Read Online Holding Their Own IV: The Ascent by Joe Nobody - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Joe Nobody
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to go see the colonel, deliver an answer to General Westfield’s offer, and spend a little one-on-one time with my wife. I’d say I’ve already got all kinds of opportunity for failure lined up for today, I don’t need another task to increase my odds.”
Agent Powell grunted, “I’ve seen your wife pissed. I know where I’d concentrate my energies.” Powell cleared his throat, “Speaking of Terri, I’ve been rolling around an idea and wanted to bounce it off you.”
The mention of his wife caused Bishop to stiffen in his seat. “Go on.”
“You and Terri were the last two people to be with the president before his death. If the president recognized any of the conspirators, he might have said something to you or your wife.”
Bishop shook his head, “How many times are you going to ask me this question, Agent Powell? He didn’t say anything to me, and I think Terri would’ve mentioned something before now. Why don’t you stop by and ask her? During the depositions you guys took, I testified to everything I could remember. I’m pretty sure Terri did as well.”
Powell chuckled and gave Bishop a mischievous look. “Oh, I believe you. I don’t think the prez said a word to either of you. Given what we found at the scene of the assassination attempt, I believe his only thought was about his next breath. The chances of his figuring out one of his protection detail was on the wrong side are slim. No, what I’m thinking is to spread a rumor that Terri saw something. Get the word around, and then see who shows interest in the subject.”
“No fucking way!” Bishop tensed, his voice dropping to a steely whisper. “You want to tether a pregnant woman to a stake, out in the open, and see what kind of carnivore comes along to eat her? Are you sick? Over my dead body, Agent Powell .”
Powell had anticipated a reaction, but was still amazed. The animalistic ferocity of the man sitting beside him was impressive. The agent had been around his share of well-trained men, professionals who were high-speed couriers of violence. But Bishop was different, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
“Now, Bishop. Don’t go getting your panties in a testosterone-induced wad. I wouldn’t want to put you or your lovely wife in danger. We’d protect you. You know, we’re pretty good at that.”
Bishop glared, “How’s that all-mighty protection been working out lately?”
The remark stung. Powell had lost his President and had been struggling with the emotional ramifications ever since. It was his only professional failure, and it troubled him deeply. The only possible cure was to discover the turncoat on the inside. He could live with himself if that were determined. He could sleep a little better if he caught and punished the traitor.
“Bishop, we have to know if someone on the inside played a role in all this. We can’t have a rogue individual threatening our next president. He’s going to be busy enough without having to look over his shoulder all the time. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this. Besides, I would think you, of all people, would grab at the opportunity to clear your name, if not your conscience.”
“Look, I understand that your job is to protect the new guy coming in. Believe me, I do. But you’re going to have to figure out another way. Terri and I did our part—or at least we tried. It didn’t work out so well, did it? Find another way, sir. Leave us out of it. Besides, if Terri found out I agreed to something like that, I’d be the one needing your protection.”
Both men laughed and then fell silent. The Secret Service agent pulled the shifter into drive, indicating the conversation was over. “See ya later, Bishop.”
“Later.”
After exiting the SUV, Bishop strolled through the bleak lobby and down the hall toward room #11. He was a few feet away when the sounds of a commotion coming from the room reached his ears. Someone is hurting Terri , rushed through his
Agent Powell grunted, “I’ve seen your wife pissed. I know where I’d concentrate my energies.” Powell cleared his throat, “Speaking of Terri, I’ve been rolling around an idea and wanted to bounce it off you.”
The mention of his wife caused Bishop to stiffen in his seat. “Go on.”
“You and Terri were the last two people to be with the president before his death. If the president recognized any of the conspirators, he might have said something to you or your wife.”
Bishop shook his head, “How many times are you going to ask me this question, Agent Powell? He didn’t say anything to me, and I think Terri would’ve mentioned something before now. Why don’t you stop by and ask her? During the depositions you guys took, I testified to everything I could remember. I’m pretty sure Terri did as well.”
Powell chuckled and gave Bishop a mischievous look. “Oh, I believe you. I don’t think the prez said a word to either of you. Given what we found at the scene of the assassination attempt, I believe his only thought was about his next breath. The chances of his figuring out one of his protection detail was on the wrong side are slim. No, what I’m thinking is to spread a rumor that Terri saw something. Get the word around, and then see who shows interest in the subject.”
“No fucking way!” Bishop tensed, his voice dropping to a steely whisper. “You want to tether a pregnant woman to a stake, out in the open, and see what kind of carnivore comes along to eat her? Are you sick? Over my dead body, Agent Powell .”
Powell had anticipated a reaction, but was still amazed. The animalistic ferocity of the man sitting beside him was impressive. The agent had been around his share of well-trained men, professionals who were high-speed couriers of violence. But Bishop was different, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.
“Now, Bishop. Don’t go getting your panties in a testosterone-induced wad. I wouldn’t want to put you or your lovely wife in danger. We’d protect you. You know, we’re pretty good at that.”
Bishop glared, “How’s that all-mighty protection been working out lately?”
The remark stung. Powell had lost his President and had been struggling with the emotional ramifications ever since. It was his only professional failure, and it troubled him deeply. The only possible cure was to discover the turncoat on the inside. He could live with himself if that were determined. He could sleep a little better if he caught and punished the traitor.
“Bishop, we have to know if someone on the inside played a role in all this. We can’t have a rogue individual threatening our next president. He’s going to be busy enough without having to look over his shoulder all the time. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this. Besides, I would think you, of all people, would grab at the opportunity to clear your name, if not your conscience.”
“Look, I understand that your job is to protect the new guy coming in. Believe me, I do. But you’re going to have to figure out another way. Terri and I did our part—or at least we tried. It didn’t work out so well, did it? Find another way, sir. Leave us out of it. Besides, if Terri found out I agreed to something like that, I’d be the one needing your protection.”
Both men laughed and then fell silent. The Secret Service agent pulled the shifter into drive, indicating the conversation was over. “See ya later, Bishop.”
“Later.”
After exiting the SUV, Bishop strolled through the bleak lobby and down the hall toward room #11. He was a few feet away when the sounds of a commotion coming from the room reached his ears. Someone is hurting Terri , rushed through his
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