Read Online Chain of Command by CG Cooper - Free Book Online

former CIA head interrogator, shifted in his seat. “Representative Thomas Steiner. Second ranking Democrat from New Jersey. Unremarkable life other than his time in Congress. Has had a run-in or two with the law, nothing serious. Both charges dropped. Lives alone. Works most days.”
    “Do you think it would be useful to put him under surveillance?” Jonas asked, still taking notes.
    “I would think that the question might be better answered by one of my colleagues here with experience in the field, but since you’re asking, I would suggest starting with something passive, say using Neil’s talents?”
    Higgins was alluding to Neil’s uncanny ability to hack into anything with an electronic pulse. No one in the room could remember a time when the Indian born computer geek had been stumped.
    “That shouldn’t be a problem,” replied Neil, adjusting his new grey and black speckled Cartier eyeglasses. “Anyone else you want me to snoop on?”
    “Let’s start there. I’m sure there’ll be more soon,” said Jonas. “Now unless you guys have anything else?”
    No one did, and they adjourned to their respective tasks. The men of The Jefferson Group didn’t need handholding. They each had their place and worked like a mechanism specially made for tackling impossible missions. As the tech side went about their duties on the computers in the War Room, MSgt Trent and Gaucho headed to the kitchen.
    “What are you making for lunch?” asked Gaucho, his stomach rumbling.
    “How’s peanut butter and jelly sound?”
    Gaucho rolled his eyes. Trent was a classically trained chef. His mouthwatering meals were another bonus for the men working at TJG. Every Sunday the entire team gathered in the main house for a family style dinner cooked by Trent.
    “Okay. You want me to make quesadillas instead?”
    Gaucho’s head bobbed eagerly even though Trent had said it as a joke.
    Before the huge Marine could whip out another comeback aimed at his friend’s ethnicity, the doorbell rang.
    “I’ll get it,” said Trent. “You go get the tortillas ready.”
    Again Gaucho didn’t catch the joke, and rushed off into the kitchen. Trent shook his head with a rumbling chuckle.
    The doorbell rang again. Trent looked through the small peephole and grinned. He opened the door with a flourish, bowing at the waist.
    “Good day, milady. To what do we owe this pleasure?”
    Diane Mayer’s smile was strained. Trent caught the look on the pretty U.Va fourth year’s face.
    “Is everything okay, honey?” he asked.
    “I know Cal’s not here, but I thought I might come talk to you guys anyway.”
    Diane and Cal had been dating for a few months, something MSgt Trent and the others were more than happy about. Not only was Diane a great gal, able to put up with the constant ribbing between Cal and his friends, but she’d brought peace back into the broken-hearted Marine’s life. After losing his fiancé, they’d worried that Cal might never find true happiness again. Trent was pretty sure Diane was the one.
    She wasn’t supposed to know what Cal and his team officially did for a living, but Trent was pretty sure she did. Neil had found out that prior to enrolling at the University of Virginia on an ROTC scholarship, the blonde co-ed had served one enlistment with Naval Intelligence. He’d never voiced his opinion to Cal, but the crusty master sergeant figured it was only a matter of time before they let her in on their little secret.
    “Come on in. I was about to fix some lunch. Want some?”
    Diane shook her head. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
    Trent realized that this was the first time she’d been in the house/headquarters. Cal spent most nights at her place when he was in town.
    “Sure.”
    Trent led her inside and turned into the small parlor that sat just inside the front door. He closed the French doors and they both took a seat.
    Diane took a deep breath, and then said, “I know I’m not supposed to know what you guys