been few occasions in which to approach the young man, since he was attending classes and otherwise seemed...better, if not actually fine. The psychiatrist took most of that time to tend to the other students and their concerns, some of which took a great amount of his time and attention.

Still, Sean’s door had remained open to the telekinetic, should he ever want the assistance. Or even someone with whom he could be honest without worrying about proactive steps.

The psychiatrist’s door was usually open in the literal sense. He only locked his door during confidential meetings, or when he would be out of his office for more than a couple of minutes. There were too many confidential files in there, such that he felt better not allowing free access to his office without him there as an intermediary. It was only the files about which he was concerned, as well as the information on his computer; too many sessions with students who possessed poor control over their powers had led to the removal of his valuables (monetary and sentimental) from his office years ago, and he kept his identification and wallet on him at all times. The door was locked at the end of the day until the next morning.

However, when he went to the staff lounge for a mug of coffee and a few minutes of socialization, his standard procedure was to lock the door. It took only a few seconds to lock it, and then another few to unlock it upon returning, and the sense of security was worth that minimal time investment.

The psychiatrist had gone to the staff lounge before beginning his day. He’d needed a cup of coffee, but the pot had been empty, and thus Sean had needed to take the time to brew a new one. In that time, he had picked at the plate of pastries left there by another faculty member, and he had engaged in a brief chat with Kateri about the weather.

Upon returning back, he knew, before reaching his door, that someone was in his office. That was the telepathy. His impression was confirmed by the fact that the door was ajar.

Nudging it open, he found Lani inside, professing to need his assistance.

While his door hadn’t been open in the literal sense, it had been in the figurative sense. Moreover, the psychiatrist had no approaching appointments, and his other tasks could be set aside for the moment.

Shutting the door behind him, Sean crossed to his desk and set down the mug. “Tell me what you need.”

[Lani Hunter]

Better, Lani was indeed better. Better than he could have ever imagined he would be. But a few close friends and the return on someone special and the arrival of his sister all simultaneously had seemed to be a well formulated cure from the universe for heartache. Lani had found it easy to avoid thinking about what happened in Boston and like most of the problems it lay buried and forgotten for the moment when someone brought it up. The guilt he felt then had been swallowed and for now he was doing well considering the time bomb hidden deep in his thought. Locked away from his consciousness but yet subconsciously always there. Lani had also gotten back into the habit of putting up a mask, a façade of wellness. People had been worried and he didn’t need or want them to worry about him so he had made the problem go away.

A lot of things had changed since Lani had last seen Dr. Neville to return the wallet. He and Adrianna had broken up and there was a gaping wound there, not from the loss of love but for the lack of it being there when she had professed her love to him. He couldn’t hide from the fact that it was his fault they had crumbled. He and Odion were closer than ever and that was all the more terrifying. He didn’t know what was going on or where they stood in their strange new romance. But several things had not changed. Lani still lied whenever he felt the need or desire. He hadn’t quite learned his lesson on that front. He was still vanishing in the night and stealing. He still did his very best to anger the Hammel staff, arguing with his advisor about the future, showing up for tests and getting accused of cheating for doing well. Sneaking out after hours and taunting security by slipping through their fingers time and time again. His file was steadily thickening, he figured at this point he probably had two dedicated to his shenanigans. Filled with missed detentions and reports on missed training and classes. Lani didn’t really care, once graduation came around there was nothing they could do to him.

Lani’s thorough search returned nothing and he frowned a little. His trust of the telepath was still on shaky ground and he wondered what he was doing here in the first place. There were plenty of people he knew who could take care of things like this outside the law but that was a war that would never end. He wasn’t completely convinced that anything he said to the doctor couldn’t be used in a court of law but he was relieved that there were no recording devices. Lani found himself smiling a little bit. The office was void of anything valuable. Well save the information hidden in those files, he had no idea that the doctor kept files in his office. He might have to come back and take a look more into those. He quickly shut off that thought; if the telepath was anywhere nearby he didn’t want him to catch wind of anything like that.

