Page 62 of Wild Oblivion

Unknown.

That sense of dread twisted my stomach again. I really didn't want to answer, but I knew that wouldn’t make the problem go away. I swiped the screen and held the phone to my ear. "This is Deputy Wild?”

That familiar, haunting voice crackled through. "Deputy Wild. So good to talk to you again.”

“Tell me you’ve decided to give yourself up.”

He laughed. "No. The game is not over yet. Are you ready to play again?”

"Not particularly," I said as I stood up. I snapped my fingers to get Jack's attention, pointed at him, then pointed at the door. It was a declarative gesture, and I didn't leave any room for misinterpretation. I walked toward the exit and said to the caller, "Hang on a second. It's loud in here.”

I stepped outside into the bright sun, squinting as I hit thesidewalk. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness from the short time in the club.

"Where are you, Deputy? It sounds like fun.”

"Where are you?" I said, turning it around.

"The question you should be asking is where is the bomb?”

"Okay. I'm listening. Tell me where it is.”

"You know the drill by now. I can tell youwhen.”

"Let's start with that.”

"Six hours. That's when the bomb will detonate.”

"You’ve lost all credibility. How do I know it won't go off sooner?”

"You don't.”

"So why bother with a deadline?"

"If it makes you feel better, we can saywithinsix hours."

"That doesn't particularly make me feel any better. What would make me feel great is if you told me exactly where it is.”

He laughed again. "That's not going to happen. But don't worry. I'm not targeting you this time. In all honesty, I wasn't targeting you before. If I was, you'd be dead.”

"Okay. Give me something to go on.”

"All of my clues have been way too simple up to this point. I think this should be a little more challenging, wouldn't you agree?”

"No. I wouldn't."

"I can give you no clue at all.”

“I’d prefer a clue, thank you.”

“No. I think no clue is your clue. Good luck.” He ended the call.

Again, I wanted to smash the phone on the sidewalk, but thought better of it.

By that time, Jack had escorted Henrik onto the sidewalk.

“What’s going on?” JD asked.

I told him, then said, “No clue is the clue.”