The Courier by Dick Brown

Author:Dick Brown [Brown, Dick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Published: 2023-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Layfette Park

Sitting in a silver Toyota on the H Street side of Layfette Park, Ron and Malcolm were watching the news on a laptop waiting for the president’s news conference to begin. Ron unfolded the QuadAir model drone equipped with a video camera. The tiny drone barely covered his outstretched hand making it difficult to see zooming through the air at thirty-miles-per-hour. He attached the controller to his smart phone for visual display to track the drone. Its small size was perfect for the stealth approach needed to successfully pull off the mission. Ron was aware of the D.C. area thirty-square-mile no-fly zone radius that included the White House. Speed and timing were critical for the mission’s success. Ron got more nervous with each delay of the president’s appearance. Finally, the news commentator they were watching on his laptop broke off his interview to cut to the Rose Garden. President Barker and his Secret Service escort emerged from the White House.

“He’s coming out!” Ron said to Malcolm. “Check the area to make sure nobody is close to us or looking in our direction. Hold the drone next to the window and let it fly out on my command. Is it clear yet?”

“All clear. “Wait!” Malcolm said. “Some old man’s walking his damn dog toward us on the sidewalk.” When the elderly gentleman shuffled past the car Malcolm gave the signal. “All clear.” He rolled his window down again, held the drone just inside the opened window. “You’re good to go, dude, fire away.”

“On my count, three, two, one.” The tiny drone’s four propellors sprang to life at full speed and lifted off Malcolm’s hand. In less than thirty seconds Ron maneuvered the craft around the East end of the White House barely twenty feet above the ground. The image of the press corps came into view on Ron’s cell phone. After it flew past the East gate entrance, he steered the tiny vehicle toward the podium in the Rose Garden where President Barker was speaking.

The president’s speech on the second day of Emma’s disappearance was aired live on nationwide TV. Secret Service agents were stationed inconspicuously among the press corps for heightened security since the kidnapping. Snipers were stationed on the roof of the White House with a full view of the scene below. President Barker was surrounded by four Secret Service agents who boxed him in-between them and stood in formation around the podium while he addressed the press corps, dozens of TV cameras, and photographers.

“I have two very important announcements for you this afternoon. First, if the kidnapper who has my daughter is watching, be advised I do not negotiate with criminals or terrorists. I ask you, as a father, not to harm her and return her home safely. If my daughter isn’t returned safely, you will be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Second, I’m proud to announce that the Clean Air Act is in the final stages of a bipartisan agreement and will be on my desk in a matter of days.

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