Double Dare Read Online Free PDF Page A

morning.”
    “What happened this morning?” Amanda asked.
    Darcy shifted in her seat. “A few hours ago, the Terrorist Threat Integration Center alerted First Responders through Project Bioshield that a GRID ‘capabilities demonstration’ on DR-27 is likely to occur on Christmas Eve. If it does, they project that black market bidding for the virus will begin immediately following it.”
    Colonel Drake stepped in. “Homeland Security contacted General Shaw at the Pentagon and requested he activate S.A.S.S.”
    “Why is that?” Dr. Crowe frowned at the colonel. “Why you, out here?”
    Colonel Drake hesitated a short second, clearly not eager to tell him the S.A.S.S. offices had been moved out of D.C. to avoid undue interference from those on the Hill. But she did formulate an answer.
    “Our entire mission centers on GRID, Doctor. When General Shaw activated this unit, one of its first orders was to stop a potential attack and recover the DR-27.”
    “Tall order.”
    Colonel Drake held his gaze. “Yes, it was.”
    “I understand now.” Crowe nodded. “I guess it’s too much to hope that a GRID capabilities demonstration isn’t exactly what it sounds like it is.”
    Kate groaned and slid down in her chair.
    Maggie frowned at her and then at him. “Given the chance, Thomas Kunz intends to demonstrate the virus on the public, Doctor. To prove without a doubt how many it will kill, how long it’ll take them to die, and how much they’ll suffer in between. That’s how this cold-blooded bastard works.” She turned to Darcy. “Do we know where he plans to attack?”
    “Indisputably, no. But Intel has generated several sixty-five-percent projections,” Darcy said. “Multiple S.A.S.S. units are being activated—one to cover each high-potential, high-value target. Intel cites these specific targets key. Any of them will net Kunz maximum benefit, all he could possibly want or need from the demonstration, including more than a little drama and sensationalism.”
    “How many potential targets are there?” Maggie asked.
    “For obvious reasons, that information is classified above our pay grades,” Colonel Drake said. “They’re saying several targets, so I guess that’s a minimum of three. Knowing Kunz, it’s likely twice that, or more.”
    “Where is our unit’s potential target?” Amanda leaned forward in her chair.
    Darcy frowned. “Santa Bella.”
    “The shopping mall?” Crowe’s tone rippled with incredulity.
    “I’ve reviewed Kunz’s criteria and Intel’s deductions,” Darcy said. “Santa Bella fits both profiles so well it’s scary.”
    The mall Maggie had sworn on the way to work not to return to until after the new year. Damn it. She rubbed a weary hand across her brow, still curious about the other targets. “Of course Kunz won’t hit someplace like New York this time of year.” Not that she would wish a strike on anyone anywhere, but New York, Wall Street, was a prime target for all threats and had been since 9/11.
    “Why won’t he?” Crowe asked. “It’s bigger and busier.”
    “Money,” Maggie said. “Kunz is totally into money. He won’t hit a financial center for a test where anyone dying will do. Uh-uh. It’d cost him a fortune in stock losses.”
    “Why exactly is Intel deeming Santa Bella high-risk,Darcy?” Amanda asked for more specifics, clearly trying to home in on the big picture.
    “As I said, I’ve reviewed the criteria and deductions and they’re solid. There are reasons, Amanda, but I’m prohibited from disclosing them unless it becomes mission essential. The Center is exercising restraint to protect embedded agents. But I am free to state the obvious. Santa Bella is the biggest mall in the South, and on Christmas Eve, about 20,000 last-minute shoppers will be rotating through, keeping the facility packed to its three-story rafters.”
    Twenty thousand. Oh, man. Major challenges trying to defend in that situation. Major challenges. Maggie chewed her