Enemy Among Us-A Jordan Wright Thriller Read Online Free Page B

waiting to be activated.”
    “I think it is possible,” Gerhardt responded after a moment. “I remember hearing about and seeing some documents out of Iran. They were disappointed they didn’t get more out of holding the American hostages. It didn’t cripple America, like they had hoped. They developed plans for a long term project and it was going to cost them a lot of money and more than ten years; but, I think they were moving ahead. It had to do with families and getting families into the States. I never saw the details or any status reports.”
    “So, you’re not sure if they actually did it.”
    “No, but, I’m sure they started it. I’m just not sure they got people into the States. I think you’re better off to assume they got some element in that could be activated.”
    “I agree Gerhardt.”
    There was much commotion on the streets.
    “Jordan, we must go. It looks like Mass has let out and the race will be starting soon. Here are my contact numbers. I’ll help in any way.”
    “Thank you. You’ve already been a great help.”
    They left the hotel and joined in with the throngs of people on the street.
    Everyone was headed to the center of Siena. Unlike any horse race Jordan had seen, there was not a dedicated horse track in Siena, but rather the main Piazza del Campo in the town was transformed into the track. When Jordan had first walked into the Piazza for his first race, he thought his friends were pulling a fast one on him. No way could they race horses in this small area. On top of it all, over fifty thousand people were going to pack into the area to watch.
    Jordan followed Gerhardt. “So, tell me what is our strategy for the race, to win or to make sure our enemy loses?”
    “Ah, that is the question isn’t it and, I’m not sure we know just yet. We will need to pay attention to our horse and jockey and see how the line up for the start of the race.”
    They started to climb up to their seats on one of the many balconies that surrounded the Piazza del Campo. Bleachers were placed on the balconies for the day, so as to accommodate as many people as possible for the race.
    The attention went to the starting line. The Il Palio is run clockwise, versus counter clockwise, unlike most horse races Jordan had seen in the United States. Because of the small size of the venue and the quickness of the race — about ninety seconds — there was much bumping and jostling amongst the jockeys. The rules were such that the winner was the first horse that crossed the finish line, whether it had its rider or not. The course was narrow and more of a tri-oval than a circular course. Several of the turns were so tight that it would almost be impossible for every jockey to stay on his mount if most of the horses were running in a bunch as they entered the turn.
    Jordan could hear the commotion of the crowd reach a crescendo as the horses began to arrive. Each contrade cheered as their horse entered the Piazza. As the horses moved closer to the starting rope, it looked, to the untrained eye, like a catastrophe waiting to happen. This race didn’t have the organization of a Kentucky Derby, with marshals on horseback leading the racehorses from the paddock to the starting gate. There was no gate structure attached to a tractor, giving each horse a slot from which to start. At this race, there was a rope across the starting line and the horses moved up against the rope. To the virgin eye, it looked like utter chaos; but, as Jordan had come to learn, there was a great deal of tactical interplay underway, with the jockey and the horse. Depending on one’s strategy, it was critical to be in the right position for the start of the race. The starting judge could delay the start for as long as the positioning was entertaining the crowds, for there was no countdown, or signal that the rope was going to be dropped. At a certain point, the judge decided to start the race. He would just let the rope go.
    Switching between