“The thing I can’t get over is that Evana had to have some help on the inside,” Hawk said. “We already know that Obsidian was working with her.”
“Yeah,” Black said. “They wanted me to assassinate the Vice President. The only reason they’d do that is because they have the Speaker of the House in their back pocket.”
Hawk nodded. “Charlie Knox, the longtime representative from California. He seems like an odd choice.”
Blunt grunted. “I think we know by now that Obsidian can reach anyone of any political persuasion as long they apply enough pressure.”
“Uh, guys,” Alex said as she scrolled through her phone. “I’m not sure Charlie Knox was their man. He died last night of a heart attack, exactly one month after getting a clean bill of health from his doctor.”
“Then who’s next?” Black asked. “The president pro tempore of the senate?”
“Richard Joseph from Virginia. He’s serving his third term now after being a two-term governor.”
“Black, I want you to look into Joseph and see what you can find,” Blunt said. “We need be watching him closely but from under the radar. I don’t trust anyone anymore, not even Randy Wood.”
“Admit it—you cheated while playing him in poker, didn’t you?” Alex asked. “I always heard you can tell a lot about a man’s character by how he plays cards.”
“I didn’t cheat,” Blunt said. “I beat him fair and square. He’s just pissed he lost. He’ll get over it.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out tonight,” Alex said. “Because you’re all coming over to our place to grill some steaks and play cards.”
“Is that really necessary?” Blunt asked. “I’d rather just sit at home tonight and read a book.”
“You’re coming over, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
Blunt sighed. “In that case, I’ll be there.”
“Now switching subjects again—what about A’isha?” Alex asked. “What’s happened to her?”
“She’s still in the hospital for more observation on her leg,” Blunt said. “When she gets out, we’d like to send her back to Afghanistan, but we might as well be sending that girl to her death if we do that. I suspect someone will be watching out for her and making sure she gets in a great home and a good education.”
Hawk shook his head. “Everybody gets their happy ending but me.”
“You’re still married to the hottest operative in the world, and you saved the president,” Alex said. “What’s sad about that?”
“Evana Bahar is still out there,” Hawk said. “And she’s going to be terrorizing innocent people soon enough, if not killing dozens upon dozens of them for her misguided cause.”
“We’re going to catch her, Hawk,” Blunt said. “Just be patient. Remember how long it took us to catch Karif Fazil?”
“I’ll never forget it.”
Blunt nodded. “Well, we haven’t been at this nearly as long, and she only narrowly escaped after her attempt on Young’s life. She’ll make another mistake at some point, and you’ll be right there to nab her.”
“Maybe, but it seems like we went through a whole helluva lot of trouble to boost the president’s flagging ratings. It’s well above fifty percent now for the first time since just days after he was sworn in.”
“What’s he up to?” Hawk asked.
“Eighty percent,” Blunt said.
“Those are sympathy numbers. Once he gets back to the business of governing this country, those polls will drop again. If not on their own, they’ll fall because President Young does something that defies logic and makes people uneasy.”
Blunt shrugged. “Who cares? Our job is to keep this country safe. And if they somehow coincide with the president’s wishes, so be it. We’ll reap the benefits as we fulfill our duty.”
“So, what’s next?” Black asked.
“I hope you’ll like this answer,” Blunt said.
“Try me,” Black said.
“We’re getting back to Obsidian being our main focus,” Blunt said. “You all think you can handle that?”
Every head bobbed with a yes.
“Very well then,” Blunt said. “Let’s launch an investigation into Richard Joseph—and find General Fortner so we can put this whole issue to rest. Meeting adjourned.”
Blunt stood and lingered for a moment before asking Hawk to stay behind. Once the room was clear, Blunt sat back down.
“What is it, sir?” Hawk asked.
“I need your help. I have a lead for a person connected to Obsidian—and I don’t want the team finding out about it. Think you can do that for me?”
Hawk nodded as Blunt slipped his top agent a sheet of paper. He scanned the document for a few seconds as his eyes widened.
“Are you sure about this?” Hawk asked.
Blunt nodded. “I’m sure of the source but not of the accusation. That’s why I need you to check it out for me.”
“Of course, sir. You can count on me.”
THE END
To keep reading in the Brady Hawk series, order the next book A DEADLY FORCE here.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am grateful to so many people who have helped with the creation of this project and the entire Brady Hawk series.
Krystal Wade was a big help in editing this book as always.
I would also like to thank my advance reader team for all their input in improving this book along with all the other readers who have enthusiastically embraced the story of Brady Hawk. Stay tuned ... there's more Brady Hawk coming soon.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R.J. PATTERSON is an award-winning writer living in southeastern Idaho. He first began his illustrious writing career as a sports journalist, recording his exploits on the soccer fields in England as a young boy. Then when his father told him that people would pay him to watch sports if he would write about what he saw, he went all in. He landed his first writing job at age 15 as a sports writer for a daily newspaper in Orangeburg, S.C. He later attended earned a degree in newspaper journalism from
