Page 93 of Viking Unchained

“To sum it up: We now know the person we’re looking for is Jamal Udeen, thanks to the intel from his brother. He is looking for revenge on the Denton family . . . in particular Lydia Denton and her son.”

Lydia shivered in her folding seat between her mother and father, even though she’d known this since last night. Thorfinn was standing against the far wall with his cousin Torolf and the SEALs. He nodded to acknowledge her glance, his face grim with fury. Over and over, he kept telling her that he would protect her and Mike, but she didn’t see how he could keep such a promise.

“He’s been camping at two hillside sites overlooking the Denton and Hartley farms. He was efficient in cleaning up after himself, but not clean enough, thanks to a few bloodhounds.

“Jamal is armed and highly dangerous. You all have pictures, but keep in mind he will no doubt be in disguise. Although we don’t know his specific plan, we suspect it involves the memorial service tomorrow.

“Only those carrying invitations will be allowed within two blocks of the town square. In addition, this is a small town where everybody knows everybody; so, we have volunteers patrolling all the streets with walkie-talkies, ordered to report anyone they don’t recognize. Even out-of-town newshounds who might have smelled a story. They’d better have invitations with photo IDs, or they won’t be allowed in. State troopers are handling the permit situation.

“They found Jamal’s computer at the dump, hacked to a pulp. Still, we have our electronics geeks at work trying to see if they can get any clues as to what he’s up to.

“In the meantime, everyone go on as usual, but be very, very careful. That’s all. Good day!”

What a mess! Lydia thought they should have cancelled the event. Dave wouldn’t have cared. But his parents and the authorities convinced her to carry on. Once you gave in to a terrorist, it would snowball.

Besides, they needed to nab this guy ASAP.

Once outside, Thorfinn gave her a one-armed hug to his side, leading her to the SUV rental. “Enough of all this gloominess. Come, let us go spend time with our son.”

She should have corrected him then.

But she didn’t.

One more, for the road . . .

Thorfinn was disgusted. Every suggestion he made to occupy their time, and take their minds off the villain, got a blunt “No!” from those in charge of this mission, meaning the fibbies, the local law men, and JAM, who was the SEAL leader here.

JAM was usually the one delivering the communal refusals.

“Lydia, Mike, and I would like to ride some horses over to a waterfall.”

“No!”

“How about the old mill and pond? That’s not so far.”

“No!”

“Can we drive into Farmdale and watch a move-he?” He had seen several whilst staying with Torolf and Hilda, who had phoned him several times to give him advice on how to behave around Lydia and her son. He’d cut Hilda off last time mid-tirade.

“A new Disney movie is playing,” Lydia had added.

“No!”

“Mr. Hartley wants to show us how his new hay mower works in the south pasture.”

“No!”

“Can we go over to the Denton farm and help rebuild the barn?”

“No!”

“I want to go out in the barn and play with Lydia.” She had been standing nearby when he’d asked that one, thus curbing any crudity he might have considered using.

“No!”

“Can I twiddle my thumbs?”

“Very funny.”