Presidential Shift (8 page)

United States Naval Observatory,
U.S. Vice President’s Residence

9:30pm, December 18
^th

“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Cal.

Vice President Brandon Zimmer exhaled. “He asked me right after he saw you at the airport. Came straight to my office.”

“I can’t believe you said yes.”

Zimmer’s eyes flashed. “What else should I have done? He said he needed my help.”

Cal shook his head. “I don’t know. Sounds like you really stepped in this time, Mister Vice President.”

Zimmer settled. “Tell me about it.”

“I know you’re busy, but I wanted to ask you about the attacks. What are your thoughts?”

“I don’t know. Other than killing my predecessor and trying to kill the first lady, I’m having a hard time coming up with a possible motive,” said Zimmer. “Have you found anything?”

“Zip. Neil’s got our full resources behind it. Nothing so far.”

Both men sat silent for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Cal broke the spell. “What’s it like being the vice president and not being married?”

Zimmer grinned. “Ask me again in a couple weeks.”

“Any plans yet? Do they have you traveling the world on parade?”

“Not yet. I told the president I wanted to get settled. Besides, I have no idea what’s going on inside the administration. It’ll take time to learn the personalities and the inner workings.”

“Sounds like the time they made me a squad leader as a Lance Corporal, except, of course, that you’re the new vice president of United States and I was making sure my Marines didn’t get in fights at the Driftwood.”

“What’s the Driftwood?” asked Zimmer.

Cal laughed. “It’s a strip club outside Camp Lejeune. Really classy. Remind me to take you there sometime.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll pass.” The vice president’s face turned serious. “On another note, the president wants me to oversee the operation…”

“Operation Pest Control,” offered Cal.

“That’s what you called it?”

Cal shrugged. “Seemed fitting.”

Zimmer shook his head, still getting used to the Marine’s sense of humor. “Anyway, the president wanted me to support you in any way I can. I’m not sure I’ll be of much help yet, but at least he won’t have to be directly involved. I’ll update him as needed.”

That sounded good to Cal. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the president, but dealing with Zimmer would be easier. They’d forged their friendship against common enemies, and understood each other’s strengths. “Okay. The biggest thing you can do for us is make sure the word doesn’t get out. Washington is full of leaks, and if word of what we’re doing gets around…”

The thought hung in the air, a warning for both men to tread carefully.

“Tell me what your next move is and I’ll figure out a way to help.”

+++

“Like I said, I want this all over the news. I’ve got my people contacting friends up there. You just do your job and the media will think you’re a hero.”

“You sure the feds are gonna support this?”

“After they see what I’ve got, hell yes.”

“I don’t want to look like an idiot. You’ll tell me if anything changes?”

“Of course. Hey, did you pick a week to stay at my place in Key West? It’ll be open all February.”

“Yeah. The second week would be perfect. Thanks for that.”

“No problem. Any time.”

Congressman Peter Quailen clicked off the call and smiled. Things were falling into place.

+++

Agent Steve Stricklin sat nursing his splitting headache with a frozen daiquiri. He wasn’t much for hard alcohol, but needed something to soothe the pain before the meds kicked in.

Earlier, he’d gotten a royal ass-chewing from his boss, who’d found out that Stricklin had not been at the bombing site when the explosion occurred.

Thank God
, Stricklin had thought, as his boss railed on about having an FBI presence available. Stricklin explained how he’d left to follow a lead and narrowly missed becoming one of the bombing victims. “I was right next to where the guy was standing,” Stricklin lied. He’d been farther away than Cal.

It was a new politically correct FBI, and Stricklin’s boss relented. “Fine. Just make sure you’re around to help out if you’re needed.”

Stricklin pressed the oversized margarita glass against his forehead. The pieces were coming back. The only explanation of how he’d ended up on the ground was that one of the Marines had sucker punched him. Ideas flitted into his stream of conscious. A plan formed as he swirled the slush in his glass and stared at the young bartender with the cut-off jeans. Stokes and his friends would pay.

