Presidential Shift Read Online Free Page A

what we talked about earlier?” asked Cal.
    “Let’s assume that he does. The attack doesn’t really change anything. What do you need from me?”
    Cal stared at the ground for a beat. “I want to make sure we’re all on the same page. You know how we operate, Brandon. When I find out who’s been playing around with government money, we’re on full assault. Nobody is safe. I’m not sure the president gets that.”
    “I think he does, Cal. You heard what he said. Remember how I used to be before our trip to Vegas?”
    Cal knew what the senator meant. Zimmer had been a self-absorbed and naïve politico before being blackmailed by a secret group of Japanese imperialists. He’d experienced a rude awakening in the aftermath.
    “What if this comes back to him? Worse, what if it comes back to you?” asked Cal.
    “I think I’m too new to have many skeletons. Besides, you guys know the worst of it. As for the president, that’s his call. If the trail leads back to him, I think he’ll own up to it.”
    Zimmer noticed the glower on his friend’s face.
    “If he tries to back out of it, I’ll stand with you, Cal. I promise.”
    The two men stared at each other. Finally, Cal rolled his eyes and exhaled.
    “I’ll assume that’s a yes?” asked Brandon.
    “As long as you’re the glue that binds us to the president.”
    They all shook hands and spent five more minutes outlining their plan.
    +++
    The man in the Redskins cap cowered in the corner of the dingy crack house.
    “I did just what you told me to do!” he pleaded. “It’s not my fault she made it.”
    Two men stood over him. One held a large caliber revolver pointed straight at the unfortunate underling.
    “You and your partner said this should’ve been easy. Don’t worry, we’ll be talking to your buddy soon enough. He’s on his way here now.”
    “But…but he won’t be able to tell you anything different. That warhead was made to your exact specifications. It should have killed everyone in the gallery.”
    “Well it didn’t and now I have to tell my boss that someone fucked up. You think I should tell him that I fucked up? I don’t think so.”
    Without warning, he nudged his companion. His associate depressed the trigger and the bullet exited just underneath the Redskins cap a split second later.
    “You want me to put him somewhere?” the man with the gun asked.
    “Just leave him there.”
    The sound of a car pulling into the dirt drive crept into the house.
    “Let’s go take care of the other guy.”

Chapter 5
    Washington, D.C.
    3:49pm, December 15 th
    Before they could leave the White House, an intern found them. The president wanted to see them before they left town.
    “I have a car waiting for you, gentlemen. It will take you over to the hospital.”
    Cal looked at Daniel resignedly.
    “Lead on,” said Cal.
    They were both surprised to see a four vehicle motorcade waiting for them.
    “I thought you said a car was waiting for us.”
    “This’ll get you through the traffic,” said the intern, who then turned and headed back into the White House.
    +++
    They arrived at MedStar Washington Hospital Center soon after. The Marines followed their new security detail through the various checkpoints manned by Secret Service and Marine sentries.
    “You ever seen anything like this?” Cal muttered to Daniel.
    “No way.”
    There were no less than thirty security personnel on the floor holding the first lady. The president was alone with his wife as they walked in. He looked up from the conversation.
    “Cal, Daniel, you haven’t met the first lady, have you?” His eyes were just barely tinged with red. Minus the loosened tie, he still looked the power part.
    “No, sir,” answered Cal. “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
    “Are these the gentlemen you have helping you with your little project, honey?” The first lady’s face looked drawn, and yet her eyes still burned with confidence.
    The president nodded. “I figured unleashing