Read Online Fallen Angel by Jeff Struecker - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jeff Struecker
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family concerns compel me to resign as vice president of these United States of America effective on any day you see fit.
It has been my honor to be of service to you and to our great country.
Respectfully,
Andrew Bacliff
Private citizen
"I don't understand." Tess lowered the letter.
"I do." Mac looked at the president.
"Go on."
Mac turned his gaze to the VP. "The Air Force Spec Ops team?"
Bacliff nodded and although he tried to show no emotion, fear seeped through his expression.
Tess cocked her head. "I've been briefed on the team, and I don't recall reading about any of your family members, sir."
"That's the way it's supposed to be, Dr. Rand. My son and I thought it best to keep his identity a secret. When he entered the military, he changed his last name—well, he didn't really change his name, he just used his mother's maiden name as his last name. Of course, the military knows this. At the time, I was a ranking member of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate. I asked for a favor and received it. Considering the present state of the media in our country, you can understand why I would like to keep that under wraps."
"Yes, sir." Tess understood. Bacliff was one of those politicians who ran for office because he cared so much for his country. The man could have made millions in business, but he chose a life of public service. Such men often brought up children who shared the same level of patriotism.
"My son wanted to be a military man ever since he was eight years old. I figured it would pass, but it didn't. I chose a life of public service, which created problems for him. He didn't want to be just another senator's child in the service, passing time in the States. He wanted to do real military work. You can imagine the problems being my son might present."
Bacliff inhaled deeply. "He wanted no special treatment or protection. He just wanted to serve." Tears welled in his eyes and Tess caught herself looking away.
"He sounds like a brave man." Mac didn't break his gaze.
"He is, Colonel. He is. His mother is in a terrible state."
"I can't even imagine," Tess said.
"You see the problem." Bacliff dabbed at his eyes, unembarrassed by the show of emotion. "If his captors learn of his connection to me, then it will make things even more difficult for all involved. It is reasonable to assume they might use him to get to me. I can't allow that. All I can do is resign. That way, I'm out of the picture."
"I don't think you'd use your influence to try to gain his release," Tess said.
"Yes, I would, Dr. Rand. You would too. When you have children, you will understand."
The phrase knifed through her, but she said nothing.
Tess turned to Mac. The man pressed his lips into a line. "May I ask his name?"
The vice president was quiet for a moment. "Captain Scott Masters—Captain Scott Masters Bacliff."
Mac swore softly, then caught himself. "Excuse me, sirs."
Huffington waved a dismissive hand. "You should have heard what I said."
"This is horrible." Tess struggled to sort her emotions.
"It's horrible when any of our troops are captured." Bacliff's words were soft. "The fact that one of them is my son doesn't make a difference except to me and my family."
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir."
Huffington raised the cup of coffee to his lips, sipped, then set it back on the table. The other cups remained untouched. "Colonel, I need to make this clear. I've already discussed this with the vice president. Your primary mission is the satellite. That must come before rescue."
Tess couldn't believe what she heard, and her face must have telegraphed the fact.
"Dr. Rand, I know how that sounds. How can I put a machine over men? Well, I don't do it lightly and I have my reasons. Military leaders know what it is to send men and women to their deaths, sometimes for something as seemingly unimportant as a strategic hill. If history gets hold of my decision, then I'll be portrayed as a heartless man. I'm not."
"Of course not,
It has been my honor to be of service to you and to our great country.
Respectfully,
Andrew Bacliff
Private citizen
"I don't understand." Tess lowered the letter.
"I do." Mac looked at the president.
"Go on."
Mac turned his gaze to the VP. "The Air Force Spec Ops team?"
Bacliff nodded and although he tried to show no emotion, fear seeped through his expression.
Tess cocked her head. "I've been briefed on the team, and I don't recall reading about any of your family members, sir."
"That's the way it's supposed to be, Dr. Rand. My son and I thought it best to keep his identity a secret. When he entered the military, he changed his last name—well, he didn't really change his name, he just used his mother's maiden name as his last name. Of course, the military knows this. At the time, I was a ranking member of the Armed Services Committee in the Senate. I asked for a favor and received it. Considering the present state of the media in our country, you can understand why I would like to keep that under wraps."
"Yes, sir." Tess understood. Bacliff was one of those politicians who ran for office because he cared so much for his country. The man could have made millions in business, but he chose a life of public service. Such men often brought up children who shared the same level of patriotism.
"My son wanted to be a military man ever since he was eight years old. I figured it would pass, but it didn't. I chose a life of public service, which created problems for him. He didn't want to be just another senator's child in the service, passing time in the States. He wanted to do real military work. You can imagine the problems being my son might present."
Bacliff inhaled deeply. "He wanted no special treatment or protection. He just wanted to serve." Tears welled in his eyes and Tess caught herself looking away.
"He sounds like a brave man." Mac didn't break his gaze.
"He is, Colonel. He is. His mother is in a terrible state."
"I can't even imagine," Tess said.
"You see the problem." Bacliff dabbed at his eyes, unembarrassed by the show of emotion. "If his captors learn of his connection to me, then it will make things even more difficult for all involved. It is reasonable to assume they might use him to get to me. I can't allow that. All I can do is resign. That way, I'm out of the picture."
"I don't think you'd use your influence to try to gain his release," Tess said.
"Yes, I would, Dr. Rand. You would too. When you have children, you will understand."
The phrase knifed through her, but she said nothing.
Tess turned to Mac. The man pressed his lips into a line. "May I ask his name?"
The vice president was quiet for a moment. "Captain Scott Masters—Captain Scott Masters Bacliff."
Mac swore softly, then caught himself. "Excuse me, sirs."
Huffington waved a dismissive hand. "You should have heard what I said."
"This is horrible." Tess struggled to sort her emotions.
"It's horrible when any of our troops are captured." Bacliff's words were soft. "The fact that one of them is my son doesn't make a difference except to me and my family."
"Yes, sir. Of course, sir."
Huffington raised the cup of coffee to his lips, sipped, then set it back on the table. The other cups remained untouched. "Colonel, I need to make this clear. I've already discussed this with the vice president. Your primary mission is the satellite. That must come before rescue."
Tess couldn't believe what she heard, and her face must have telegraphed the fact.
"Dr. Rand, I know how that sounds. How can I put a machine over men? Well, I don't do it lightly and I have my reasons. Military leaders know what it is to send men and women to their deaths, sometimes for something as seemingly unimportant as a strategic hill. If history gets hold of my decision, then I'll be portrayed as a heartless man. I'm not."
"Of course not,
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