Designated Survivor by John H. Matthews Read Free Book Online

SEALs?” Arrington said. “I thought you agreed we weren’t using your guys for this.”
    “And girls,” Netty said as she walked past.
    “I had them on site in case there were any problems,” Grace said. “And there were problems.”
    “What kind?” Arrington said.
    “One of the SEALs turned on us, shot the other five before they knew what was happening,” Grace said. “Would have killed me if Chip hadn’t had my back.”
    Arrington put both of his hands on his face and rubbed his eyes. As he lowered his hands he saw Holden and Avery carrying the shot Marine pilot past him into the building.
    “Who the hell is that?”
    “Blackhawk pilot,” Grace said. “I had to shoot him.”
    “Is he—”
    “No, just out cold,” Grace said. “They’re going to get him comfortable. If you have a doctor you can bring in, that would be great.”
    “What did I do to deserve this in my life,” Arrington said. “Okay, what about the Secret Service from the house?”
    “Left them there,” Grace said. “I think they were clean but didn’t want to take the chance. They’d had a shooting but seems like they took care of the threat. We have Graham and that’s all that matters right now.”
    Richard Graham was out of the van and walked up to Arrington.
    “We’ve never actually met, sir. I’m Richard Graham,” the secretary of transportation extended his hand to the director of the NSA.
    “I know who you are,” Arrington turned and walked towards the building.
    “Well, that wasn’t very friendly, was it?” Grace turned to Graham.
    Grace and Graham followed Arrington into the building with the rest of the team behind them. They all stopped at the elevator.
    “Seriously?” Arrington said. “Everyone is coming down?”
    “Right now this is the only group of men you can trust,” Grace said.
    “And women,” Netty said.
    They all exited the elevator on the sublevel and entered the ETTF control room. Six new faces were at computers researching all of the Secret Service officers. Director Leighton stood and walked towards the group.
    “Who the hell are all these people? This is a secure facility.” Leighton said. He saw the bloody pilot being carried in. “Has that man been shot?”
    “They’re with me, and yes,” Grace said. “Understand?”
    Leighton looked past Grace at the group, shaking his head then turned and went back to his seat.
    “General Darby,” Grace said. “I hate to ask, but may I search you?” The Navy SEALs and other special combat teams fall under Darby’s command.
    “Excuse me?” Darby said.
    Grace walked up to him at the conference table and stood above him.
    “A SEAL opened fire and killed the other five then tried to kill me,” Grace said. “We just need to make sure you didn’t alert anyone to their mission. Do you have a cellphone on you?”
    “I conducted all of my communication over the secure lines right in front of everyone,” Darby said.
    “Still, just need to check,” Grace said.
    Darby looked at Arrington who just nodded at him. Darby stood and raised his arms while Grace patted him down.
    “He’s clean,” Grace said. “Sorry, Vic, you know I had to.”
    Arrington brought the team up to speed.
    “Since you left there’s been little activity at the Capitol, and no demands have come in through any channels, including the media,” he said. “Heat signatures in the House chamber are still strong.”
    “It’s been almost four hours, what are they waiting for?” Grace said.
    “If I may,” Graham tried to speak.
    “We have a perimeter set up around the building, again not knowing the condition of the troops and officers in use,” Arrington said. “Stories are going around about the internal shootings, so everyone is jumpy.”
    “What if—” Graham said.
    “Agents are going building to building around the capitol,” Paulson said. “We also have security details visiting the residences of the ranking members of Congress and working themselves down