Read Online Finder's Fee by Alton Gansky - Free Book Online Page B

“Tell me what happened.”
    â€œI have to tell the pilot to turn us around.”
    â€œIn a second; first tell me what happened.”
    Judith felt fury rise in her. She didn’t like explaining herself under normal conditions; stress made her all the more obstinate. She jerked her hand away. “I’m telling you something’s wrong.”
    â€œI’m not arguing with you. I’m trying to understand.”
    She clenched her jaw then let it relax. Reason pushed and shoved against the fear that clouded her judgment. “I heard something. A loud pop, then Terri screamed.”
    â€œA loud pop? Like a gunshot?” Luke leaned forward.
    â€œNo. It sounded electrical, like a short in the phone.”
    Luke pressed her. “What kind of scream?”
    â€œWhat do you mean what kind of scream? How many screams are there?”
    â€œCome on, you know the answer to that. There are scores of screams. Did she scream like something surprised her or like someone with a bloody axe just walked in the room?”
    Judith thought, the sound of Terri’s voice still ricocheting in her mind. “Surprise, I guess.”
    â€œNot terror, but surprise?”
    â€œI guess. I don’t know. How am I supposed to know the difference?”
    â€œOkay, something startled her but didn’t terrorize her. That’s good.” Luke’s eyes darted from side to side and his brow furrowed.
    â€œWe don’t know that. I’m guessing.” Judith reached for the phone again, picked up the handset but didn’t dial. “You don’t think we should turn around?”
    â€œNo. It would be counterproductive for us and for the Puppeteer.”
    â€œWhy should I care? If Terri’s in danger, I should be there.”
    â€œReally. Let’s see: if we turn around, we could be back on the ground in thirty or forty minutes assuming we can land right away. By the time you get to the car and drive to your office another twenty or thirty minutes will have elapsed. Figure an hour.”
    â€œIf that’s what it takes.”
    â€œI can understand the desire to go back, Judith, but have you thought that you might be doing her a greater disservice than aid?”
    Judith tilted her head. “A disservice?”
    â€œYes. What just happened? You called your office, you connected, and then something happened on the other end. Part of our marching orders was not to contact others. This guy means business. I doubt he’s going to tolerate much rebellion on our part.” He leaned back. “Remember I said that he might have your offices bugged or your phones tapped. You told me he knew what your office looked like. Someone must have spent some time in there and they may have planted spy cameras, listening devices, and who knows what else.”
    Judith reset the phone. “How could he know … You mean that he or one of his minions was listening in when I called and did something?”
    â€œExactly. I’m guessing they planted a device in the phone to deliver a shock, or sound, or even destroy the electronics of the phone. It could be one of a hundred things.”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œTo keep you incognito. Most likely it was a message to you. Who knows what the next message will be like? It could be worse.”
    â€œAnd so by going back, you’re saying I could be further endangering Terri?”
    â€œI’m afraid so.”
    â€œBut you’re just speculating.” The fury roiled in Judith.
    â€œThat’s true. I could be all wet. Are you willing to take the chance that I’m wrong?”
    Judith thought for a moment, letting her gaze roam out the window. She felt so alone, her mind as inconsequential as the few gossamer strips of clouds beneath them.
    â€œNo.”
    Terri examined her left hand. It bore a red stripe across the palm. For a moment she thought she saw a blister rising, but none appeared. Her left ear hurt, her