Triple Threat Read Online Free PDF Page B

fun!”
    “Is the attack going to be an explosive device?”
    “Question one—I’ll keep count. No.”
    “What will it be?”
    “That’s question two but, sorry, you know Twenty Questions: has to be yes or no answers. But I’ll give you a do-over.”
    “Will it be a chemical/bio weapon?”
    “Sorta cheating there, a twofer. But I’ll say yes.”
    “Is it going to be in a place open to the public?”
    “Number three. Yes, sorta public. Let’s say, there’ll be public access.”
    He was telling the truth. All his behavior and the pitch and tempo of voice bore out his honesty. But what did he mean by public access but not quite public?
    “Is it an entertainment venue?”
    “Question four. Well, not really, but there will be entertainment there.”
    “Christmas related?”
    He scoffed. “That’s five. Are you asking questions wisely, Ms. Firecracker? You’ve used a quarter of them already. You could have combined Christmas and entertainment. Anyway, yes, Christmas is involved.”
    Dance thought this curious. The Brothers of Liberty apparently had a religious side, even if they weren’t born-again fanatics. She would have thought the target might be Islamic or Jewish.
    “Have the victims done anything to your organization personally?”
    Thinking police or law enforcement or government.
    “Six. No.”
    “You’re targeting them on ideological grounds?”
    “Seven. Yes.”
    She asked, “Will it be in Monterey County?”
    “Number eight. Yes.”
    “In the city of…” No, if she followed those lines of questioning, she’d use up all the questions just asking about the many towns and unincorporated areas in Monterey County. “Will it be near the water?”
    “Sloppy question. Expect better from you Ms. Firecracker. Do-over. Near the
what
?”
    Stupid of her, Dance realized, her heart pounding. There were a number of bodies of water and rivers in the area. And don’t ask about the ocean. Technically, Monterey wasn’t on the Pacific. “Will it be within a half mile of Monterey Bay?”
    “Good!” he said, enjoying himself. “Yes. That was nine. Almost halfway there.”
    And she could see he was telling the truth completely. Every answer was delivered according to his kinesic baseline.
    “Do you and Gabe Paulson have a partner helping you in the event?”
    One eyebrow rose. “Yes. Number ten. You’re halfway to saving all them poor folks, Kathryn.”
    “Is the third person a member of the Brothers of Liberty?”
    “Yes. Eleven.”
    She was thinking hard, unsure how to finesse the partner’s existence into helpful information. She changed tack. “Do the victims need tickets to get into the venue?”
    “Twelve. I want to play fair. I honestly don’t know. But they did have to sign up and pay. That’s more than I should give you, but I’m enjoying this.” And indeed it seemed that Keplar was.
    She was beginning to form some ideas.
    “Is the venue a tourist attraction?”
    “Thirteen. Yes, I’d say so. At least near tourist attractions.”
    Now she felt safe using one of her geographical questions. “Is it in the city of Monterey?”
    “No. Fourteen.”
    “Carmel?”
    “No. Fifteen.”
    Dance kept her own face neutral. What else should she be asking? If she could narrow it down a bit more, and if Michael O’Neil and his crime scene team came up with other details, they might cobble together a clear picture of where the attack would take place then evacuate every building in the area.
    “How you doing there, Kathryn? Feeling the excitement of a good game? I sure am.” He looked at the clock. Dance did, too. Hell, time had sped by during this exchange. It was now 2:42.
    She didn’t respond to his question, but tried a different tack. “Do your close friends know what you’re doing?”
    He frowned. “You want to use question sixteen for that? Well, your choice. Yes.”
    “Do they approve?”
    “Yes, all of them. Seventeen. Getting all you need here, Kathryn? Seems you’re getting