The Serpent's Kiss

50

Agent Roger Kandling moved toward the SWAT cop, who slowed. Kandling held up his Bureau ID so the man wouldn’t freak out with the assault rifle. “What’s this all about?” he demanded.

“Sir,” the SWAT cop said, dark eyes taking in the crowd of reporters. A wiry black man, face barely visible beneath the helmet, the SWAT cop seemed to stand up a little straighter. “The Serpent made contact with a reporter just minutes ago, and a trace indicated—”

”Wait a minute,” Kandling said. Behind him, the reporters edged closer. Dozens of microphones and cameras swung their way. He grabbed the arm of the cop and pulled him further away from the crowd. “What do you mean The Serpent made contact with a reporter?” He glanced over, searching for Mary Linzey. She stood next to her cameraman and the reporter, Steve Shay.

“That’s all I know, sir. Your field commander contacted us. The Serpent was calling from this area, sir.” Suddenly the SWAT cop tilted his head, hand to his ear. Kandling realized the guy didn’t have a walkie-talkie, but a radio patched directly to an ear bud.

“What now?” Kandling snapped.

The SWAT cop said, apparently to whoever he was in communication with, “Yes, I’m speaking with…” He gestured for Kandling’s identification. Kandling handed it over. “…Special Agent Roger Kandling. Yes.” The cop looked at Kandling. “Your phone—”

It buzzed. Kandling snapped it on. “Kandling here. Who is this?”

“Simona Toreanno. Roger, The Serpent just made a phone call to a reporter’s cell phone. It wasn’t from a cellular, though. We got a line trace. The Serpent called from the Federal Building.”