Read Online Deja Vu by Fern Michaels - Free Book Online

exactly the enemy, but I sure as hell don’t like them.”
    Cleo used her snout to edge the president backward. “I get it,” she whispered, “you always go first. Okay, I won’t make that mistake again.”
    President Connor almost laughed out loud when she saw her guests freeze in place when Cleo marched into the room. Whatever they were expecting, Cleo definitely was not it.
    “Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce Cleo to all of you.” As the president made the introduction, she had to wonder if Cleo would remember the long heart-to-heart talk they’d had earlier about the individuals she was introducing. “We’re not going to bother with protocol today since this is just a little informal gathering. Cleo, this is Director Span of the CIA. Director Yantzy of the FBI, and Secretary Frank of the Department of Homeland Security. This last gentleman is the former director of the FBI, Elias Cummings.”
    Her gaze guileless, the president watched as Cleo’s tail dropped between her legs, and her ears flattened against her head as she walked in front of the standing men. She didn’t do anything obvious like sniff their shoes, but she did look up at them as she walked along. When she came to Elias she did sniff, her tail wagged, and her ears went to full attention. She offered a paw, which Elias took.
    “You remember me, don’t you?” Elias said, stooping down. Cleo barked again. “I personally pinned a medal on this little lady when she came back from her first tour of duty in Iraq. She did a second tour if I’m not mistaken. The Post did a long article on her and her fellow K-9s. Sergeant Sullivan …”
    “Is on his way to Afghanistan. They retired Cleo, and she’s mine now,” the president said.
    Elias ruffled the dog’s ears and grinned.
    The president motioned for the dog to walk with her to the head of the table that had been set up. “Take a seat, gentlemen. This won’t take long. Anyone for coffee or a soft drink?” A steward in a pristine white chef’s coat stood ready to serve. “Coffee for everyone,” the president said as she withdrew a chew bone from her pocket and handed it to Cleo.
    “I want to thank all of you for coming on such short notice. I know how busy you are even though it’s summer. I never did believe the myth that nothing goes on in the summer in Washington.”
    A smattering of small talk ensued until the server quietly closed the door behind him, at which point the president barked an order in a voice none of them had ever heard. “I want a yes-or-no answer to this question. I don’t want excuses because there is no excuse I will tolerate. Let’s be clear on that right now. Director Span, have you made any progress in tracking down Mr. Jellicoe?”
    “No, Madam President.”
    “Mr. Yantzy?”
    “No, Madam President.”
    “Mr. Frank?”
    “No, Madam President.”
    “It’s been a while, gentlemen. I’m finding it very difficult to understand why the three of you and your agencies have been so unsuccessful. It can’t be for lack of manpower. I give you everything you ask for. Especially you, Director Span. Sometimes I wondered who was running the CIA, you or Mr. Jellicoe. Which means he knows all your secrets. And all the secrets of the Agency. Do not try to tell me he doesn’t know them. The whole world knows he knows. And I want a full briefing on our agents that were killed. He’s popping them off, one by one, to show you he can. This is on your doorstep, Director Span. I mean a full briefing. As for you, Director Yantzy, this might be a good time for you to say whatever you have to say.”
    “Madam President, I can truthfully say Mr. Jellicoe knows nothing of the inner workings at the Bureau. I never liked the man, and I make no bones about it. I’ve said on more than one occasion that the CIA was too loose where he was concerned. It was my belief then and it still is my belief that Hank Jellicoe told the CIA what to do, not the other way around. I’ll go to