Lani’s power alerted him to movement of a person outside the door and he took up his place hidden slightly and putting himself in a place where he could sit in the slight shadow and yet have a quick path to the door should he need it. Lani wondered what kind of range the doctor had, it certainly seemed like Lani’s power was limited by what he could see where he was and if he focused the rooms around the one he was in. Lani raised a brow at Dr. Neville wondering why it had become his secret mission to find something that bothered the telepath. Perhaps it was because his cocky, anti-authority attitude usually did the trick with most of the other staff members. But Lani couldn’t even detect a hint of surprise or annoyance in the doctors stone like features.

With narrow eyes Lani realized that that was it. No one was this calm all the time. Poor Lani didn’t realize that not everyone was as excitable as other people. Lani had uttered his request and he watched Dr. Neville move past him and behind the desk. Once the desk separated the two of them Lani released a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. “I know it’s a lot to ask,” Lani said certainly more level headed and prepared for a meeting with the telepath this time he had his masks tightly secured to his face and he was ready to keep his thoughts about what had happened in Boston behind that iron gate. “But if I gave you enough information could you, without mentioning the source, take the information to the police with enough probable cause to get them to do something?” He needed that answer first before he went into any more detail. He needed to know if it was even worth discussing before he gave away any information.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Any amount of progress was beneficial, as far as Sean was concerned. Particularly in light of their past few interactions. The distress in the boy’s mind and his face both seemed lessened to some extent, which was also important. Now if only that meant for certain that the problems plaguing him that truly disappeared, as opposed to simply going for a bit without actively causing trouble for Lani, his friends, or his family. However, the psychiatrist had little hope of that.

He knew that the young telekinetic had been in very deep with whatever elements had been affecting him. Such situations rarely abated without outside forces. Usually, even with those in place, the results were unpleasant at best and highly traumatic at worst. Still, at least the boy had come to his office, taking advantage of the offer he had made months ago. So many months ago at this point.

A lot could change in the span of a few months, particularly in a place like Pilot Ridge. Although for his own part, little had changed for the psychiatrist. His life remained relatively constant and stable, a fact that he valued highly. While Sean was capable of dealing with the unknown, and he possessed good coping skills, he preferred consistency. Perhaps that was the effect of the telepathy that made him an unwilling bystander in most chaos in life. Perhaps it was simply part of his personality. Either way, he was grateful for the fact that his life had remained relatively constant. He had his sessions and meetings at work. He had the Student Activity Council and the LGBT Youth Center. He had his friends, and he was able to come home to Josh every night. He was satisfied with his life as it was.

However, that consistency didn’t translate to everyone else. He knew, despite not being actively involved in any of the drama amongst the student body, that there had been the winter shuffling of relationships. He had kept abreast of all of the students’ shenanigans, even if they were not actively involved with him for therapy or weren’t sent to him for discipline. Aside from Mia’s, Vincent’s, Sam Rixon’s exploits and those of the parade of other students who entered his office, he also knew of Lani’s, of Odion’s, and of everyone else. He knew of all of the assigned detentions and after school assignments. He knew of each time Odion caused someone else misery, which was another matter entirely. But, just because he knew, didn’t mean that he was actively involved.

Sometimes, it was best to watch and wait for someone to request his help. Even if some other people didn’t believe that he understood that principle.

Those tended to be the same people who believed that his calm demeanor was an act. Unfortunately for this people, he wasn’t always meddlesome, and his calmness wasn’t an act. He was simply patient, generous and collected, for better or for worse.

The psychiatrist settled down in his chair behind his desk. Once seated, he took a sip from his mug, enjoying the hot liquid as it warmed him from the inside out. He met Lani’s gaze steadily as the boy spoke, listening attentively to the request. In some ways, it was a lot to ask, because it involved trying to motivate the entire legal system. In other ways, Sean had promised to do what he could for Lani, and if separating him from whatever forces were at work involved contacting the authorities for him, he could do so.

However, Sean wasn’t a lawyer, and that was an important point to make. He tried not to promise more than he could guarantee.

