Thr3e by Ted Dekker Read Free Book Online

what?”
    “Yes, I understand.”
    “Yes, you understand what?”
    “That I have to listen carefully,” Kevin said.
    “Good. From now on you answer me when I ask you a question, and you speak only when I say you speak. Do you understand?”
    “Yes.”
    “Fine. There are only three rules to our game. Remember all of them. One, you say nothing to the cops about my riddles or my phone calls until after the time has passed. Then you may tell them all you want. This is personal—having the whole city coming unglued over a little bomb that might go off wouldn’t be useful. Are we clear?”
    “Yes.”
    “Two, you do exactly what I say, or I promise you will pay. Abundantly clear?”
    “Why are you doing—”
    “Answer me!”
    “Yes!”
    “Three, the riddles keep coming until you confess. As soon as you do, I go away. It’s that simple. One, two, three. Get it through your thick skull and we’ll do fine. Understand?”
    “Please, if you’ll just tell me what to confess, I’ll confess. Why are you using riddles? Can I confess without solving riddles?”
    Slater remained silent for a moment. “The answer to the riddles and the confession are the same. That’s the first clue and that’s the last clue. The next time you try to squeeze something out of me, I’ll walk in there and cut off one of your ears, or something as interesting. What’s the matter, Kevin? You’re the brilliant seminary student. You’re the smart little philosopher. A little riddle scares you?”
    The riddles and the confession are the same. So then maybe it wasn’t the boy.
    “This isn’t fair—”
    “Did I ask you to speak?”
    “You asked me a question.”
    “Which requires an answer, not a lecture. For that you will pay an extra little price. I’ve decided to kill to help you along with your understanding.”
    Kevin was aghast. “You . . . you just decided—”
    “Maybe two killings.”
    “No, I’m sorry. I won’t speak.”
    “Better. And just so we’re clear, you of all people are in no position to talk about being fair. You may have that old fool at the seminary fooled, you may have all the old ladies at that church thinking you’re a sweet, young fellow, but I know you, boy. I know how your mind works and I know what you’re capable of. Guess what? I’m about to let the snake out of his dungeon. Before we’re done here, the world is going to know the whole ugly truth, boy. Open the drawer in front of you.”
    The drawer? Kevin stood and looked at the utility drawer beneath the counter. “The drawer?”
    “Open it and pull out the cell phone.”
    Kevin eased the drawer out. A small silver cell phone sat in the pencil tray. He picked it up.
    “From now on you keep this phone with you at all times. It’s set to vibrate—no need to wake up the neighbors every time I call. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to call you on your home phone once the cops bug it. Understand?”
    “Yes.”
    That Slater had been in Kevin’s house was no longer open to question. What else did Slater know?
    “There’s one other little matter that needs our attention before we continue. I have good news for you, Kevin.” Slater’s voice thickened and his breathing grew heavier. “You’re not alone in this. I intend to bring someone else down with you. Her name is Samantha.” Pause. “You do remember Samantha, don’t you? You should; she called you recently.”
    “Yes.”
    “You like her, don’t you, Kevin?”
    “She’s a friend.”
    “You don’t have a lot of friends.”
    “No.”
    “Consider Samantha as my insurance. If you fail me, she dies.”
    “You can’t do that!”
    “Shut up! Shut up, you foul-mouthed lying punk! Listen carefully. In life he’s your friend, but death is the end . That’s your little bonus riddle for being so dense. You have exactly thirty minutes to solve it or your best friend will indeed go boom.”
    “What friend? I thought this was about me! How will you even know if I’ve solved the