Presidential Shift - Episode 1 Read Online Free Page B

president nodded. “I figured unleashing a
couple Marines might do some much needed feather-ruffling.”
    “Thank you for coming,” she told Cal and
Daniel. “Now if you’ll please excuse me, I think I need to take a
little nap.”
    “I’ll be out in a minute, guys,” said the
president.
    Cal and Daniel stepped out of room and waited
patiently for the Commander in Chief to emerge. It didn’t take more
than a minute before he stepped out.
    Motioning to the two friends, he guided them
to another patient room that was empty. Daniel closed the door
behind them.
    “What did you find?” The president asked.
    Cal relayed the same information they’d given
Senator Zimmer. The president grimaced.
    “You really think it’s possible for someone
to sneak a warhead into the most controlled airspace we have?”
    “That’s what we think, sir,” replied Cal.
“I’m sure the Secret Service is keeping you in the loop. They’ll
know for certain soon.”
    Nodding, the president paced the length of
the room.
    “This doesn’t change what we talked about
this morning, gentlemen. I was dead serious about exposing the
crooks in this town.”
    “I understand, Mr. President. I’ve got our
people digging as we speak. Have you thought about how you’re going
to handle the politicians we uncover?”
    “I promised you that I’m all-in. Once they’re
exposed, the law will do the rest.”
    “Fair enough.”
    “Is there anything you need from me?” asked
the president.
    “I think we’ve got everything we need. One
last thing, sir. I don’t think we should be seen with you from here
on out. You’re already taking a chance of having this land in your
lap. I don’t want to give the enemy any more ammunition.”
    “How will I know if your investigation is
progressing?”
    Cal smirked. “Just keep checking the news,
sir.”

    +++

    Two men left the dilapidated tenement through
the back door. As if on cue, a muffled boom sounded and a fire
quickly engulfed the house. The multiple incendiary devices they’d
installed were doing their job well. It would take the authorities
a while to identify the bodies inside. That was if they even took
the time to do DNA testing on the deceased. What was two more dead
bodies in a crack house?

Chapter 6
SSI Headquarters II, Camp Cavalier,
Charlottesville, VA
    6:32am, December
16 th

    Cal and Daniel had driven back to
Charlottesville the night before. They could’ve flown in one of
SSI’s private jets, but Cal wanted the time in the car to
think.
    They woke early and headed to Neil Patel’s
office to see what kind of progress the computer genius had
made.
    The Marines found their friend scrolling and
clicking through gibberish-looking computer screens. Neil looked up
from his work as they entered.
    “I was wondering when you two would be
visiting me. Did you bring any coffee?”
    Cal held up a large to-go coffee mug he’d
grabbed from the compound’s mess hall.
    “Three creams and four sugars. I don’t know
how you drink that, Neil.”
    “What can I say? I like it sweet.”
    Neil shifted around in his chair to grab the
coffee.
    “How’s the leg doing?” asked Daniel, pointing
down to Neil’s prosthetic limb.
    “Better now. I think this last adjustment did
it.” Neil sipped his coffee and swiveled back to his terminals.
“I’ve got something for you, Cal.”
    Cal looked over his friends shoulder eagerly.
“What did you find?”
    Neil laughed. “This was almost too easy.
Hacking into politicians’ email accounts was a snap. I’ve got some
juicy stuff and I’ll probably have audio and video soon too.”
    “How the hell are you getting audio and
video?”
    “A couple ways. You’d be surprised how many
of these people record their conversations. They’re probably
thinking about using them as insurance in case things go south with
their contacts. Unfortunately for them, if they’re accessed, we can
use it against them. The way I’m getting video is through public
and