Read Online The Term Sheet: A Startup Thriller Novel by Lucas Carlson - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lucas Carlson
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morning?”
“I’m fine. Go pull the financials on Jared and his aunt.”
“Yes, boss.”
Shawn sat at his desk, opened the file and began paging through the papers like Ebenezer Scrooge counting his money. Lost in his own world, Shawn didn’t notice as Senior Director Richard Curtis walked up to his desk. Richard was a tall and stocky man with deep-set wrinkles and a smooth bald head.
Richard knocked on Shawn’s desk. “Shawn, how are you?”
“Sir, I didn’t know you were here today.” Shawn stood up at his desk and started pulling his papers together, trying to neaten up his desk. Though technically Shawn’s boss, Richard was so busy and traveled so much that Shawn only saw him a few times a year in person. Usually at formal events. Never in the office. Richard could usually be found on or near Air Force One.
“Yes, the president wanted me to check on you. How is the concussion healing?”
“I’m fine, sir. You didn’t need to come by just to check on me.”
“I also came to give you some advice. Don’t meddle in the investigation that the joint task force is running. This is the largest terrorist attack since 9/11 and the president is in a very precarious position with public opinion right now. We need this investigation to run its course. Can you play ball?”
“With all due respect, this attack goes much deeper than the president’s polling numbers. People were hurt. My own people died. And this could have been prevented if others had listened to me in the first place.”
“We did listen to you, Shawn. Maybe not enough, but that’s water under the bridge now. It’s out of our hands. I need you to step away. This needs to be a clean investigation.”
Richard’s presence grew more and more imposing.
“The FBI has no idea what they’re doing. I have been onto this guy for a year now. Do you know how many times they’ve asked me to help in the investigation? Zero. None. One measly Senate interview. Not a single investigator has come to ask me about my research into the ashcat or the email trail.”
“Shawn, they have all your reports and transcripts. I assure you they’re going over every lead. They will interview you soon if and when they need to. I just need your word that you won’t meddle. You can’t run your own investigation. I need you coordinating travel. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I’ll send the president your regards.”
Richard turned away and started walking, but Shawn called over.
“Sir, one more question. Can I ask what the FBI has found so far?”
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
“Do they have any leads though?”
Richard shrugged. I knew it, said Shawn to himself under his breath.
“What’s that?”
“Safe travels, sir.”
Richard continued to walk away. When he turned the corner, Shawn’s fists slammed on the desk, pushing all the papers to the floor. Brandon came over and started to pick up the papers.
“Who was that?” Brandon asked.
“My boss.”
“No wonder you don’t like me calling you sir.”
Chapter 12
“ B ig day , huh?” said Belinda. She rolled lazily to her side so she could see Heather lying across the room. The nurses hadn’t come around to help Belinda get dressed yet. Heather could dress herself, but never liked to do it until Belinda was dressed first. Lately, though, Heather didn’t mind the extra minutes in bed.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen my brother in a while. I bet his beard has grown a lot.”
“He has a beard now?” asked Belinda. “Yuck. I don’t understand why guys grow beards. Doesn’t stuff get stuck in there when they eat?”
“I know, right?” said Heather.
“I bet he still looks hot though. I’d still do him.”
“Shut up.”
“You excited?”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Heather. “I mean yes, but seeing people is such a hassle lately.”
“Hey, I’d be happy if I just had as many visitors as you. What’s up with you? You don’t sound like your Happy
“I’m fine. Go pull the financials on Jared and his aunt.”
“Yes, boss.”
Shawn sat at his desk, opened the file and began paging through the papers like Ebenezer Scrooge counting his money. Lost in his own world, Shawn didn’t notice as Senior Director Richard Curtis walked up to his desk. Richard was a tall and stocky man with deep-set wrinkles and a smooth bald head.
Richard knocked on Shawn’s desk. “Shawn, how are you?”
“Sir, I didn’t know you were here today.” Shawn stood up at his desk and started pulling his papers together, trying to neaten up his desk. Though technically Shawn’s boss, Richard was so busy and traveled so much that Shawn only saw him a few times a year in person. Usually at formal events. Never in the office. Richard could usually be found on or near Air Force One.
“Yes, the president wanted me to check on you. How is the concussion healing?”
“I’m fine, sir. You didn’t need to come by just to check on me.”
“I also came to give you some advice. Don’t meddle in the investigation that the joint task force is running. This is the largest terrorist attack since 9/11 and the president is in a very precarious position with public opinion right now. We need this investigation to run its course. Can you play ball?”
“With all due respect, this attack goes much deeper than the president’s polling numbers. People were hurt. My own people died. And this could have been prevented if others had listened to me in the first place.”
“We did listen to you, Shawn. Maybe not enough, but that’s water under the bridge now. It’s out of our hands. I need you to step away. This needs to be a clean investigation.”
Richard’s presence grew more and more imposing.
“The FBI has no idea what they’re doing. I have been onto this guy for a year now. Do you know how many times they’ve asked me to help in the investigation? Zero. None. One measly Senate interview. Not a single investigator has come to ask me about my research into the ashcat or the email trail.”
“Shawn, they have all your reports and transcripts. I assure you they’re going over every lead. They will interview you soon if and when they need to. I just need your word that you won’t meddle. You can’t run your own investigation. I need you coordinating travel. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. I’ll send the president your regards.”
Richard turned away and started walking, but Shawn called over.
“Sir, one more question. Can I ask what the FBI has found so far?”
“You know I can’t tell you that.”
“Do they have any leads though?”
Richard shrugged. I knew it, said Shawn to himself under his breath.
“What’s that?”
“Safe travels, sir.”
Richard continued to walk away. When he turned the corner, Shawn’s fists slammed on the desk, pushing all the papers to the floor. Brandon came over and started to pick up the papers.
“Who was that?” Brandon asked.
“My boss.”
“No wonder you don’t like me calling you sir.”
Chapter 12
“ B ig day , huh?” said Belinda. She rolled lazily to her side so she could see Heather lying across the room. The nurses hadn’t come around to help Belinda get dressed yet. Heather could dress herself, but never liked to do it until Belinda was dressed first. Lately, though, Heather didn’t mind the extra minutes in bed.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen my brother in a while. I bet his beard has grown a lot.”
“He has a beard now?” asked Belinda. “Yuck. I don’t understand why guys grow beards. Doesn’t stuff get stuck in there when they eat?”
“I know, right?” said Heather.
“I bet he still looks hot though. I’d still do him.”
“Shut up.”
“You excited?”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Heather. “I mean yes, but seeing people is such a hassle lately.”
“Hey, I’d be happy if I just had as many visitors as you. What’s up with you? You don’t sound like your Happy
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