“If you gave me information, I could go to the police for you. I can’t guarantee that will count as probable cause or that they won’t want the source or won’t want me to testify.” That was an aspect of the legal system that he couldn’t change. “I can promise to make the best argument I can.” And he could talk to Josh about it, as well.

[Lani Hunter]

There was a reason Lani was doing as he was doing now. He didn’t think that things were over and if he ever wanted to show his face in Boston again he needed to do something. But the only thing he knew how to do was steal and blast things with his power. He didn’t want to hurt anyone and so that ruled out the second and the first, well he would rather not get himself dug any deeper than he already was by getting involved with someone else or going after his boss’s pocket directly which would only be a call to arms for those he used to know. He didn’t want war. He wanted this to be over. Completely over. Lani knew that if something happened he would have to take action. He would be called out and it would be war. Two… no he wouldn’t let Odion get involved. One against many. It was a good thing he had a millions ‘hands’.

The one reason he had come to Sean wasn’t only because he had offered but was also because he didn’t downplay Lani’s problems. Nor did he attack Lani’s character. Lani didn’t know that someone was going to see Odion when he was in Boston. He didn’t know that Odion was their target now. He should know better. But he wanted to get them off of the streets before his family could get hurt and he wanted no one else to have to go through what he went through. He frowned his heart was throbbing with the mixture of emotions. His boss had been like a father and he had been so utterly betrayed. Then Odion had shot his boss’s foot and things had moved so fast. Lani closed that door for good but there was so much anger hiding in the memories he pressed into the depths of his mind. Lani never wanted the good Doctor involved but he didn’t see another way at this point. And even as he was thinking it he had a feeling it was too late. It would certainly be too late when he heard that Odion had run into someone he knew.

Lani watched Dr. Neville his eyes sharp and measuring. Still filled with distrust and suspicion. No one was this calm. No one. Dr. Neville was clever. That much Lani was sure of. He was easy to trust, he was calm when everyone else was chaotic. He was the level head that everyone could go to. But he was also wise enough not to go looking for trouble. Lani had only half believed him when he had said Lani could leave without fear of repercussions. And he hadn’t heard from Dr. Neville. For some frustrating reason that was making his mind label him as someone trustworthy. Well, the day was still young and one would see. Lani remained silent unaware that the Doctor was aware of all of his failings in school and with Hammel. He waited for his answer and prepared himself to stay or leave.

Face falling it was clear that that wasn’t the answer that Lani was hoping to hear. He knew he was asking a lot. But this was precisely the reason that no one in his circle dealt with the law. There were too many rules to follow. Things took so long to get done and anyone with money could manipulate the system. Justice on the underside of the world was so much simpler. Do what you will do and don’t get caught. Get caught and punishment was swift and fitting of the crime. But then there were the points when alliances changed and assassins changed hands. Simple in the darkness was still in the darkness. “That’s not good enough,” Lani heard himself say before he had decided what to say at all.

He was on the defensive again and his eyes flashed. “I can give you a name if you need a name,” Lani said slowly knowing a few off the top of his head of fellow thieves that he would rather see behind bars than on the roof. “I get that it’s a lot of ask. But you can’t give them my name. I won’t go to prison.” The last statement was a decision. Not an option. Lani wouldn’t go. He knew that he would go on the run or die before he let them take him to the places that Rhett had mentioned. Left to his imagination those places had become nightmares. He would not go. “Can’t you just say you overheard someone thinking or something?” He asked as if that would be a perfect solution. He only knew that if they knew it came from him that he would have to tell them all or nothing. He didn’t have a good excuse for how much he knew.

“Why is there need for an argument?” Lani insisted gesturing in lack of understanding with his hands. “I’m offering an entire gang to them and you don’t think they’ll take it?” No Lani knew next to nothing about the legal system. It needed to be fast too. Lani’s power was stirring and he had a feeling in his gut that everything was about to get a hell of a lot worse. As soon as he found out that Odion was in danger all bets would be off. This would be Lani’s fight and he would end it. One way or another.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean maintained eye contact with Lani, as the latter scrutinized him fully. He didn’t remark on the intensity of his gaze or on the suspicious thoughts that emanated from the telekinetic’s mind. The eye contact was to demonstrate that he had nothing to hide and that the boy had his full attention; his sober but interested expression was intended to show that he took the situation seriously without passing judgment.

