Prophecy. An ARKANE thriller. (Book 2) by J.F. Penn

you clog up.” At this, he gave a violent tug and ripped the rabbit’s ears off, leaving a lump of pink fur in his big hands.  
    “Oh, sorry, I don’t know what I was doing.”
    “That’s fine,” Maria said, taking the pieces from him and putting them out of sight.  
    “Please finish describing what you experienced.”  
    It must be the rabbit condition again, thought Maria. She and Simone didn’t know who was assigned to it, but it became obvious soon after the interview began. Suggestions were deeply embedded so the subject didn’t know what they had been told to do, but the experience of the voices made it sound as if the command had come from God himself.  
    “It was like I was dreaming, but also awake,” Agineux continued. “I’ve heard of lucid dreaming, perhaps that was it?”
    He was looking at her for some kind of sign.
      “Go on.” She remained impassive.
    “That was it mostly, except I wanted to stay there even though it was uncomfortable. There was something timeless about it, something that makes coming back to my daily life seem quite pointless. I want that feeling again, Doctor. How can I get it back?”
    “Thank you, Mr Agineux. I appreciate your candor but we can only have you in the experiment once.” She handed him a booklet. “This explains the science behind the helmet and there is also a number for you to call if you are worried or have any concerns. My assistant will show you to the rest area now.”
    “Isn’t there some kind of personal use device for this?” he asked, a tinge of desperation in his voice.  
    Maria looked at him, curious about his interest.  
    “We have your details so we’ll keep you posted with any developments. Thank you again for your time.”
    She walked out the room, trying to hide her elation. He had performed the rabbit action so the suggestion was embedded, but he also wanted more. If there was some kind of addictive effect that made people want to return repeatedly to the headset, that would drive additional benefits. This was the final result she needed for the Board presentation the following day.  

Central Police Station. Jerusalem, Israel. 12.41pm.  

    Lior Avidan entered the interrogation room holding a cup of coffee and waved at the other officers to leave. He sat across from Morgan, her hands cuffed on the metal table. He placed the cup in front of her.
    “Strong black. I thought you might need it.”
    “You remembered.”  
    She smiled at him, fatigue showing in her face, but that violet slash in her right eye was as vivid as ever. A flash of memory and he saw her laughing, eyes sparkling at him as the waters of the Red Sea swirled about them.  
    “Of course … but it’s been a long time.”
    “How’s Di?” Morgan asked.  
    “She’s in the intensive care unit at Hadassah. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she’s well looked after.”  
    Morgan visibly relaxed at the positive news of her friend.  
    “You’ve done well for yourself, Lior.”  
    His name was soft in her mouth and it thrilled him for he hadn’t heard it spoken like that for many years now. He reached for her hand but she picked up the coffee cup and drank from it. He moved his hands away again and his tone changed.  
    “I’m not sure even the Inspector General can get you out of this one, Morgan. What are you doing here anyway? And what happened at Ezra?”
    “Is the orderly dead?” she asked, ignoring his questions. “I need to speak with him. I need to know who he’s working for.”
    “What do you mean? He’s just an orderly. He was new but he was helping Dinah. You were in shock, smoke inhalation affected your judgment.” He got up quickly, throwing back the chair. “Damn you, I need a way to sort this out. It could be manslaughter if he doesn’t survive.”  
    She looked up.  
    “So he is alive then? I need to speak with him. Please, Lior.”  
    He slammed his hand down on the table.  
    “You have no right to ask Morgan, you have no