Triple Threat by H. L. Wegley Read Free Book Online Page B

shooter, I have to hack into an email server to get the messages. We can identify the email server they’re using, but the hack has to be completely anonymous because—”
    “Yeah. Because first, it could be illegal in whatever country the server resides, and second, it could get us killed.”
    “There are no international treaties regarding espionage for national defense, because everybody does it, and no one wants to point a finger while three others point back to themselves.”
    “What about the foreign country? Can they—”
    “Accessing an email server used by a terrorist in a country that harbors terrorists is only illegal there. We’re not leaving the US and we’re going to remain anonymous. Satisfied, Josh?”
    “You don’t belong to some hactivist group, do you?” Josh grinned, but his eyes held a glint of concern.
    “Yes. And so do you—Katie’s cyber sleuths.”
    “Don’t joke about it. These people are dead serious about what they’re doing. The Iranian connection is worrisome. That guy in charge is one scary dude. Even when he’s replaced, Iran will probably get someone even scarier.”
    “You’ve got that right. I was listening to a documentary last week where several Israeli political and military leaders said the same thing. Iran wants to destroy Israel as soon as they can fit their ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. And they would try it despite knowing that Israel’s retaliation would decimate Iran.”
    “But that’s crazy.”
    “Not if you really believe you have the power to bring down the Mahdi, the Islamic Messiah, and set the stage for the new caliphate.”
    “I didn’t know you were into Islamic studies, or Middle-Eastern history and politics.”
    “I’m not really. I’m more into the Bible. It pretty well describes the alliances against Israel that we’re seeing form today.”
    Josh frowned and stepped back from her. “So you are a Bible thumper. I hope you don’t plan—”
    “I’m not going to preach to you, Josh, if that’s what you’re worried about. But this problem between the Arabs, who’re mostly Islamic, and the Israelis, goes back 4,000 years, a blood feud between sons started by a disputed inheritance. It’s documented in the Bible, as well as secular history.”
    “So…how do you think it all ends, the feud?”
    “You’re not ready to hear that yet. You’ll just cut and run.”
    “Come on, Kate. If I’m putting myself in danger, I need to hear about all the possibilities.”
    “Suffice it to say, Bible scholars don’t think the US is mentioned as a player in the final showdown. Some think we won’t even be a world power at that time. You can interpret that any way you want. Now, in a few minutes, I’m going after the big kahuna, the Iranian connection’s mail server. Do you want out?”
    Josh studied her face, his expression clearly indicating he liked what he saw.
    She wondered if there would be trouble for them when attraction collided with disparate beliefs. Then there was his reluctance to—
    “Kate, are you listening?”
    “What?”
    “I said, I’m in.”
    The attraction problem is already creating issues. Maybe she had made a mistake by inviting him in. “Are you a hundred percent sure? This is the point of no return.”
    Josh’s eyes displayed a softer look. “Promise me you’ll be careful, because I—”
    She cut him off. “I promise, Josh.”
    He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m in, for better or for worse.”
    She laid her hand over his. “In sickness and in health, as long or short as we both may live?” She gave him a big grin.
    He shook his head. “You know, I never know what’s really going on in that mind of yours, and half the time I don’t have a clue what you’re doing when your fingers are flying over that keyboard on your laptop.”
    She took Josh’s hand, pulled it from her shoulder, and held it. His hand was huge, strong. It made her feel secure. Secure…Josh’s security was in his own