Page 45 of Fatal Mistake
“I didn’t think Muslim women were allowed to participate in such things,” Tara said. “Certainly not with ISIS, right?”
“That’s rapidly changing with women from Western countries,” Cal said. “In Europe, North America, and Australia, about ten percent of ISIS’s foreign recruits are women. The majority of them are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.”
“Jihadists actually celebrate the Muslim woman warrior,” Shane said. “These are not the women you see covered in a burka trailing behind a man, but educated women who reject their Western freedoms to join in the fight. They’re drawn by many of the same reasons as men.”
“And they’re effective for the cause,” Brynn added. “Because of the stereotypes of Muslim women, they’re often overlooked in investigations. Good for ISIS. Bad for us.”
“But the women he killed have no ties to ISIS, right?” Tara asked.
“Right,” Shane said. “And his willingness to work with Muslim women says his killing spree isn’t about Muslim women in general.”
“This fits your theory, Shane,” Cal said. “Keeler doesn’t hate women per se, and the women he’d killed must have something in common that we’re missing.”
“Once we get back to D.C., I’ll take another look through the victims’ files,” Shane offered.
“What you all are saying is that you think my rejection is Oren’s catalyst, but you still have no idea why he targeted the women he killed.” Tara sighed.
Cal peered at her and noticed the dark circles under her eyes. She was exhausted and could do with a good night’s sleep. He would suggest she go to bed, but she wouldn’t leave this room and miss out on something, so he should wrap up their conversation.
“So,” Cal said. “It looks like our most viable lead right now is the Tannerite, which could lead us to a local dealer who might have additional information on Keeler.”
“And we could find a second rifle,” Brynn added.
Cal smiled at her optimism. “The local office has freed up agents to search in the morning, and that should speed things along.”
Tara sat up, suddenly looking very alert. “I could help, too.”
All eyes swung to focus on her.
Cal shook his head. “That’s not an option.”
She lifted her chin. “You need my help.”
“I’m pretty sure we can handle the search.” Cal hated that he came across as patronizing, but he wasn’t about to let her wander around in the general area where Keeler had been spotted.
Tara came to her feet, planted her hands on her hips, and stared at him. “I know the property better than anyone. I can show you how to move through the forest on hidden routes that Oren likely used as he approached the gate and my truck. That’s where you’re going to find a weapon if he ditched one.”
“Still,” Cal said, putting force into the word. “It’s not something I’ll allow.”
“What about the rest of you?” She ran her gaze around the group, pausing to meet each person’s eyes. “If there’s a rifle out there, I’m your best hope of finding it, and I’m asking you to consider letting me help.”
Chapter 15
Tara’s statement brought awkward silence to the room, but she wouldn’t back down. Oren had ruined a homeless vet’s life and killed another innocent woman. Sure, he hadn’t killed her with a bomb, but he’d taken a life, and Tara was now more committed to doing everything possible to help catch him, even if it meant she had to put her own life on the line.
She pulled her shoulders back and ran her gaze over the group again. “I think we should put this to a vote. Who’s onboard with me helping?”
Tara heard Cal inhale and blow out a breath, but she wouldn’t back down. In fact, she looked at him and held his gaze, even though his expression said he wanted to wring her neck.
“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Brynn’s voice was strong and unwavering. “With all the acreage we have to search, Tara could really cut down the time we—”
“No.” Cal’s voice held a definite edge that Tara hadn’t heard before. “I won’t allow her to participate in the search.”
“Because she’s a civilian?” Rick asked before Tara could ask the same question. “Or do you have another reason you’d like to share with us?”
Cal clenched his hands. “It’s too dangerous for her to wander the woods.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Shane, the guy who seemed the most even-tempered of the team, asked. “We’ll have groups of Portland agents involved in the weapon search tomorrow, and Keeler’s not going to show up. If he planned to attack, he would have done it today when you left only three of us on her detail.”
