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Authors: C. G. Cooper
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wait.
“What do you think’s going on?” asked Daniel.
“I don’t know, but did you see the extra security?”
Daniel nodded. He’d noted the beefed up presence as soon as they’d stepped out of the taxi.
Travis stepped into the small office. He looked like he needed a shower. “Thanks for coming, guys. You know I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important.”
“What’s going on?” asked Cal.
“Early this morning, Russia made a play for Lithuania, much like they did with Crimea.”
“I don’t get it. What’s that have to do with us?”
“It doesn’t, but the next part does. Senator Southgate called the President shortly after midnight and asked him point blank about his ongoing relationship with SSI.”
“And what did Brandon say?”
“He told him that we’d all met through his predecessor and that we provided him with security a couple of times.”
“I’ll say again, I don’t see what this has to do with us.”
Travis exhaled. “Southgate says an anonymous source has informed him that SSI is involved in illegal operations on U.S. soil.”
“What? Where the hell did he get that from?”
“I don’t know, but the President is pissed.”
“Trav, you know as well as I do that there isn’t a shred of proof anyone can produce.”
“It doesn’t matter. Southgate doesn’t like us, and he sure as hell doesn’t want the President anywhere near us.”
Cal held back his I told you so . “Is there a point to this? Because I think we can still get on a flight before noon.”
“You’re not getting on any planes today, Cal. Now will you shut up for one second so I can speak?”
Cal nodded.
“The worst part is that someone is accusing you and Daniel of being accomplices in Congressman Peter Quailen’s murder.”
“Who the hell said that?”
“Southgate didn’t say. He’s giving the President until the close of business to tell him everything.”
“Or what?”
“Or he’ll request a special of investigation of the President.”
“Can he do that?”
“It’s been done for much less.”
“So Brandon could get a black eye for knowing us. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Travis crossed his arms. “Southgate didn’t come right out and say it, but Zimmer was pretty sure that the senator was alluding to impeachment.”
Chapter 16
Springfield, Virginia
8:50 a.m., March 5 th
Steve Stricklin took his time getting ready, massaging his post-workout sore muscles with a mixture of baby oil and rub-in tanner. His mother had already picked up his suit from the dry cleaner’s, along with a new tie. He’d told her he had a job interview. She couldn’t have been happier, especially after the FBI had so mistreated her poor Stevie, or so she thought.
Just as Congressman McKnight promised, someone had been more than happy to listen to the highlights of his incredible story. The person was so eager, in fact, that he’d even invited Stricklin to brunch at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
Three months earlier, he couldn’t have imagined rubbing elbows with some of the most powerful men in the country. Gone were the days of running down Internal Affairs investigations in crappy little towns across the southeast. Stricklin imagined what his life would be like in three more months. A cozy new job? Television interviews? Maybe even a book deal?
The thought made him smile as he took his time forming the perfect knot in his tie. It was an important day. It wouldn’t do to look anything but sharp.
+++
The White House
The smell of coffee was strong, like a preparation for an all-nighter.
“No, Mr. President, I have not yet gotten a response from the Russians.” Secretary of State Dryburgh flicked a piece of lint from his knee and then returned the president’s gaze.
“Do I need to get on the phone with their president?”
“I think we should wait, sir.”
“The longer we wait, the sooner the media will get a hold of
“What do you think’s going on?” asked Daniel.
“I don’t know, but did you see the extra security?”
Daniel nodded. He’d noted the beefed up presence as soon as they’d stepped out of the taxi.
Travis stepped into the small office. He looked like he needed a shower. “Thanks for coming, guys. You know I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important.”
“What’s going on?” asked Cal.
“Early this morning, Russia made a play for Lithuania, much like they did with Crimea.”
“I don’t get it. What’s that have to do with us?”
“It doesn’t, but the next part does. Senator Southgate called the President shortly after midnight and asked him point blank about his ongoing relationship with SSI.”
“And what did Brandon say?”
“He told him that we’d all met through his predecessor and that we provided him with security a couple of times.”
“I’ll say again, I don’t see what this has to do with us.”
Travis exhaled. “Southgate says an anonymous source has informed him that SSI is involved in illegal operations on U.S. soil.”
“What? Where the hell did he get that from?”
“I don’t know, but the President is pissed.”
“Trav, you know as well as I do that there isn’t a shred of proof anyone can produce.”
“It doesn’t matter. Southgate doesn’t like us, and he sure as hell doesn’t want the President anywhere near us.”
Cal held back his I told you so . “Is there a point to this? Because I think we can still get on a flight before noon.”
“You’re not getting on any planes today, Cal. Now will you shut up for one second so I can speak?”
Cal nodded.
“The worst part is that someone is accusing you and Daniel of being accomplices in Congressman Peter Quailen’s murder.”
“Who the hell said that?”
“Southgate didn’t say. He’s giving the President until the close of business to tell him everything.”
“Or what?”
“Or he’ll request a special of investigation of the President.”
“Can he do that?”
“It’s been done for much less.”
“So Brandon could get a black eye for knowing us. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Travis crossed his arms. “Southgate didn’t come right out and say it, but Zimmer was pretty sure that the senator was alluding to impeachment.”
Chapter 16
Springfield, Virginia
8:50 a.m., March 5 th
Steve Stricklin took his time getting ready, massaging his post-workout sore muscles with a mixture of baby oil and rub-in tanner. His mother had already picked up his suit from the dry cleaner’s, along with a new tie. He’d told her he had a job interview. She couldn’t have been happier, especially after the FBI had so mistreated her poor Stevie, or so she thought.
Just as Congressman McKnight promised, someone had been more than happy to listen to the highlights of his incredible story. The person was so eager, in fact, that he’d even invited Stricklin to brunch at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
Three months earlier, he couldn’t have imagined rubbing elbows with some of the most powerful men in the country. Gone were the days of running down Internal Affairs investigations in crappy little towns across the southeast. Stricklin imagined what his life would be like in three more months. A cozy new job? Television interviews? Maybe even a book deal?
The thought made him smile as he took his time forming the perfect knot in his tie. It was an important day. It wouldn’t do to look anything but sharp.
+++
The White House
The smell of coffee was strong, like a preparation for an all-nighter.
“No, Mr. President, I have not yet gotten a response from the Russians.” Secretary of State Dryburgh flicked a piece of lint from his knee and then returned the president’s gaze.
“Do I need to get on the phone with their president?”
“I think we should wait, sir.”
“The longer we wait, the sooner the media will get a hold of
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