Camp Spartan, Arrington, TN

5:52am, December 19
^th

The old school weight room was half full. Travis Haden dripped with sweat, straining to push out his last set of squats. MSgt Willy Trent stood behind him, ready to assist.

“You’ve got this,” said Trent.

Travis, sweat glistening on his forehead, gritted his teeth and pushed until the bar jumped up and over the holders. He backed out of the frame. “Jeez. Used to be a lot easier.”

Trent laughed, “We’re not as young as we used to be.”

“I don’t see you losing many steps, Top.”

It was true. MSgt Trent was one of those freaks of nature. Despite his age, he only seemed to get stronger and faster. This frustrated the SEAL to no end. Although Travis could outrun, outlift and outfight 99.99% of the men in the world, the competitor in him always looked at the huge Marine with a hint of jealousy.

“Maybe you should’ve been a Marine instead, Trav. I think it’s the uniform and the ladies. Keeps us young.”

Travis grinned. “I can’t argue with that.”

They showered in the locker room, then headed to the chow hall for breakfast. The CEO of SSI liked to eat at least one meal a day with his troops. Besides, it was pancake day, and Travis deserved it. If you could survive a workout with Trent, anyone deserved a hearty meal.

The mismatched pair said their hellos as they walked into the dining facility. Most were greeted by name. Trent moved to do a walk-through of the back of the chow line. As SSI’s unofficial head of food services, Trent spent many hours helping out in the kitchen, keeping his culinary skills sharp.

Travis moved along the empty line quickly, and then took a seat. Before he could take his first bite, his cell phone rang.

“This better be good. I was about to take a bite of a strawberry pancake.”

“Sir, it’s Isen from the main gate.”

“What’s up?”

“Sir, there’s a large group of police and reporters wanting to see you. They wouldn’t show me a warrant or anything. What you want me to do?”

Alarm bells went off in Travis’s head, but by looking at him you wouldn’t know it. “Have Ms. Haines and Mr. Dunn meet me at the front gate. I’ll be there in a couple minutes.”

Travis rose and headed to the line to find Trent, who was tasting the gravy and explaining to a new hire that perhaps more flour should be added to the roux. He looked up when Travis approached.

“I need you to come with me, Top.”

Trent patted the young chef on the back and followed Travis out the side door.

+++

Marge “The Hammer” Haines was the first one to the gate, and was peppering a policeman with questions when Travis arrived. “What’s going on?” he asked, trying to ignore the flash of reporters’ camera bulbs and the glare of lights extended from the tops of television news vans.

“They say they’re here to arrest you,” Haines fumed.

“For what?”

“He won’t say. Supposedly it’s a matter of national security.”

Travis’s eyebrow rose. “And they want
me
?”

Haines nodded. “Let me get on the phone and straighten this out.”

Travis shook his head. “It’s all right. Why don’t I go with Officer…”

“Labeau,” offered the slightly overweight plainclothes policeman, who was looking a little too smug.

Haines hesitated, and then turned to face Officer Labeau. “Mr. Haden will ride in one of our vehicles and follow you to the station.”

“Those aren’t the orders…”

Haines cut him off. “It’s either that or I call up the governor, who happens to be a good friend of Mr. Haden, and have him talk to your superiors.”

Labeau relented, wisely avoiding the powerful attorney’s threat. “Okay. He can have a driver and follow me.”

“Top, how about we take your truck?” asked Travis nonchalantly, as if they were going to the grocery store.

“No problem. I’ll run and get it.”

Minutes later, Travis and Trent pulled out of the SSI compound, soon to be surrounded by a phalanx of red and blue flashing vehicles. Haines was already on the phone.

+++

BREAKING NEWS

“The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has confirmed that the CEO of Stokes Security International, based in Arrington, Tennessee, has been brought in for questioning. Our sources from inside the nation’s capital tell us that it may have to do with the terrorist attacks at the National Air and Space Museum and in Orange Beach, Alabama yesterday. White House officials have not yet responded to our requests for a statement.”

+++

“What the hell happened?” Cal asked Todd Dunn, director of internal security at SSI, over the phone.

