Shepherd One by Rick Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

independent agent.” 
    The president gingerly laid the photos on the desktop. “Upon
further assessment, do you believe a terrorist faction succeeded in getting a
unit across the border?”
    Craner’s demeanor became less hardened. “Yes, sir, I do.
Cells work independently from one another in case one gets caught so others can
succeed. There’s no doubt in my mind they achieved the means by slipping at
least one unit onto American soil.”
    The president’s voice remained inquisitively impassive. “And
maybe more?”
    Craner nodded. “Yes, sir. But how many more is unknown at
this time.” 
    Burroughs tented his fingers and bounced them off the base
of his chin, his mind working, the tapping steady and metered like the needle
of a metronome. And then, “I’m going to call the Russian president and hold him
indirectly responsible for what has happened,” he said. “Of course he’ll deny
everything and shove my words back down my throat, but the moment I get off the
phone you know he’ll be in contact with all his resources to confirm if what I
said is true.  I want all our intelligence resources up and running. I want
every one of our agencies intercepting everything the Russians are throwing
across their airwaves regarding Perchenko. I want to know how many weapons this
man sold to the insurgents. And I definitely want to make one thing very clear—and
this specifically pertains to you, Doug, and whatever coverts we have in Russia. I want Perchenko found and terminated the moment we confirm the amount of weapons
sold and displaced on American soil. And I want all of you to understand—and I
think all of you do understand—that our backs are pressing hard against the
wall right now. All I’m asking you to do as the elite team I picked you for is
to give me your absolute best. Have I made myself very, very clear?”
    There was a group murmur that sounded more like a chorus of
drunken slurs. 
    “Then let’s get moving, people. I need to know where those
weapons are.” 
     
    #
    Washington D.C.
    0630 Hours Eastern Standard Time
     
    President Burroughs was true to his
word when he stated he would call the president of Russia and proffer threats
and ultimatums, knowing full well they would be nothing more than idle bullying
that were, of course, met by the political macho posturing of his Russian
counterpart. However, the response he needed by the Russian principals to
better serve his needs was for them to trigger all inquiries within their own
administration, which were duly intercepted under the close scrutiny of
American espionage and ingenuity.
    Russian agencies quickly colluded with one another in the
subsequent aftermath, making Perchenko the hot topic of the day. Suddenly there
were explorations into his life such as to what was he doing? What was his
activity in respect to established bank accounts since his departure from the
Directorate S? And then there were further inquiries regarding Yorgi
Perchenko’s black marketing schemes and alleged activities. But foremost they
wanted to know where Perchenko was, which placed him within the crosshairs for
removal long before American intelligence had the opportunity to find him
first. Either way, Yorgi Perchenko had become a marked man.
    And this pleased the president to no end. He had
accomplished his goal.
     

 
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
    Los Angeles , California
    0930 Hours
     
    Al-Khatib Hakam graduated from Columbia University with honors at the age of nineteen. He stood five six, was willow thin,
and possessed the face of a child, but the mind of a leading academic. Subdued
in manner and usually in control of his emotions, Hakam spoke little but walked
with the air and confidence of a man twice his size.
    He is also a natural born citizen of the United States—from Dearborn, Michigan.
    And he is al-Qaeda.
    Growing up in Dearborn held little reprisal since the
community in general was of Arab ethnicity. However, having been accepted into
Columbia