“I don’t want to send you to prison,” the psychiatrist assured him, although he realized that the declaration had been intended more of a statement of purpose, as opposed to belief that Sean had the power to arrest or prosecute him. This was a point that he had made before, when discussing how he hadn’t reported his wallet stolen after meeting the telekinetic at the bus stop. That hadn’t been due to neglect or forgetfulness; quite deliberately, he had chosen not to file a police report, even though he knew that his wallet had been stolen and knew the identity of the perpetrator.

As far as the psychiatrist was concerned, Lani was a victim. Each subsequent interaction with, and every tidbit he learned about, the boy only further solidified that impression.

“I understand why you don’t want to give your name,” he added, because he wanted the boy to understand that they were not on opposite sides in this. The psychiatrist was here as a resource, and he wanted to do what was best for Lani, for Lani’s friends, and for Lani’s family, since he was fairly certain that those were the reasons that the telekinetic had remained involved with this criminal organization for as long as he had been. He didn’t want the boy to find himself exposed to the harshness of the legal system and, potentially, to the Prison Industrial Complex. At the same time, he couldn’t make any guarantees about what the prosecution would do. He was friends with one of the police officers, but that didn’t go very far in terms of influencing the system.

Sean was, perhaps, not the best person to explain the United States legal system. His best friend and partner was an attorney; the psychiatrist read about politics, he had taken mandatory civics classes, and he listened to Josh, and his other friends who interacted with the legal system, discuss their experiences. But at the end of the day, Sean was a doctor, not a lawyer, and he didn’t have the deep, intuitive knowledge, or necessary language, to describe what might or might not qualify as a legal case. He couldn’t explain all of the rules of evidence because he didn’t know all of them, or even most of them. It wasn’t his domain.

Regardless, he would do his best to explain what he did know to the young man in his office.

“I don’t know whether they’ll take it,” he corrected. It was an important distinction to make. “There are many rules about what can and can’t be used in a trial, and everyone has to be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Since I’m not a lawyer, I don’t know what looks good on its face or how to conduct a trial. And because I don’t want to lie to you, I can’t promise you what someone else, who has more knowledge and experience than I do, will make of the information.”

The psychiatrist didn’t like to lie to people when the stakes were low; he preferred honesty, even when it was tempered with discretion for the sake of others. He certainly wouldn’t lie to Lani when the stakes were as high as they were in this situation.

“I can take the name and use it, if necessary. I’m more than willing to go to the police and put forth the argument while trying to protect your identity. But I don’t know what else they might desire from you, or from me by proxy.”

It was impossible for him to determine with the tools that he had now. It would be easier if they could have a conference with a law enforcement officer, but that would involve breaking confidentiality. The psychiatrist wouldn’t even suggest that for Lani’s consideration, and he would never do that without permission from the boy. So it would involve this game of back-and-forth, with a large helping of hope that what they had would be legally sufficient.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani didn’t like not knowing what the telepath was able to hear from his mind. He wished he had some ability to keep the telepath out. But telekinesis didn’t work like that. It didn’t work with things within the mind or on the nonphysical plane. But then it existed on the nonphysical plane and crossed into the physical plane. So was there really a difference between the two planes. Lani blinked and was close to rolling his eyes at himself. He needed to focus and not get lost in one of his philosophical ponderings. It was so hard to trust someone who seemed so calm and collected. Most of the people Lani knew like that were the people who had all of the cards in their hand and knew something that he didn’t.

Nodding slowly Lani’s eyes narrowed with a mixture of trust and distrust. He wanted to believe that Dr. Neville had the power to keep him out of prison but there really was no guarantee beyond, don’t get caught and don’t get exposed. This was a delicate balance they had at the moment. One in which Lani was risking his freedom for something that may or may not work. Lani doubted the good doctor would think of him as a victim the more he learned about how much Lani enjoyed stealing. Protecting his family and friends was high on his list but on this list was still the ability to be free so that the profit he got from stealing would be his and his alone. Hopefully the doctor wouldn’t figure that part out.