“Haines is on it, Cal. The skipper’s been with the Nashville PD for just under an hour. He can take care of himself.”

“I’m not worried about Travis. He’s a big boy. What about SSI? What’s the possible fallout?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. As long as we get this cleared up fast, I think we’ll be okay. If we don’t…”

“Then we’re screwed,” finished Cal. He ran through his options. Since getting out of the Marine Corps, Cal had avoided the politics of running his father’s company. Of course, it was
his
company, and he didn’t want to see its name dragged through the mud by a ridiculous claim. “Who’s running the investigation? I can’t believe the feds are letting the locals do it.”

“I think they’ll be swooping in at any moment. They’re probably trying to get more information before deploying assets. Besides, Haines already made the calls to our high-level contacts at the major agencies. They know that if they lift a finger in the wrong direction, she’ll be all over them.”

Cal said a silent thanks to his deceased father for having the foresight to hire the skilled attorney. Her reputation alone could keep the wolves at bay until they could find the culprit.

“Let’s stay in touch.”

“You got it.”

+++

“Bueno?” answered Gaucho, who sat watching the news with the rest of his team, stroking his braided beard, deep in thought. They’d all been shocked to see their CEO, who also happened to be a good friend, taken into custody.

“It’s Cal.”

“Hey, boss. We were just watching the news. Sorry about Travis.”

“Yeah. Thanks. Look, me and Briggs are in Arlington. How quickly can you and your boys get up here from Charlottesville?”

“In civvies?”

“Yeah, with concealed.”

“Driving fast, probably two hours. In the helo, under an hour.”

“We may need the vehicles, so why don’t you drive. Leave as soon as you can.”

“You got it, boss.”

Gaucho stood up and turned off the television.

“Saddle up, homies.”

+++

“They’re on their way,” announced Cal.

Daniel nodded and Don Maynor asked, “Who?”

“The cavalry. I’ve gotta go see the president.” He pointed at Daniel. “You come with me. Maynor, you want us to get you a flight home?”

“Nah. I think I’ll stick around. Haven’t been up here in ages. Want to go pay my respects to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Hell, you might need me again.”

“Use the house for as long as you need. Daniel will give you the code. If you decide to leave, send us the receipt for your flight home.”

+++

As the two Marines slid into the rental vehicle, Daniel turned to his boss. “What are we going to see the president about?”

Scowling, Cal said, “To find the leak.”

The White House,
District of Columbia

8:26am, December 19
^th

“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, Mr. President,” said Cal, his demeanor neutral, tone clipped.

The president looked up from the folder stamped
Top Secret Presidential
. “You said it was urgent. Should we wait for the vice president? He’s on his way.”

It took Cal a moment to remember that the vice president was his friend, former Senator Brandon Zimmer. “That might be a good idea, sir.”

“Why don’t you and Briggs have a seat. I’ll have them bring in some water and snacks while we’re waiting. I haven’t eaten today.”

Cal didn’t argue, instead sitting down on the love seat across from Daniel, who gave him a look as if to say, “Calm down.”

No one said a word until Vice President Zimmer entered. Daniel immediately moved to stand. Cal motioned for him to stay seated. Zimmer either didn’t notice or didn’t care, instead taking the seat next to Daniel. He looked tired, and it was barely his second day on the job.

“What’s on your mind, Cal? I take it by your demeanor that this isn’t a social call?” asked the president, as he joined the others.

Inside, Cal simmered. He willed his temper down. “Mr. President, I assume you’ve heard about my cousin, the CEO of SSI, Travis Haden, being arrested this morning?”

“I thought he was taken in for questioning,” answered the President.

Cal’s jaw clenched. “Sir, they showed up at our Nashville headquarters with a caravan of ten police cars and an entourage of reporters.”

The president’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t hear about that.”

“What are you thinking, Cal?” asked Zimmer.

“First, you both know there’s no way in hell we were involved in the attacks targeting the first lady…”

“We would never say—,” interrupted the President. Cal dared to raise his hand to quiet the most powerful man in the world.

