Presidential Shift - Episode 1 Read Online Free Page A

the plan? Does he still want us
doing what we talked about earlier?” asked Cal.
    “Let’s assume that he does. The attack
doesn’t really change anything. What do you need from me?”
    Cal stared at the ground for a beat. “I want
to make sure we’re all on the same page. You know how we operate,
Brandon. When I find out who’s been playing around with government
money, we’re on full assault. Nobody is safe. I’m not sure the
president gets that.”
    “I think he does, Cal. You heard what he
said. Remember how I used to be before our trip to Vegas?”
    Cal knew what the senator meant. Zimmer had
been a self-absorbed and naïve politico before being blackmailed by
a secret group of Japanese imperialists. He’d experienced a rude
awakening in the aftermath.
    “What if this comes back to him? Worse, what
if it comes back to you?” asked Cal.
    “I think I’m too new to have many skeletons.
Besides, you guys know the worst of it. As for the president,
that’s his call. If the trail leads back to him, I think he’ll own
up to it.”
    Zimmer noticed the glower on his friend’s
face.
    “If he tries to back out of it, I’ll stand
with you, Cal. I promise.”
    The two men stared at each other. Finally,
Cal rolled his eyes and exhaled.
    “I’ll assume that’s a yes?” asked
Brandon.
    “As long as you’re the glue that binds us to
the president.”
    They all shook hands and spent five more
minutes outlining their plan.

    +++

    The man in the Redskins cap cowered in the
corner of the dingy crack house.
    “I did just what you told me to do!” he
pleaded. “It’s not my fault she made it.”
    Two men stood over him. One held a large
caliber revolver pointed straight at the unfortunate underling.
    “You and your partner said this should’ve
been easy. Don’t worry, we’ll be talking to your buddy soon enough.
He’s on his way here now.”
    “But…but he won’t be able to tell you
anything different. That warhead was made to your exact
specifications. It should have killed everyone in the gallery.”
    “Well it didn’t and now I have to tell my
boss that someone fucked up. You think I should tell him that I fucked up? I don’t think so.”
    Without warning, he nudged his companion. His
associate depressed the trigger and the bullet exited just
underneath the Redskins cap a split second later.
    “You want me to put him somewhere?” the man
with the gun asked.
    “Just leave him there.”
    The sound of a car pulling into the dirt
drive crept into the house.
    “Let’s go take care of the other guy.”

Chapter 5
Washington, D.C.
    3:49pm, December
15 th

    Before they could leave the White House, an
intern found them. The president wanted to see them before they
left town.
    “I have a car waiting for you, gentlemen. It
will take you over to the hospital.”
    Cal looked at Daniel resignedly.
    “Lead on,” said Cal.
    They were both surprised to see a four
vehicle motorcade waiting for them.
    “I thought you said a car was waiting for
us.”
    “This’ll get you through the traffic,” said
the intern, who then turned and headed back into the White
House.

    +++

    They arrived at MedStar Washington Hospital
Center soon after. The Marines followed their new security detail
through the various checkpoints manned by Secret Service and Marine
sentries.
    “You ever seen anything like this?” Cal
muttered to Daniel.
    “No way.”
    There were no less than thirty security
personnel on the floor holding the first lady. The president was
alone with his wife as they walked in. He looked up from the
conversation.
    “Cal, Daniel, you haven’t met the first lady,
have you?” His eyes were just barely tinged with red. Minus the
loosened tie, he still looked the power part.
    “No, sir,” answered Cal. “Pleasure to meet
you, ma’am.”
    “Are these the gentlemen you have helping you
with your little project, honey?” The first lady’s face looked
drawn, and yet her eyes still burned with confidence.
    The