“Do you?” Lani challenged before he could stop himself. “It’s not a want of anything, it’s a need. I need you to not give my name. If you give them my name I’ll deny ever having said anything.” Lani said sharply making it clear as though he were talking to his boss and making the rules. Truth was Lani didn’t have that kind of power. But he wasn’t going to be taken advantage of again. The betrayal by his boss had cut deep and Lani wasn’t going to enter into a deal that wasn’t on his terms. There was no negotiating this time. He had other, less legal, ways of dealing with this mess. Also if his name was given chances were he wouldn’t stick around long enough to fight against the system. He was the kind of person that wasn’t going to be given bail, for good reason. He would be the first to hit the road.

But Dr. Neville had a significant advantage over him here. Lani knew how the illegal world worked but had no clue beyond what he had seen on television what happened on the legal side. This was where he and Neville could trade off, because Lani doubted that the doctor knew anything about the illegal side save what he had seen on television. Not really wanting a civics lesson Lani nevertheless shut his mouth and listened for a moment. Any amount of information would be beneficial, even if it didn’t work now, in the future. “Trust me, there is guilt beyond a doubt,” Lani commented dryly. Lani nodded in understanding though he sorely wanted to keep pestering the doctor about why the legal system was so screwy.

Nodding again Lani was filtering out the names of people he could use that were not going to make him any deeper in trouble. He needed to avoid certain people who were quick to anger, those that were prone to revenge and frankly anyone good with a gun. Lani hummed with thought and hated himself for thinking so but he stated his idea anyways. “If they need information that I don’t give you offhand, if I were close enough could you just read my mind or something?” Lani asked. Yes he was giving very limited closed off permission for, in the event of there being no other choice allowing someone else into his chaotic mind.

“Doctor Neville, I’m sure you know this but time is of the essence,” Lani said soberly the look in his eyes one of weariness and worry and just a hint of fear. “It’s only a matter of time before he tries something again. I’m actually surprised he’s waited this long. It can’t be good that he’s biding his time.” Lani didn’t say his boss’s name, frankly because he didn’t know it and also because he didn’t want to be associated with him anymore. He was the head. And if the head were severed the body would fall to pieces. “But you have to know, if this goes to slow and something does happen I’ll move forward without this.” There it was all on the table. If something went wrong Lani wasn’t going to wait around for it to be fixed. He was asking for help but he was still sure he could do it on his own.

“You can use the name Kevin Hytin.” Lani said as his mind finally found a good name. A poor excuse for a thief, someone that wouldn’t be missed. He was talkative when he was drunk and he got drunk often. It wouldn’t surprise anyone that he let things slip after someone gave him a few too many.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Throughout the entire conversation, Sean’s expression remained much as it had been: open, steady, patient. He didn’t frown at the boy, he didn’t pass judgment; he didn’t yell or otherwise raise his voice, and he didn’t use accusatory language. He wanted them to have a safe discussion, and if he overheard more than Lani wanted to express, he was quite capable of holding his tongue about remarks until he thought that they had reached a point when speaking aloud was appropriate. He was more than capable of filtering through thoughts and of dividing his attention between the physical world and the mental plane.

“I’m sure there is,” the psychiatrist replied to Lani’s insistence that there was, in fact, guilt of the highest order involved in the crime syndicate. At no point did Sean doubt the boy’s assessment of the underworld activities, since he had interacted with the mafia and its leaders for quite some time. However, that wasn’t the heart of the matter. Lani could tell the truth, and Sean could believe him, with or without the use of his telepathy. Yet, at the end of the day, if the prosecution didn’t have sufficient admissible evidence to put together a case to convince a jury in a court of law – and the psychiatrist, as a mental professional and not an attorney, did not know the process by which to do that – then all of the guilt in the world was rendered meaningless. “But logic and the law aren’t always one and the same.”

Based on Josh’s stories, and his experience with prejudice and cognitive biases, he knew this was true.

