The Scorching by William W. Johnstone

Author:William W. Johnstone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Published: 2021-05-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Jacob Sensor’s voice was even when he spoke to Sarah Milano, but she sensed the tension in the man.

“You’ve seen the news about the two hunters murdered in Oregon yesterday?” he said.

“Yes, I saw it,” Sarah said. “CNN says it was the work of some anti-hunting group.”

“That’s nonsense we put out to the media,” Sensor said. “There was evidence of attempted burning at the site.”

“In the Willamette National Forest, according to the TV,” Sarah said. She looked at Cory Cantwell and mouthed the name “Jacob Sensor.”

“Yes, in the Willamette,” Sensor said. “We suspect terrorism, and I want you to leave for Portland immediately. I’ve booked you and Cantwell on a one-fifteen flight.”

“Mr. Sensor, isn’t this a job for the FBI?” Sarah said. She’d now caught Cantwell’s undivided attention.

“Yes, it is, but I want the Regulators in on it. Pete Kennedy will join you in Portland, and I have three more Regulators arriving soon.”

“Sarah, let me have the phone,” Cantwell said, frowning.

“Superintendent Cantwell wishes to speak with you, Mr. Sensor,” Sarah said, being formal about it. Cantwell took the phone and said, “Mr. Sensor, Cantwell here. I . . .”

“You know about the hunters killed in Willamette?” Sensor said.

“Yes, I saw it on the TV news.”

“I want the Regulators to help find the killers. I want a success story to impress the President.”

“The news said the hunters were killed by anti-hunting extremists.”

“That’s bullshit. They were murdered by pyroterrorists. There was grass and tree scorching found at the site.”

“I don’t think the FBI will welcome us with open arms,” Cantwell said.

“I’ve ordered them to give you complete cooperation,” Sensor said. “Superintendent Cantwell, this was a terrorist act, and it can’t go unpunished.”

“I understand that, sir, but . . .”

“No buts, Superintendent. I need the Regulators to be in on this investigation. This is your big chance to make a name for yourself and finally put the Regulators on the map. Remember, the terrorists tried to burn the forest once, but were interrupted by the hunters. They’ll be back.”

“How should we proceed? I mean . . .”

“Let the FBI do the legwork, they’re used to it,” Sensor said. “Just be in at the kill. Superintendent Cantwell, I have every confidence in you. Now, let me talk with Miss Milano again.”

Sensor had little to add, except to give details of the flight and Pete Kennedy’s phone number. When he hung up, Sarah said, “Mr. Sensor wishes us luck. We’re booked on a Delta flight departing in . . . an hour and fifteen minutes. We’d better hustle, and I’ll tell Catrina Welsh that she can have her cabin back.”

“Damn it, Sarah, we’re going to be as much use in Portland as a sidesaddle on a sow,” Cantwell said.

“You know it, I know it, but Jacob Sensor doesn’t know it. Throw your gear together, we’ve got to move,” Sarah said. “We’ll leave the rental car at the airport.”

“I badly wanted to ask him if he’d iced Nikola Kraljevic,” Cantwell said.

“If he told you, he’d have to kill you,” Sarah said.

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