Iron Orchid (Holly Barker 5)

“Yes, once, in the military.”

“This will be different from that experience,” the man said. “Much more sensitive. We’re going to wire you up now, so just relax and take a few deep breaths.”

The man and the woman began attaching devices to her body: a strap around her chest, probes like those used in an EKG to various parts of her torso, clamps on her fingers and something glued to her throat. Both of them sat down behind her.

“All right, we’re ready,” the man said. “It is very important to your career with the Agency that you not lie on any question, unless instructed to. Periodically, throughout your career, you will undergo polygraph testing as a security measure, but this is the most important one you will take. Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to ask you some questions, which will be easy to answer truthfully.”

“All right.”

“Don’t speak, except to answer yes or no.”

Holly sat quietly, breathing slowly and evenly.

“Are you sixty-four years old?”

“No.”

“Are you a male human being?”

“No.” She was breathing rhythmically and answering on her exhales.

“Have you ever served in the military?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how to drive a car?”

“Yes.”

“Do you own a pet?”

“Yes.”

“All right, now I’m going to ask you some questions, and I want you to lie on each one. This is to help establish a baseline. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Is your mother living?”

“Yes.”

“Is your father living?”

“No.”

“Did you have sex with a man last night?”

“Yes.”

“Did you have sex with a woman last night?”

Holly tried not to laugh. “Yes.”

“Did you eat steak for lunch today?”