Point of Danger (Triple Threat #1) - Irene Hannon Page 0,3
went to retrieve it. I opened the door, started to bend down—and heard ticking. After I spotted a wire sticking out, I called 911.”
“Keep going.”
“I left the house and went next door to warn my elderly neighbor. Then I ran over to my other neighbors’ house to stow their dog in the basement and take cover. One of the local officers met up with me there and brought me here.”
He frowned. “Didn’t the 911 operator instruct you to vacate the area?”
“Yes—but I didn’t want Olivia or Ernie to get hurt.”
“You were taking a chance.” True as that was, it was hard to fault a woman who put the safety of others above her own.
“I couldn’t live with myself if anyone was injured because of me. This mess isn’t their fault.”
“You think it’s yours?”
“The suspicious package was left on my doorstep.”
“Any theories about who did it, or why?”
“Nothing specific—but I’m on quite a few people’s blacklist.”
Not what he’d expected to hear.
“Explain that.”
A wry smile touched the corners of her mouth. “I take it you don’t keep up with local talk radio.”
“No.”
“I host a syndicated current-events show three mornings a week. While I try to present all sides, I make no secret about my personal conservative leanings. That doesn’t sit well with everyone.”
“Does that mean you’ve been targeted before?”
“Never like this—and never at home.” She watched the bomb crew in the distance prepare the robot for deployment, faint creases marring her forehead. “Until today, the attacks have been confined to words and an occasional harmless package.”
“Define harmless.”
“A box of manure was delivered to the studio once. Also the back end of a two-person donkey costume. And a few months ago someone sent a voodoo doll that resembled me, with pins stuck in it.”
Powerful statements—but not dangerous.
“Any serious threats?”
“None that keep me awake at night.”
That didn’t answer his question.
“How about any that would keep the average person awake at night?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged and took another swig of water. “After a while in this business, you develop a thick skin. But that”—she pointed her bottle toward the cul-de-sac—“is disturbing.”
At the very least.
“Did you see anyone unfamiliar in the area as you drove in?”
“I didn’t see anyone, period. Most of the residents are young couples. The neighborhood’s deserted during working hours.”
Great.
That diminished the odds of finding someone who could have witnessed the drop-off.
And except in high-end neighborhoods, most residents didn’t have a video component in their home security systems.
But they’d canvass the area anyway. Just in case.
“What are the odds the package is a real bomb?”
At Eve’s question, he shifted his attention back to her. “Low. A homemade bomb could be triggered by an alarm clock, but digital timers are more common these days.”
“What happens if it’s a fake? A prank?”
“We investigate. Planting a hoax bomb isn’t a prank. It’s a felony. Let’s talk about any recent troubling communication you’ve received.”
“It’s all been the usual kind of garbage. None of the comments raised serious red flags.”
“Have you ever contacted law enforcement about any of these hostile messages?”
She rolled her eyes. “If I reported all the nasty notes I got, I’d be on the phone with the police every day. The left preaches tolerance—but only as long as you agree with them. If you don’t, they consider you unenlightened and fair game for their wrath. Sorry to offend if you happen to be of a liberal bent, but that’s how I see it.”
The lady wasn’t shy about speaking her mind.
No wonder she ticked off some of her listeners.
“I’m not offended. Depending on how this plays out, we may want to see any recent malicious communication you’ve received.”
“I’ll give you the contact information for the program director at the station. He and one of the admin people monitor my snail mail and social media accounts. The volume got away from me months ago. Now they just send me any notes they think merit a direct response. They’ll be happy to provide anything you need.”
“Are there any disgruntled listeners you hear from on a regular basis?”
“Some.” She rubbed her thumb over the almost-empty bottle. “Near as I can tell, though, they prefer verbal sparring to bombs.”
“One of them could have decided actions would speak louder than words.”
She flicked a glance at the first responders in the restricted area, faint furrows denting her brow. “I suppose that’s possible.”
“Any particularly controversial programs in the past couple of weeks?”
She huffed out a small snort. “Every program is controversial to some people.”
His phone began to vibrate, and he pulled it off his