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“I’m not really sure. Will they need any extra preparations?” He avoided his boss’s eyes, just in case he could see that Tully was stalling and changing the subject.
“No extra preparations. But it is important they know what they’re in for.”
When Tully looked up, Cu
“You’re sure Agent O’Dell is on her way here?”
“Of course, sir. Where else would she be headed?”
“Sorry, I’m late,” O’Dell came in as if on cue.
Tully restrained the deep sigh of relief he felt.
“You’re just in time,” he told her.
“I need a few minutes with the SWAT team, and then you’re on your way.” Cu
As soon as it was safe, Tully asked, “So how close to the toll bridge did you get before you turned back?”
O’Dell stared at him in surprise.
“How did you know?”
“Lucky guess.”
“Does Cu
“Why would I tell Cu
CHAPTER 68
Tully ripped off the fax and began piecing the four sheets together. The Maryland Parks Commission had faxed an aerial view of Harding’s property. In black and white not much could be seen through the acres of treetops. The first thing Tully noticed was that, from above, the area looked like an island except for a sliver that co
“The SWAT team is assembled and ready to go,” Cu
“Can’t see any buildings. Too many trees.”
Cu
“At least four years. Which means he’s settled and knows the area. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had a bunker somewhere on the property.”
“That seems a bit paranoid, doesn’t it?” Cu
“The guy was a recluse long before he and Stucky started their business. Some of the computer video games he sells are his own creations. The guy may be a computer genius, but he’s weirder than hell. A lot of the games are antigovernment, white supremacist garbage. He even has one called ‘Waco’s Revenge.’ Lots of Armageddon-type stuff, too. Probably sold truckloads of it in 1999, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s well prepared.”
“What are you saying, Agent Tully? You mean we might have more problems on our hands than busting a couple of serial killers? You think Harding may have an arsenal in there, or worse, have the property booby-trapped?”
“I don’t have any proof, sir. I just think we should be prepared.”
“But be prepared for what? A stand-off?”
“Anything. I’m just saying if Harding is as extreme as his games would suggest, he could freak out with the FBI showing up on his doorstep.”
“Wonderful.” Cu
“When is Agent O’Dell scheduled to be here?”
Tully glanced at his watch. She was already a half hour late. He knew what Cu
“She should be here any minute now, sir,” Tully said without indicating he thought that she might not show up. “I think we have everything we need. Is there anything I’m forgetting?”
“I want to brief the SWAT team. We should let them in on your suspicions,” Cu
“I’m not really sure. Will they need any extra preparations?” He avoided his boss’s eyes, just in case he could see that Tully was stalling and changing the subject.
“No extra preparations. But it is important they know what they’re in for.”
When Tully looked up, Cu
“You’re sure Agent O’Dell is on her way here?”
“Of course, sir. Where else would she be headed?”
“Sorry, I’m late,” O’Dell came in as if on cue.
Tully restrained the deep sigh of relief he felt.
“You’re just in time,” he told her.
“I need a few minutes with the SWAT team, and then you’re on your way.” Cu
As soon as it was safe, Tully asked, “So how close to the toll bridge did you get before you turned back?”
O’Dell stared at him in surprise.
“How did you know?”
“Lucky guess.”
“Does Cu
“Why would I tell Cu
CHAPTER 69
“We have to stay back and let them attempt to serve the search warrant,” Tully instructed. He wasn’t sure that O’Dell was even listening. He could hear her heart pounding. Or was that his own heart? The thumping seemed indistinguishable from the rumble of thunder in the distance.
They had left their vehicles far back on the other side of the electronic gate that blocked the road. Not much of a road, really. Tully had seen cow paths that were more easily accessible. Now as he and O’Dell crouched in the brush and mud, he regretted wearing his good shoes. A crazy thing to be thinking about when they were this close to capturing Stucky and Harding.
The Maryland State Patrol had supplied them with a half-dozen officers—officially for the sole purpose of serving the search warrant to the owner or occupants of the house. If no one responded, the FBI SWAT team would secure the area and accompany Tully and O’Dell in a search of the house and grounds. Tully was quick to notice that all the members of the SWAT team wore sturdy boots. At least O’Dell had remembered the FBI windbreakers. He was sweating under the weight of the bulletproof vest, but that didn’t protect him from the wind. Out here in the woods the wind swirled around the trees, crisp and cold. If the thunder was any indication, they would also be wet before the night was over. Night would come quickly in these woods, and with the thick cloud cover they would soon be in the pitch black. Already the twilight was providing eerie shadows that grew darker by the minute.
“There’s smoke coming out of the chimney,” O’Dell whispered. “Someone must be here.”
A faint light appeared in one of the windows, but it could easily be set to a timer. The smoke, however, was a little more difficult to manufacture without someone stoking a fire in the fireplace.
Two of the state patrol officers approached the front door as several of the SWAT team members moved in behind the bushes along the cobblestone path that led to the door. Tully watched, hoping he was wrong about Harding’s paranoia and hoping that the patrolmen would not simply be easy targets. He pulled out his own revolver and started sca