Cobra Clearance Read Online Free

provide food for his family, so he studied law at Harvard and built a thriving practice in Bethesda, Maryland. But he yearned for the old days, and when additional assets were required in the wake of 9/11, Baker created Vanguard International as a side venture. He organized a dozen eight-person teams similar to Special Forces alpha teams. They often deployed for weeks or even months at a time, then returned to their homes and families across the United States until summoned for another mission.
    At first the teams performed surveillance, personal protection, and a variety of other tasks for private clients, but the Iraq and Afghanistan efforts now provided the principal contracts. Although some of Baker’s competitors attracted media scrutiny, his outfit remained off the grid. He drafted Joe Tucker from Seal Team Four and put him in charge of Dragon Team. Tucker in turn had recruited Levi Hart as his assistant team leader, after Levi saved his hide outside Baghdad’s Green Zone one night.
    A moment later the agent ushered Baker into the Oval Office. The off-white room had a new navy blue rug and President Mark Cohen sat at his desk. The clouds parted as if on cue, so that a soft yellow light shone through the large window behind him. He stood and marched forward with outstretched hand. “Heath! How are you, my friend?”
    Baker thought the tall, lean man in the dark suit hadn’t been this clear-eyed and vital since the death of his son. “Good morning, Mr. President.”
    Cohen allowed himself a little smile as they shook hands. “You were my mentor in ’Nam and you saved my bacon on any numberof occasions. We won’t stand on ceremony.” He tightened his grip on Baker’s hand, then turned grim. “I’m here by succession, not choice.”
    â€œI thought as much, Mr. President. But…”
    â€œBut you’ll tell me I can handle it?” He released Baker’s hand and switched gears. “My schedule’s tight so here we go. Our constitutional republic as it currently exists is in dire straits. Economically, socially, militarily. Our troops are barely home from Iraq, and I’m not about to start a new war to go after an assassin. It could only end in disaster.” Cohen held his arms akimbo, his old cue that he wanted feedback.
    Baker made a fist. “Failing to deal with the assassins would be a greater disaster. We must hit them in a manner that will deter others.”
    â€œThat’s why I signed off on your mission, and now that you work for me believe this—I’ve got your back.” He held a palm against his heart. “I’ll brook no criticism of any actions you might be forced to take—the buck truly stops with me.” He worried the end of his nose. “Some of what your people will be asked to do could be distasteful, even repugnant. To that end, I ask that you remember your mission.” He made eye contact with Baker.
    â€œThank you for your confidence in us.”
    The muscles in the president’s face relaxed. “We have only a few moments. I also asked you here to thank you once more for all you’ve done in the past, but most of all for your friendship.” He frowned. “It’s a terrible world we live in if we choose to see it that way. But I know you. You see problems as I do—as challenges to be resolved. With humanity if possible, but…” He paused. “Sadly, some resolutions require great peril. If it were up to me I’d send a personal communiqué to the brutes that killed Melchior, and confront them with my old Garand. I wish I could.”
    â€œI know you would, Mr. President.” As the two friends shook hands Baker said, “Your son would be so proud of you.” Then he left for Fannex.
    TUCKER TOOK THE EXIT FOR BWI and drove past a string of motels, fast food joints, and office buildings before he found the industrial park. He braked to a stop at