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before I took them down. Unconsciousness often wipes out memories of what occurred just before the trauma. Can I assume your talent has a similar effect?”
    For some reason the question outraged her, maybe because he asked it in such a matter-of-fact manner. She waved a hand at Vickary’s motionless body.
    “How should I know?” she said. “It’s not like I go around doing things like this every week or so.”
    “Right.” He nodded once, satisfied. “I think we can make this work. Even if one or two of them wake up with a few vague memories I should be able to convince Harding that the perps suffered hallucinations shortly before they passed out. I can tell him that’s a common side effect of my talent.”
    Another jolt of dismay went through her. “Harding?”
    “Joe Harding. He’s the special agent in charge of the local FBPI office. You’ve probably seen him in the media.”
    “Oh, yeah. The hotshot FBPI guy who always cracksthe high-profile cases. Seems like he’s on the evening news every couple of weeks.”
    “That’s Hard Joe.” Amusement gleamed again in Rafe’s bird-of-prey eyes. “Ever since he caught a two-time wife killer at a big Covenant wedding a while back here in Crystal he’s been on a roll.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    There was a short, brittle pause. For a couple of seconds she dared to hope that Rafe wouldn’t make the connection. But when she saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes she knew it was not going to be her lucky day.
    “There was a hostage at the wedding, one of the bridesmaids.” Rafe looked dangerously intrigued now. “Bellamy put a mag-rez to her head and tried to haul her out a side door. That was when he had his very convenient stroke.”
    “Mmm.”
    “Well, well, well.” Rafe’s smile widened into a wolfish grin. “You were the bridesmaid, weren’t you?”
    “I don’t see how that matters.”
    “Not likely that there’s two full-blown Sirens in this town. I should have put it together sooner. Damn, you’re good, woman.”
    “Look, if it’s all the same to you, I’d just as soon you didn’t mention your brilliant deduction to Special Agent Harding.”
    “No problem,” Rafe said easily. “My lips are sealed, et cetera, et cetera. Your talent is your business. Don’t worry, we’re used to keeping secrets in my family. Yours will be just one more.”
    “Coppersmith.”
    “What?”
    “You said your name was Rafe Coppersmith.”
    “Raphael Elias Coppersmith. Call me Rafe.”
    “Would that be Coppersmith as in Coppersmith Mining, Inc.?”
    “Yep.”
    “Wow,” Ella said. She was genuinely shocked. “Your family controls most of the quartz and crystal mining industry. Why are you running around in the tunnels doing odd jobs for the Bureau? I should think your family would have other things for you to do.”
    “Sure. But with my talent, all I’m really good at is finding deposits of hot quartz and crystal. It’s boring work for the most part, although it does have occasional moments of stark terror, as the saying goes. You know, much as I’d love to hang around and exchange life histories, I think you’d better get moving. I’ve got a few things to take care of before the task force arrives.”
    “Sure, no problem, I’m on my way.” She headed for the door of the chamber.
    “Remember, you were never here.”
    “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”
    “One more thing,” Rafe added.
    She froze in the doorway and looked back at him. “Damn, I knew this was too good to be true. You’re doing me a favor and you want something in exchange, don’t you?”
    “Are you always so cynical?”
    “I’m a realist.” She gave him a chilly, totally false smile. “Side effect of my talent.”
    “Yeah? What does that have to do with being realistic? Hell, never mind. We can talk about it later. As it happens, you’re right, I am doing you a favor today. Don’t make me regret it.”
    “I won’t. So, what do you want in exchange for letting me