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

worked in this building, but don’t wander around. I’ll have someone assigned to escort you.”

“You mean keep an eye on us.”

“I mean keep an eye on you. Understand?”

“Yes,” they both said in unison.

“Is there a computer with secure access to the internet in your outer office?” Baldwin asked.

“I can get one. Secure from outside surveillance but my people monitor all devices inside the building.”

“Good enough,” Baldwin said. “Let’s make the most of these few minutes. We may not see you again for hours. What’s your biggest question?”

“About this attack, the Templars, or the Ikhwan?” O’Brian asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Right now?” He paused to think. “Is the Capitol Hill bombing a terrorist attack; if so, which terrorist group? Don’t assume the Ikhwan. Why the Capitol Hill Club? Is a second attack planned? Probably … so when and where? Are there Ikhwans or surrogates in D.C. and if so, how do we find and eliminate them? How do we find the Ikhwan leadership? How can we use Methow to expose more Templars? That’s off the top of my head. There’ll be more.”

Evarts asked, “Do you have assets in Jakarta?”

O’Brian became focused. “Of course.”

“Methow told us the Ikhwan leadership is there now.” Evarts made a flippant gesture. “It could be disinformation.”

“Jakarta?” O’Brian paused to think. “Makes sense. Probably in a heavily populated area so we can’t drop a Hellfire on their heads. If we locate them, we’ll need a Delta team on the ground.”

“Methow also said they move every three months, and he had no idea how long they had been in Jakarta. One more thing, he said there’s backup leadership in another geographic area and the Templars have no fix on that group.”

“Let me think.” O’Brian took a moment, then keyed a text message on his secure phone. When he finished, he said, “What else did you learn in Methow’s debrief?”

“Trish?” Evarts said.

“The leadership of the Ikhwan is a triumvirate, a caliph and two advisors. The caliph assumes the name of the Prophet. Second in command is the top guy in the backup team. Meaning—”

“Meaning if we take out the leadership, they can seamlessly continue operations,” O’Brian interrupted. After a moment. “That may be a weakness.”

Evarts nodded. “To assume immediate command, there must be a communication link between the two triumvirates.”

O’Brian was about to pull out his phone again but saw they were pulling into the Pentagon.

“Anything else. Quick,” he said.

Baldwin spoke rapidly. “Methow said they usually headquarter in Muslim countries, but not always. The Ikhwan money trail is too complicated for now, I’ll write a report.”

O’Brian got out of the vehicle and stuck his head back in. “I’m extremely interested in Ikhwan finances. Very. How long for the report?”

“An hour? Rough draft?”

“I’ll be back in an hour. You two wait here for an escort.”

O’Brien looked at the two men in the front seat and got a nod from each of them to confirm they had heard the message to his guest passengers. O’Brian slammed the door and Evarts heard locks engage. As O’Brian raced into the building, he pulled out his phone.

In less than two minutes, Wilson opened the door. “I guess I’m your minder. Come along.”

As Evarts exited the SUV, he saw her government-issue car parked behind the escort vehicle. Wilson had trailed them the whole way.

Evarts smiled at Sergeant Wilson. “The general couldn’t have made a better choice.”

“He could’ve made several better choices. I’ve already worked one and a half shifts.”

“We’ll try not to be a burden,” Evarts said.

“You already are. To top it off, I was ordered not to call in one of my MPs to babysit you.”

Once again, she marched off without looking back.

“Someone is supposed to get me a computer,” Baldwin yelled after her.

Wilson took out her phone and ordered an underling to bring a military-issue laptop to General O’Brian’s office. She evidently felt that answered Baldwin query because she hurried on, saying nothing to either of them directly.

When Evarts caught up, he said, “You’re pissed. Why?”

“Some assholes blew up two dozen people in my country and I’m assigned to watch a couple of useless civilians because I happen to be related to the general. This is bullshit. I was trained to run to ground these kind of assholes, instead I’m twiddling my thumbs with the two of you.”

“Were you only trained in field work?” Baldwin asked.

“That was an impolite question, ma’am.”

“I presume from your answer that you were taught investigative skills.”

Wilson stopped and looked hard at Baldwin. “I’m a financial forensics specialist. What’s the purpose of your question?”

“We’ll be working through the night trying to get a handle on the terrorists who did this to your city. You can watch … or become a third member of our team. Your choice.”

She hesitated. “You know something?”

“In an emergency, does your father-in-law waste time with people who can’t contribute to a solution?”

“Shit,” she said. “Of course not.” She whirled around and continued marching down the corridor. “Consider me part of the team.”

Chapter 42

Wilson ordered two more laptops to be delivered to General O’Brian’s outer office. While they waited for the equipment, Evarts and Baldwin gave a more detailed brief to Wilson than they had time to present to O’Brian. She was impressed with the amount of information they conveyed, and Evarts could see that she was relieved to be doing something meaningful. Good soldier, he thought.

They divvied up tasks. Even though Wilson’s specialty was financial forensics, Baldwin would work on a report of Methow’s finance disclosures because she had heard his description firsthand. Wilson would use her government clearance to find out all she could about the explosion at the Capitol Hill Club, while Evarts would do an online investigation of Methow. For near an hour, the only noise in the outer office was the scuffing of computer keyboards.

When O’Brian entered his office, he was moving fast. “What have you got?” he asked Baldwin.

“Nothing in print yet. I can connect to your assistant’s printer or email it to you.”

“Email. I hope that whatever you have