The White House: A Flynn Carroll Thriller by Whitley Strieber Read Free Book Online Page B

unit’s files had been moved to the Iron Mountain facility in Rosendale, New York, one of the most secure such operations on the planet. And yet, here was a twenty-something with arguably its most sensitive file in his hands, walking into the White House from an unknown destination.
    He called Diana. “The cadaver’s ready to move. I’ll wait here with it until the mortuary team shows up. Where are we taking it?”
    â€œThe coroner’s facility at Langley,” she replied. “It’s been cleared for you. Nobody will stop the wagon, nobody will do any ID checks. Just be sure you’re directly behind. They’re expecting a caravan of two vehicles—you and the coroner’s vehicle, that’s it.”
    â€œGot it.”
    While he waited, he examined the wound. When he set the head back on the neck, it appeared that the boy was wearing a thin red string.
    He called Diana again. “I’m going to want you to start examining the Secret Service video, and also find out if they had any surveillance in the kid’s office. Go over it frame by frame, layer by layer.”
    â€œI’m doing it now.”
    â€œInform me the moment you get a hit. If you do.”
    The coroner’s team appeared in the doorway, three men and a woman.
    â€œWe’re ready,” the team leader said.
    As they moved toward him, Flynn held up his hand. “Slow down. I want your units and your names. I need to do some clearances.”
    They traded glances. This wouldn’t be a familiar procedure to them, but they had never encountered this level of security before. Once they were back out in the hall, he ran their names through the CARAT system, which addresses all accessible information databases on the planet, including many that are believed by their owners to be encrypted. In two minutes, he had all their records. They were all Air Force personnel, which was good. The USAF had a good security system and a good relationship with his own unit. Seeing nothing unusual in the records, he continued with his work.
    He put both the body and head in a single body bag that he pulled from the supply closet beside the sink. He zipped the bag and put yellow plastic tape over the head of the zipper. Under no circumstances could these people be allowed to see the headless corpse. Media types would pay a fortune for a shot of somebody who’d been beheaded, and when it was discovered that the crime had been committed in the White House, six figures would be in play.
    Safest way to prevent leaks: Don’t tempt.
    He opened the door to the team. “OK, kids, it’s yours. There’s a classified seal on the bag, though, and the tape is tamper-proof. Any sign of entry, and you’re in a world of hurt.” In his car, he reported to Diana again. “Following on. There’s four USAFs in there. They all have straight records.”
    â€œGot it. Let ’em do their job. Back off.”
    He disconnected and waited, watching as the body was brought out and put in the federal meatwagon for its journey to Langley.
    As it left the Navy Yard, Flynn drove just behind. He called Diana again. “You find anything on those tapes?”
    â€œWe pick him up on the surveillance as he comes up the driveway. He enters via the main entrance, then goes straight to the West Wing.”
    â€œAnybody engage with him?”
    â€œA busboy exited his office five minutes before he arrived, carrying a food tray.”
    â€œShow me.”
    â€œFlynn, you’re behind the wheel of a car.”
    â€œShow me!” He turned on his iPad, which was on the seat beside him. An instant later, an image appeared. Flynn glanced down at it, looked more closely. Then he returned his eyes to the road. “It’ll interest you to know that the busboy who cleared up after his lunch is now driving the meatwagon. In other words, he has Doxy’s remains.”
    â€œI’ll dump SWATS on the