Storm Rising by Gary Naiman

Author:Gary Naiman [Naiman, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fideli Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2015-10-11T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

Shock

Jordan suppressed a smile and placed the newspaper on the desk. “I’ll be damned. That’s one I didn’t expect.”

She nodded and stared at the headline—

Chief of Staff and FBI Director Killed in Fatal Accident,

President Visibly Shaken During Press Conference

He leaned toward her. “You okay, Missy?”

She lowered her head. “Kingston left a wife and two daughters. I know that pain.”

Jordan eased back in his chair and stared at the window. “The President must be a basket case. He and Wiley were very close. Came up the political ladder together. No replacement for that kind of trust.”

She pushed out of her chair and walked around the desk to the window. It was a beautiful summer morning at Lake Warnock. Blue sky, gentle breezes, the lake rippling through the trees, but she didn’t notice. Her mind was on the front page photograph of the twisted, melted hulk that was once an SUV.

Jordan stood up and eased beside her. He rested his hands on her shoulders and spoke softly. “Sure you’re okay?”

She stared at the lake. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“What?”

“They died on a fishing trip.”

“So?”

“Who goes on a fishing trip with someone they hate?”

He patted her shoulders. “They were probably trying to work something out. It’s no secret the President wanted Kingston off the payroll. Easier to settle things away from the office.”

She turned toward him and pointed at the newspaper lying on the desk. “I’ve seen too much war, Matt. That SUV exploded before it went off the road.”

“Now really, Missy—”

“For god’s sake, look at the photo. They’re digging melted metal out of the trees. The road’s black with scorch marks.” Her eyes burned into him. “That’s blast heat. I’ve seen a hundred like it.”

He grasped her arms. “Easy, Missy. It was an accident, pure and simple. Now snap out of it cause we have work to do. We need to hit them now, before they recover.”

She started to speak, but he raised his hand for silence. “Where’s the reporter?”

She folded her arms and looked down. “He made the exchange and took off.”

“That’s confirmed?”

She nodded. “Jess called me this morning. Ambrose made the exchange and took off.”

Jordan’s face reddened. “I don’t trust that little bastard. I’ve seen his kind before. He’ll sell his soul to the highest bidder.”

She sighed. “He’s not going to try anything. He has what he wants.”

“What about the video?”

“All there.”

“And the interviews?”

She shrugged. “Jess is working on the first telecast.”

His anger faded. He backed away and stared at her with glistening eyes. “My god, do you know what this means? We’ll be at thirty percent by month end. Then the debates and—” He grimaced and clutched his chest.

“What’s wrong?”

He groaned and pressed his clenched fist against his heart. His body slumped against the desk.

“Matt?” She rushed beside him and gripped his arms.

“I’m okay, just a little dizzy.”

She stroked the sweat off his brow. “I’ll get a doctor.”

“No!” He pulled her against him. “Hold me, Missy. Hold me tight.”

Her eyes welled up with tears. “Please, let me get a doctor.

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