The Templar Reprisals (The Best Thrillers Book 3) by James Best (free ebook reader for ipad .TXT) 📗

Templars, they might drop us off their to-do list. Save a million dollars and a headache. Anyway, that’s what I was thinking. What are your thoughts?”

After a moment, Baldwin said, “I like door number three. If it works, we get our lives back.”

“How will we know if it works?” Evarts mused, almost to himself. “And where would we tell our story. This doesn’t seem like a newspaper article—too complicated—and I’m not waiting for a nonfiction book to be written. A blog wouldn’t get enough traction. A segment on a cable news network might be the only option.”

“I’ve been a guest on every cable news channel and if we craft an enticing elevator pitch, I can get us on TV.”

“Trish, not to diminish your success, but you’ve been on daytime television promoting books or as an American history expert. Can you get us in prime time?”

“Do we need to blow this sky high?”

“For our safety, the higher the better. A bang loud enough to drive the Ikhwan and Templars back to their respective corners.”

After a moment of thought, she said, “My literary agent can get us on prime time. I’m sure of it. But it needs to be a big story, one we can back up with verifiable facts.”

“Back up? I hadn’t thought that through. The Paris attack is obvious, but the French have expunged our presence. They don’t want any of this out in public. We have the three attacks here at the house, but nothing will tie them to theIkhwan or terrorists for that matter. The first two attacks were carried out by common criminals and I’m a cop.” Evarts thought some more. “Oh hell, they’re gonna write us off as conspiracy nuts.”

Baldwin nodded. “Or publicity hounds pimping my next book.”

“Can you think of another option?”

“Not off the top of my head.”

“Okay, then we do all three. Or rather we take the initial steps for all three options. Tomorrow, you start transferring funds to the Caymans, and I’ll begin the process of getting us new identities. Keep the transfers under nine thousand dollars, so this will take time. Also start building us a cash hoard. I’ll call O’Brian to initiate an alliance and focus Standish on gathering evidence to prove these secret societies exist. Call your agent and whet his appetite for a big story. Maybe suggest that there’s a book in it … or … hell, use whatever you think will work. How’s that sound?”

“You’re suggesting we get ready to jump through whichever door looks the most promising?”

“More precisely, get ready to jump through whichever door isn’t locked tight.”

“I like it,” Baldwin said. “Better than sitting idle … or analyzing the damn thing to death. What about me looking into the information Lewis gave us?”

“How would you do that?”

“Old school. Physical books. No internet.”

“Yeah, but where would you get the books?” Evarts asked.

“University library?”

“Too risky. So’s the public library. Someone will recognize you, even in your new getup. I got an idea. I’ll get fake IDs and we’ll fly to Washington under our new identities. Stay for a week or so. I’ll work O’Brian, while you do research. I heard there’s a building in D.C. with lots of books.”

She laughed. “You mean the Library of Congress?”

He smiled. “Yeah, that’s the place.”

“Great idea.”

“Take a day to set things up with O’Brian, get fake IDs, move to the apartment, and other sundry details, but we should be able to fly east tomorrow night.”

“Hot dog!”

“Hot dog? Don’t tell me you’re excited?”

“Absolutely! It’s been getting a bit dull around here. This’ll be fun.”

“Uh oh. Now I’m worried you’re going to relapse. Since we’ve been married, you’ve kept a cap on your adrenalin addiction.”

“I’m not addicted.” She swung her head left and right. “By the way, where’d I put my gun?”

Chapter 37

Evarts drove into work just as the sun began to ease from behind the coastal mountains. Instead of going to his office on the second floor, he descended to the basement. With a master key, he unlocked the door to the Joint Organizing Group Task Force room and confirmed that no one had arrived yet. The orderliness astonished him. How had Standish accomplished so much in an afternoon? All the junk had been removed and the floor swept clean. Walls were covered in Velcro or whiteboards, six desks with credenzas sat in two neat rows, screen savers adorned computers on every desktop, and a back counter supported a document scanner, radio equipment, printers, a microwave, a coffee pot, and other appliances. Mounted high above the counter were three flat screen televisions and to the side, a full-size refrigerator.

The whiteboards and Velcro panels were empty. Evarts opened the refrigerator. Empty. He checked a few desks and found no personal items, only stationary supplies. No one had yet occupied these quarters, but the room was ready for action.

He heard a rustle behind him and turned to find one of the detectives selected by Standish.

“Good morning, chief,” Roberts said.

“Good morning. You’re early.”

“My kid had a dance recital last night, so I couldn’t stay to get the quarters squared away. Thought I’d come in early to do my bit.”

“I don’t know what you’d do. Everything looks ready for occupancy.”

Roberts waved his phone. “Oh, I got plenty. Commander Standish sent me a text at midnight with a laundry list of to-dos.”

“Then I’ll let you get to it … and thank you for accepting the post.”

“Are you kidding? Commander Standish made it sound like fun. Chasing real bad guys, state-of-the-art computer software, working with other agencies, maybe even some international travel.” He laughed. “Hell, if this falls apart, she could sell used cars.”

“It won’t fall apart. Would you let Commander Standish know I want to see her when she gets in. I have a first assignment for the task force.”

“Do you want me to call her?”

“No. She was here late. Whenever she gets in will be fine.”

He heard a woman’s voice from the doorway. “How about now?”

Evarts smiled to himself. “Good morning, commander. Now would