Chance.Twins.04.First.Strike.2009 by Higgins Jack

Author:Higgins, Jack [Higgins, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0100-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16.

Kent's team had moved the bodies out of the Situation Room and dumped them in the Secret Service offices.

"Close the door," Kent told Tom. "I don't want to have to look at that mess every time I go past."

"Sure thing."

Back in the Situation Room, Lorraine was at the main control desk. "You'd think they would have surveillance inside the White House," she said. The monitors were flashing up a succession of images--mostly of the outside of the house, but also CNN, Fox News, and other TV channels. Weather information appeared, then satellite pictures. A feed from a computer gave an error message that there was no input connected. None of the screens showed the corridors and rooms of the house's interior.

"Just a few of the main access areas."

"We got all the Secret Service agents?"

"I think so. It's gone quiet. There might be the odd loner, but we're properly armed now."

"And no sign of the President?" Kent asked.

"He's still inside, that's for sure. We got the place locked down tight before he was out of the Roosevelt Room."

"Then we'll find him." Kent hefted the Secret Service pistol he was carrying. "Guess we'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way. At least till help arrives."

"If it does," Tom muttered.

One of the monitors was showing a distant view of Pennsylvania Avenue. They could see tanks and army trucks parked on the street.

"Hey--they've been right so far. We'd never be here if it wasn't for them. They have some serious contacts."

"What if the army drives a tank into this place? Or starts shooting missiles at us?" Tom asked.

"And risk killing the hostages, maybe even the President? They won't do that. We know they won't do that. So far as they are aware, we have the President. Remember, there's a lot riding on this for a lot of people."

"Vested interests," said Lorraine. "Power plays. Politics." She said it like it was a swearword.

"Whatever works," Kent told her. "You think I want to be here, doing this? Hell, I'd rather be raising my kids and holding down a proper job. But those Chinese will lock up good Americans without trial and steal the food out of our mouths as easy as they're taking our jobs and stifling our industry. Someone's got to make a stand."

"Yeah, right." Lorraine turned away. "The million dollars our friends from Wiengwei are paying each of us will help too, of course."

Kent grinned. "Of course. But then our goals and aspirations dovetail beautifully."

The top of the sofa lifted up. Inside was a large storage area, filled with packets of dried food, bottled water, and various other supplies. Chuck opened a panel in the wall and took out a box of ammunition. He reloaded his gun.

"Worried about your friend?" the President asked Jade quietly. "And your brother?"

Jade nodded. "I hate not knowing what's going on."

The President agreed. "I know. I'm just glad my wife and kids are out of town. But I've got some good friends out there, as does Agent White.

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