Page 49 of Guess Again

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Tuesday, July 29, 2025

FOR HER SECOND PURCHASE, SHE CHOSE TACTICAL ZONE IN MILWAUKEE.

She walked into the store and found a sales rep.

“I’m looking for a Kevlar vest.”

The man nodded.

“We have several brands.

Anything in particular?”

“I’ll take your suggestion if you’re able to show me a few.”

“Sure.

Follow me.”

She followed the man to the northeast side of the store, where the combat paraphernalia and tactical equipment were located.

Knives of all shapes and sizes decorated the wall, along with compasses, watches, canteens, and other essentials needed on the battlefield.

There was even a corner display of beer cozies.

It took twenty minutes for the man to showcase the Kevlar accessories, and she ended up choosing the Citizen Armor SHTF Tactical Vest, after the sales rep promised that if a round were shot into her chest, the vest would stop the bullet cold.

The purpose of the vest, she told the sales rep as she handed over her credit card, was a sport-shooting range program she was participating in that required all its participants to wear Kevlar.

She gave no explanation for why she was also purchasing a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with a drop point blade, but flirted just enough so that the man would remember the tall lady with jet-black hair and mesmerizing caramel eyes when authorities came to ask questions, which they surely would in the coming days.

“Good luck,”

the sales rep said, handing her the box with the Kevlar vest inside.

“With what?”

“The shooting-range program.”

“Oh, right.

Thank you.”

She smiled and took the vest.

She hoped a bullet never found her chest, but just in case something went wrong, she would be protected.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

She had just a few more tasks to complete before next Monday.

She climbed into her car and adjusted the rearview mirror so that the unmarked police car came into view.

She had learned the man behind the wheel—an older gentleman with a limp—was Pete Kramer, a special agent with the Department of Criminal Investigation.

She’d always known Francis was smart.

But she was starting to suspect that he was a genius, and the long game he was playing was masterful.