The solution that Lani offered was progress insofar as their association was concerned. It was a big step that the teenager might willingly allow the psychiatrist to use his telepathy for the purpose of seeking out a specific thought. At another time, on an occasion when he and Lani weren’t actively involved in problem-solving, they could have a discussion about the significance of that offer. In the present, all the psychiatrist could do was offer the teenager a patient smile. “I don’t know,” he admitted. That was the problem with all of this; he wasn’t a legal scholar.

“I know a lawyer. I could speak of this in broad terms without disclosing your name and ask for his opinion, but only if you gave me permission.” He wouldn’t mention this to his partner otherwise, even though he knew that Josh would never divulge anything he said with the expectation of confidence. The psychiatrist’s voice was steady, as he added, “I trust him implicitly, so I know he would treat this with the utmost care.”

That did nothing for the timeframe. He would see Josh tonight at home, so that they could have the entire discussion over supper, and Sean could return to Hammel the next morning for further conversations, or go to the courthouse over lunch if Josh thought that they might have standing with the information that Lani had divulged, or was willing to divulge. He kept his attention firmly on Lani, meeting his gaze as he said, “I understand that time is of the essence, but these are two separate matters. We can establish a safety net for you and anyone else who needs protection, and we can mount the legal case. While those often go hand-in-hand, they don’t necessarily have to.” If necessary, adults at Hammel could be involved, Sean included, providing the barrier while the legal aspects coalesced.

He emphasized the adult involvement, because he didn’t want Lani to do this himself. “While I understand the frustration with waiting, I don’t think that taking everything into your own hands is wise.” He had some experience with that, although he, like the other adults involved, had sworn to take that to their graves. “I don’t want you to do this alone, and I don’t want you to put yourself at further risk. You have a lot of potential for your future, and you don’t want to lose that.”

He knew that Lani felt that way in some sense, since he didn’t want to be named for the potential case. It was a peculiar form of boundary setting, since the teenager was unwilling to risk himself in one sense but was willing to take what the psychiatrist considered a far greater risk should the first avenue – potentially hindered by Lani’s unwillingness – not pan out in a satisfactory timeframe.

“Would he be willing to talk to the police?” Sean asked, once a name was given. That was, potentially, helpful to mounting a legal case.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani only nodded to emphasize how much evidence. Really Lani would be fine with them just finding enough evidence to want to go in and investigate. Maybe with an undercover cop or something. Once they were on the inside there would be more than enough to run a trap. Lani had even been spared most of the horrors that befell most of his boss’s underlings. And that was only because he was as good as he was and didn’t need a lot of extra encouragement. No, one failure was all it took for Lani to learn that he either came back with the goods or a good reason. The more Lani was hearing about the legal system the more he was realizing how broken it was. He was starting to wonder if it might be better to deliver their own sort of justice. He knew his boss had plenty of enemies and he could always encourage a mob war. But there were always innocent casualties in those. Lani wanted this done with a minimal amount of people hurt.

Lani didn’t respond just snorted his displeasure. Forgive him for thinking the logic and law were the same. The fact remained that his boss had several high officials in his pocket and knew how to protect himself in the eye of the law. Then there was also the issue that getting the good doctor involved could potentially put him in danger. Maybe Lani could press the importance of anonymous names. These were not the kind of people that were to be messed with without the utmost care. It was mainly the fact that they were meta and had skills that had kept Lani from being outright killed. He doubted that advantage would last long. It was all too easy to manipulate someone. Lani was starting to doubt this plan and hesitate. He nodded. “Okay,” Lani sighed. This seemed like it was a bad idea on top of a bad idea. He didn’t want to talk about the implications of his offer. It was an offer out of desperation and nothing more. Letting the telepath into his mind could bring a whole slew of problems. It would only be if it worked and only if it was necessary. And really at this point Lani was much more inclined to keep the doctor as far from his private thoughts as possible.

