Mind Games (Games Thriller Series) by J.E. Taylor Page A

at the pictures and began to explain. “This was the MRI that we took last week. You can see the tumor in her brain.” He pointed to it, a black death sentence permeating Emily’s brain. “And this is today.” He shook his head. “There is no trace of a tumor. This is a healthy brain. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes...” He shook his head again. “This is a miracle.”
    “What are you saying?” LeAnn asked.
    Daniel stared at Jessica, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. “Jesus.”
    “There is no trace of cancer,” the doctor said and sat down. He removed his glasses, pressing on his eyelids. “I’d like to do some more tests,” he said and opened his eyes.
    “That’s not necessary,” Jessica replied and stood up. She looked over at Daniel and smiled. “I’d like to take my daughter home now.”
    “I think...” LeAnn began but Daniel put a hand on her arm and shook his head.
    “I think we will pass on the tests. She’s been through enough,” Daniel said.
    “I’d strongly suggest some more tests to be sure,” the doctor restated.
    “I agree with my ex-husband. She has been through enough,” Jessica said. “Thank you very much for taking the time to do this today.” She stood to leave.
    The doctor nodded and looked back at the film hanging in his office. “Miracle,” he said as they closed the door behind them.

Chapter 17
     
    Chris reached out and touched the mirror after her image disappeared.
    “Damn.” It’s been a weird day and it isn’t even noon.
    He walked out of the bathroom, picked up his keys and wallet and headed out of the hotel, making his way to the lighthouse where he took a seat on the ledge. The pungent aroma of seaweed and salt cascaded over the rocks, riding on the gentle breeze that filtered through his hair. Chris watched wave after wave crash against the rock barrier as high tide rolled in, hypnotized as much by the sound as the sun dancing along the ridge of each wave.
    “What am I doing here?” Leaning back, he closed his eyes and let the midday sun warm his face.
    She couldn’t really love me, not knowing everything I’ve done.
    Could she?
    He opened his eyes, scanning the vast Atlantic. “How long till I do something I regret?” He huffed at the spoken question, her question. A part of him already regretted coming to see her but if he hadn’t, she would have lost Emily. There were precious few times in his life where he made the right decision and this certainly qualified. It felt good to know he made a difference but he wasn’t sure how long he could keep this masquerade going. He wanted to be with her. He wanted the dream, but now he had a fucking ghost to deal with.

Chapter 18
     
    Eric walked into the house to find Tom in the family room flipping through a photo album. “What cha doing?”
    “Looking at pictures of your mom,” Tom said and closed the album, sliding it back in place on the shelf.
    Eric smiled. “She takes a lot of pictures.”
    “Yes she does.”
    Eric watched Tom scan the shelves of albums, waiting until he turned and met his gaze. “The bad man wants to hurt her again, doesn’t he?”
    Tom crossed to the couch and sat down, nodding. “I’m not sure what to do.”
    Eric opened his mouth and then closed it. He was old enough to know when saying something to someone would hurt them and what almost passed over his lips would have hurt Tom very much. Tom couldn’t do anything to help his mom, only Ty could. Instead, he said, “I’m not sure either.”
    “He actually...” Tom started and trailed off.
    “Yes, he actually appeared in my room.”
    “Why?”
    “He was worried about Mom.”
    “Why do you and your mom care so much about him?”
    Eric thought about this for a while. He had never spoke about what happened to anyone. “Ty did a lot of bad things. When he took my mom, she was just another prisoner to him, but then things changed.” Eric paused. “He fell in love with her and I think she provided him with