A Necessary Kill Read Online Free Page A

windshield. I fire five rounds in quick succession. At this speed, aiming is tricky, but all bar one hit the mark.
    The SUV swerves uncontrollably as the bullets impact the back of it, cracking the rear windshield—the driver maybe not expecting me to shoot at them.
    Seriously, I figured they would’ve done some research on me, or something… I’m a little insulted!
    They regain control and move to the left, slowing to draw level with me. I think they’re going to try ramming me, which, given I’m doing 110 miles per hour, and they’re in a much larger, heavier vehicle, isn’t likely to end well for me.
    I move alongside them, looking across and smiling at the agent riding shotgun as he rolls down his window and leans out, slowly bringing his weapon into view. Checking that the road immediately ahead is clear, I whip my own gun up and stare at him. I see in his eyes the exact moment he realizes he wasn’t quick enough to beat me.
    I aim just to the right of where I want to hit, to compensate for the speed I’m traveling, and pull the trigger once.
    The noise is drowned out by the roaring wind, but the effects are just as devastating. The agent’s head snaps back violently as the bullet strikes him between the eyes. Again, the vehicle swerves, struggling to maintain control as the agent’s body lurches backward from the impact, hitting the driver.
    I know they’ll be distracted for a few more seconds, so this is my chance…
    I slam on the brakes and push myself up slightly in my seat, keeping one hand on the wheel so I stay straight while I take aim. As the SUV carries on ahead, I fire twice, hitting the front tire with the second round.
    The rubber disintegrates almost immediately. The SUV jolts violently before sliding sideways and flipping over, rolling away from me. It smashes into three other vehicles. The sound of metal tearing and colliding with more metal is ferociously loud, grating through me like nails on a chalkboard.
    I speed up, navigating the minefield of debris scattering itself across the interstate until I draw level with the vehicle, which has come to a stop, spinning on its roof, away from the other cars. I bring my gun up as I move past, trying to time my shot with the revolution of the SUV…
    Bang!
    I fire once as the exposed gas tank presents itself, and the resulting explosion shakes the ground around me, filling my rearview with smoke and flames. I drop the gun on the passenger seat again as I refocus on the road. The acrid smell of burning fuel is strong in the air.
    In the distance, the faint sound of sirens drifts across the interstate.
    Time for me to be somewhere else, I think…
    Traffic is slowing to a crawl as people on both sides of the road stop to look at the remains of the SUV, barely visible among the flames. I weave my way through and take the first exit.
    I need to ditch this car and swap it for something less conspicuous. Aside from a few bullet holes, it’s still in good condition. I’ll call Case once I reach New Hampshire and tell him where his wheels are.
    I just hope the assholes who were chasing me didn’t call back to the mothership with my whereabouts before they blew up.
    How the hell did they even find me? I’ve been so careful…
    Well, no sense worrying about that now. I’ve bought myself a few hours at least. I need to get another car and track down the first name on this list. I don’t have time to waste.

4
MEANWHILE…
    15:42 EDT
    President Cunningham was sitting at the head of a long, polished table in the Situation Room, underneath the West Wing of the White House, meeting with members of his National Security Council. Opposite him, mounted on the wall, was a large display screen, currently switched off. He leaned back in his chair, listening to the discussion as he took a sip from his bottle of water.
    On his immediate left was Elaine Phillips, the secretary of state. She was a strong woman in her early fifties with graying blonde hair. She was