TORMENT Read Online Free Page A

in the Oval Office. Kennedy had nothing on him. Penny put Jackie-O and Marylyn to shame. Speculation about how such an average looking man landed such a catch ranged from extortion to true love, but the truth was somewhere in between. He loved sex, and she loved money and power. They provided for each other. His looks were not an issue and hers were perfect.
    “You’re off to the shops again, today?” he asked.
    “Well, you won’t find me slurping eggs Benedict with a couple of old guys and some kid.” She headed for the door. “I’ll be back for our critical meeting after lunch.”
    Collins smiled. Today is going to be a good day , he thought. “Love you, babe,” he said as she left the office.
    “Right back at you, Mr. President,” she replied in her best, breathy Monroe impression. She straightened suddenly and smiled. “Hello, Tom.”
    Austin nodded to Penny as he held the door and let her pass. He entered the office as she left and closed the door behind him.
    “You’re a lucky man, Mr. President,” Austin said.
    “Tell that to my bank account,” Collins said as he sat behind the desk. He opened the desk drawer, took out the cigar Penny had been holding and smelled it. “Damn perfume.” He tossed the cigar into the small trash bin next to the desk. “What’s up?”
    As Austin approached the desk, Collins noticed the manila folder in his hand.
    “I went over the guest list for this afternoon,” Austin said.
    “And?”
    “And this.” Austin opened the manila folder and pulled out a black and white photo of a thirty-something, dark eyed woman with straight black hair and a pleasant smile. “This is the family member accompanying the girl who won the essay contest.”
    “What’s her name? The girl’s? Leslie or something?”
    “Elizabeth.”
    “Right. Elizabeth.” Collins wrote the name down on a piece of paper and slipped it into his pocket. “Go on.”
    “The woman is Elizabeth’s aunt, Mia Durante.”
    Austin paused.
    “Doesn’t ring a bell,” Collins said. “Should it?”
    “Not at all. But if she’d been married to her fiancé, her last name would have been Brenton.”
    Collins sat up straight. “His fiancé ?”
    Austin shifted his weight.
    “What is it?” Collins asked. “Don’t tell me there’s more.”
    “She’s a reporter. Small town, but still, a reporter.”
    “Son-of-a-bitch,” Collins whispered. “I’ll have to cancel.”
    “They’re already here. Stephanie is giving them a private tour along with the medal recipient and his brother.”
    Collins pursed his lips. “Just keep her away from me. Don’t tackle her or anything. Just make sure she doesn’t raise her voice or make a scene. If she starts asking questions, conjure up some emergency to get me out of there.”
    “An emergency?”
    “You’ll think of something,” Collins said with a smile. His day had gone to crap in a matter of minutes, but it could still be salvaged. Austin was on the job. He’d take care of Durante if she became a problem.

5
     
    Washington D.C.
     
    Major Paul Byers followed the group closely, taking in faces, voices and mannerisms. It had become a habit during his time in the U.S Marine Corps. He’d spent all of 1971 and part of ’73 in the jungles of Vietnam. He became adept at learning who he could and couldn’t trust with his life by watching them, scrutinizing every move, twitch and grunt. As a result, he’d survived the war with only a few physical scars to show for it. He’d even managed to pull a few of his friends out of harm’s way. Now, thirty-seven years late, his actions during a botched raid on a Viet-Cong camp had earned him a trip to the White House. He didn’t feel he deserved a medal, let alone the Medal of Honor, but he knew that made him even more deserving in the eyes of those bestowing it. Still, it was nice to be recognized for what he gave to his country...if only they would give out a few hundred thousand more. In his mind, every man and