A frown crossed Lani’s lips. This was going to involve a lot more people than he had anticipated. “The more people involved, the more chances someone will get hurt.” Lani pointed out. “These guys are not afraid of the law and they have money. They have agents everywhere. The best thing to do is to keep a few people involved as possible. And fake names, false identities are necessary. I know the law works with honest, Doctor, but my law works with guns. And guns are more permanent.” Lani’s eyes were dark and he could only hope that if the telepath were picking up anything from him it was that there was a serious risk if he got involved at all. “Another point,” Lani added while he was thinking about it, “You should think it over before you get involved at all. What I’m asking might put you at risk as well.” If Dr. Neville wanted to help that was all well and fine. Lani had asked for help, but he didn’t expect it. This wasn’t a small problem. They were talking about bringing down a whole organization. An organism with many heads.

But Dr. Neville could rest assured that Lani would be following his every move through this and if someone wanted the doctor out of the way they were going to have to get through Lani first. How had this turned into such a mess? He glanced back up at Dr. Neville as he started to speak again his mind having wandered. Lani shook his head, disagreeing. There were lives at stake. His and Odion’s and Lani’s family. Lani pushed himself off the wall at the suggestion. “No. Absolutely not. Absolutely not.” Lani said firmly. He was not going to sit backseat for this. Nor was he going to hide behind a wall of innocents like a coward. But pride aside Lani didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. He sighed and pressed on the bridge of his nose. This wasn’t going to work. “First off, if you start posting people around, someone’s going to know. There are eyes everywhere. I’m not saying don’t warn people that something might happen. But I’m saying don’t tell them what or why. The more people that know the more people will talk and the sooner my boss will come raining down with an army.” Lani was speaking more harshly than he was intending too but he felt he could not impress this upon Dr. Neville with more emphasis. “I’ve got eyes on my family and I don’t need to be babysat. Nor does Odion.” Also Lani had his own eyes watching out for Odion. “And I have eyes on Adrianna, no one is going to touch her. And if you get involved I’ll have eyes on you as well.” Yes, Lani had a set of a million eyes. Friends he had made and allies that hated his boss just as much as he did.

Sean was emphasizing adult involvement. The problem was, Lani saw himself as an adult and more prepared than anyone else Dr. Neville could set to watch him. Also he didn’t need more eyes on him. That would only make his life harder and chances were the first time he felt someone following him he would assume it was his boss and attack first ask questions later. Lani let out a little laugh. Lani didn’t say it was wise he just said he’d do it. After all when did most of the things he did come from wisdom? It was terribly rude of Lani to be laughing in Dr. Neville’s face but when he started talking about a future Lani was stunned into silence. He thought a lot about the future. But that was the first time someone had told him he had potential. A lot of potential. In something that wasn’t illegal. It struck Lani more than the telepath could know, or perhaps he did know. “I appreciate that,” Lani said looking down at his feet and falling back on the wall. He crossed his arms defensively over his chest. “But all it’s going to do it get more people involved. And I really can’t be more at risk than I already am.”

The biggest risk was for the people who knew him. He had done the unthinkable and his boss certainly wanted him dead or at least a slave again. But before that he would make sure Lani knew the price of his crimes. And that would mean he would follow all the people he loved to his grave. But before that happened Lani would take himself out. He hadn’t said anything about that to anyone and he kept a tight hold of the thought. But if that was the only solution… But it couldn’t be. In truth Lani was a coward, but he knew if that gun were pointed at his sister or his mother or father, or Odion or any average Joe on the street Lani would want it pointed at him instead. He just didn’t think he could pull the trigger himself. Well in any case, that plan was the back of plan of the back of plan of a million other back up plans. The fact still remained that Lani very much wanted to live and he was going to fight for that.

Lani had been lost in his own thoughts that when Sean asked if Kevin would be willing to talk to police. He almost asked who before his mind caught him up on what he had forgotten. The he laughed a little bit and shook his head at Dr. Neville as if he were trying to be funny. “Wait you’re serious?” Lani asked shaking his head. “Well, it would depend on how much money they had and how much booze he’d had.” Though there were possible allies on the inside none of them would be stupid enough to talk to the police. Safest bet would be to catch Hytin in a bar after several too many and wave a few Franklins under his nose.