Hard Case VII - Red Waves (John Harding Series Book 7) by Bernard Lee DeLeo Page A

possible. ‘Crusader Crue’ then began a slight teaching moment with the ‘Unholy Trio’ mugging for the camera with serious intent, hanging on Lynn’s every word. Lynn worked in all aspects of extremely violent humor and insult entwined with the Unholy Trio’s past movies.
    Nick rigged Lynn’s voice altering device to give her a pleasant female authority sound much like Apple uses as the voice of Siri. Lynn played it for all it was worth, enjoying the weird ‘Siri’ sounding voice as she did her teaching and interrogating. Muerto, Payaso, and El Kabong stifled amusement each time Lynn would pause to use the ‘Siri’ lilt in asking a question or relaying a point of interest. Bibi began groaning into consciousness, her eyes blinking and mouth moving.
    “Hello. How may I help you remember today,” Lynn asked in comical ‘Siri’ voice causing unintentional humor amongst her ‘Unholy Trio’ students.
    Bibi began to wail again with typical Lynn reaction when faced with a resistant information source. Lynn smacked Bibi across the face, shutting off her sound in abrupt manner. She then leaned down in helpful ‘Siri’ voice. “What? I’m sorry. I didn’t understand the question. Repeat everything you know about the Starlight of the Seas, even if it’s rumor, or I will be forced to plug you into our memory enhancer.”
    I saw recognition flash in Bibi’s eyes. I know Lynn did too. Luckily for Bibi, she launched into her verbal task with terrified enthusiasm. “Please… you must believe me. We were told to strike the Fisherman’s Wharf walkway and kill as many people as possible to reach the boat at the end of the Wharf. We were to draw all attention to the country’s defenses with all intelligence agencies pressured to turn their resources inward to face unknown threats. I…I heard rumors our actions were to shield a huge operation on the ocean in the Gulf of Oman.”
    When Bibi stopped speaking, Lynn leaned in close once again. “I’m sorry. Did you not understand the question?”
    “No! Wait! I know the attack will come from the new port of Chabahar! I do not know… what their target is or who is involved! Gilani knows. He betrayed us! I would tell you more if I knew. Please stop… I have nothing more I can tell you. Emir and I were given asylum as refugees with the Salinas mosque’s assurances. Once here, we trained in Washington State, but…but narrowly escaped with our lives when it was destroyed. We were sent to gather supplies. When we returned, the training compound had been wiped out. We then fled down here to the Salinas mosque where our contact Gilani told us we would be safe.”
    “Somewhat informative,” Crusader Crue stated, turning to Nick. “Shall we unhook our little birdie for now, Muerto? We can return to her if the next contestant in our terrorist ‘Truth or Consequences’ game adds more insights for us to question Bibi about.”
    “I believe that to be the way to proceed,” Nick answered. “Thank you, Crusader Crue, for staying with us a bit longer.”
    “It is always a pleasure to assist fellow patriots such as the ‘Unholy Trio’. Payaso… please escort our next terrorist in while El Muerto and El Kabong roll our lovely Bibi away for the time being.”
    I rolled the gagged and petrified Gordon Gilani into position off camera to be handled by Gus. Gordon was already in intense pain from my rather barbaric questioning before. I should have stuck to my strengths and left the questioning to Lynn. Lesson learned. Gordy appeared ready to explain anything we wanted to know. I took charge of the sobbing Bibi when she was rolled into my care from Muerto and Kabong. Payaso assumed control of Gilani, positioning him where Bibi had been with help from his other cartoon cohorts. They were definitely not as cartoonish in their horror lab.
    Lynn tore away Gilani’s gag. I could tell she saw that Gilani was ready to pop. Foregoing the hookup for the time being, Crusader Crue bent