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examiner Dr. Higgins for advice on how to handle the FBI agent. A former lead CIA interrogator and psychiatrist, the portly doctor was the best Cal had ever met. That was saying a lot considering Cal’s usual distrust for ‘non-medical’ doctors.
    Finished with his perusal, Cal stowed his laptop and hurried to get ready for bed. He was sure that one way or another, the next day would be interesting.

Chapter 12
    Orange Beach, Alabama
    6:03am, December 18 th
    “Don’t worry, honey, I’ll be fine. Yes, Jerry says everything’s taken care of.” The first lady paused to listen to her husband’s third protest and nodded to the head of her protection detail. “I told you, I’m not going to let these murderers stop me from helping the American people. Aren’t you the one always saying that we should continue living our lives despite attacks?” She smiled at the president’s reply.
    “I love you too. Don’t worry, I’ll get you and the girls a couple autographs. We’ll call after the event. Bye, honey.”
    The first lady put down the secure phone and looked up at her security detail. There were four male and one female Secret Service agents waiting patiently.
    “Everything okay, ma’am?” Jerry Laskin, the head of her detail, asked. He’d been with her for three years and they’d developed a good working relationship.
    “Just fine, Jerry. You know the president, always worried about me.”
    “I think this time he has reason to be worried,” said Jerry, pointing down at the hot pink bandage on the first lady’s leg.
    “For the last time, I’m fine.” The slightest hint of annoyance crossed her face, but was instantaneously covered by her signature smile. “Is everything ready?”
    “Yes, ma’am. We’ve got the extra teams doing another sweep and the supplemental x-ray machines just arrived. I’m about to run over and take a look at them.”
    “What about the crowd? Is there a line yet?”
    “Around the block. The local PD has the sidewalks roped off.”
    “Good. I don’t want anyone getting run over. Please do everything you can to ensure the event runs smoothly.” It wasn’t a request. It was an order.
    The first lady walked back into the hotel bedroom to finish getting ready.
    “You two stay here,” Laskin said to the bald male agent and the gruff female agent. “I’ll be back before she leaves.” He pointed to where the first lady had disappeared.
    As the eighteen-year Secret Service veteran left the room, he said a silent prayer that the concert go off without a hitch. He’d been off-duty the day of the attack at the Air and Space Museum. He wasn’t going to be farther than ten feet from the first lady anytime she stepped in public for as long as he was in charge.
    +++
    6:00am
    Cal and Daniel left the hotel in a cab, not wanting to have the hassle of finding parking. Worst case they could walk back. It was something they’d done plenty of times in the Corps.
    The driver dropped them off two blocks from the amphitheater. Four minutes later they checked in with the Secret Service agent manning a side gate. It didn’t hurt that they were on the list. After putting on their lanyards holding their all-access security badges, the two Marines entered the venue and began their inspection.
    +++
    6:51am
    “You ready, Mikey?” The man in a fluorescent blue tank top with a sailfish on the front asked his companion.
    “Yeah.” The other man, wearing a pair of board shorts and a white t-shirt that said, ‘Redneck & Proud,’ rubbed his stomach like it was bothering him. “Let me take another shit before we start walkin’.”
    “Fuck. That’s yer third one this mornin’. What’s wrong with you?”
    “Don’t know. I’ll be right back.”
    After a fair bit of groaning, and another flush, Mikey emerged.
    “You light a match?”
    “Shut up. Let’s go.” The man’s face was drawn and pale. Sweat beaded heavily on his brow.
    “You don’t look so good.”
    “I said shut up.”
    The