“I’m not finished, Mr. President. When I agreed to undertake this operation, it was with the understanding that the only people privy to the full thing were the men in this room. We kept our end of the bargain, sir.”

The accusation stabbed.

“And you’re saying we didn’t,” responded the president.

Cal nodded.

The President exhaled. “We haven’t told anyone, son. Not even my closest staff—.”

“And yet my company’s name is now being tarnished by the liberal nuts on television, saying that we’re part of some right-wing conspiracy. More than one client is demanding answers. I warn you, Mr. President, if you can’t find out who did this, I will.”

“That’s enough, Cal,” barked Zimmer. Cal glared at his friend, but kept his mouth shut after the rebuke. Silence. Then Zimmer asked, “Why do you think the leak is from here? Besides, why would anyone want to link you to the attacks? There’s no evidence to support the claim. Trav will be home before noon.”

“With all due respect,
sir
, that’s not the point. Of course we’re innocent. But the threat is still out there. We’ve been accused. You, Mr. President, should know more than the rest of us what a media frenzy can do to a company’s reputation. Besides, who the hell would have the pull to get the Nashville police
and
the media to show up at the same time and the same place?” Cal asked. When no one answered, he continued. “I’ll tell you who it is. The only demographic that has that kind of pull, that can be that Machiavellian, are politicians. When I think politics, my gaze rests right here, on Washington, D.C.”

+++

“What do you mean you can’t throw him in jail? And what the fuck happened to all the video? It was supposed to look like you guys were taking down a drug kingpin.”

“They got some big shot lawyer that made some calls. She shut down most of the news channels with threats of lawsuits.”

“You’re saying some
bitch
had the balls to get in my way?”

“Look, I’m doing what I can, but I already got my ass handed to me from the chief. He’s pissed that I took that many guys with me. He said I was showboating.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck what that fat shit says! Don’t ever forget that you work for me, and that you’ve worked for me since your pimply ass left the academy. Now get off the phone and do what you’re being paid to do!”

Congressman Peter Quailen smiled wide. His tirade had been more of an act to keep that shit Lebeau in his place. The media coverage hadn’t been what he’d planned, but that wasn’t a problem. The damage had been done. Quailen dialed another number and said, “Is my money in the account?”

+++

Cal was still fuming as he rushed to leave the White House. Daniel stayed close behind, worried that they’d just stepped over the line. The meeting hadn’t ended well. Cal, in not so many words, had told the president that he had enough secrets to make his last three years in the White House very miserable. The president hadn’t taken it well, telling Cal to take some time to cool off. Zimmer had tried to pull Cal aside on the way out, but the stubborn Marine brushed by, making a B-line for the exit.

Minutes later they got in the car, and Cal slammed his palm on the dashboard. “Fuck!”

“You okay?” asked Daniel, knowing the temper that rarely surfaced from the young leader.

Cal stared out the rain streaked window, not saying a thing until they’d pulled onto the Beltway.

“What do you think? You think the president ran his mouth?” asked Cal.

Daniel shrugged. “Above my pay grade, boss.”

Cal rolled his eyes. “Seriously. Who do you think did this?”

“I don’t know. How many people have you pissed off in the last three years?”

Cal laughed. “Are you kidding me? With all the scumbags we’ve put away or killed, the list is long.”

“Do you really think it was someone on the president’s staff? That would be pretty ballsy doing that under his nose.”

“I don’t put anything past politicians. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that they’ll say or do anything to get their way.”

“They’re not all bad. What about Brandon?”

Cal snorted. “He’s no Boy Scout either. Don’t ever forget how we all met.”

+++

“What do we need to do about Stokes?” asked the president.

“Let’s give him a day to cool off, and then I’ll talk to him,” said Zimmer. “I’d be pissed too. I’m just sorry he came in here like that. If I had known…”

“It’s not your fault. I can’t say that I blame him. There was a time when I would’ve done the same thing.” The president walked over to the fireplace, staring into the flames. “Cal’s right about one thing. We need to help him find whoever’s behind this.”