Toward the Brink (Book 3) by Craig A. McDonough Read Free Book Online Page A

below, the discussion returned in earnest to their evacuation. Aside from Etheridge’s alcohol-fueled rants about needing him and his connections if they wanted to survive, there was little that either man could do. Holmes was well aware that when such high emotion was felt, and none of it positive, it was best to keep quiet. A schemer, he hadn’t given in, but there weren’t a lot of choices for him should he manage to escape. The Tall Man was alert to this predicament, and would be on guard against any attempts by Holmes to talk himself into remaining with the group.
    The Tall Man was eager to hear what the president’s travel destination had been, just as the president was interested in their plans. As the Tall Man, Mulhaven, Tom Transky, the pilots of both planes, Chess, and Kath took seats around the kitchen table to consider all options, the Tall Man called Elliot over.
    “Take Cindy and go check on the ammo and weapons we have left in the motor home.”
    Elliot just stared at the Tall Man. After all he’d been through, all he’d seen? Hell, he was there on the day of the undead outbreak and had been in on every decision since then. The Tall Man had gone out of his way to include him and Allan. He wasn’t about to be relegated.
    “Sure, Chuck.” Elliot pulled up another chair at the table. “As soon as we’re finished.”
    “Elliot!”
    “Yes, Chuck?” While Elliot was just twenty or so years younger, his experience was light years away from the Tall Man’s, but he wasn’t about to give any ground.
    “Chuck,” Kath whispered.
    He looked back at Kath and saw the look of consternation in her eyes. This was not the time to order others about.
    “You’re right, Elliot. Sorry, I’m just at a loss at the moment. With the foamers, the plane almost exploding, you running off, and then on top of it that bastard who had me protect all of this, to make sure it went ahead unimpeded, arrives on our doorstep!” It was the closest to an emotional cry for help as anyone was likely to get from the Tall Man. A good deal rested on his shoulders, and the strain was beginning to show.
    “It’s okay, Chuck. We’ll do it after this.” Elliot relaxed his stance, and the brief instant of tension, like the population, vanished.
    “You mentioned in the truck that you saw our plane come in and came to investigate, but you didn’t say why.” The president was a shrewd man. Not matter what people said about politics and those like the president and Tom, both had been in the game for many years, and it took more than money to get there.
    “I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. President.”
    The president abruptly stood, his brow deeply furrowed, his lips pursed firmly inward. “Okay, everybody, please … can I have your attention?” He said it loudly enough to be heard in all rooms of the house.
    “All of you know what’s happened, but not the full extent. You’ve got some damn good guesses, I’m sure, so allow me to give you the details.” He took a breath as the others from the living room gathered to hear. “The United States, our country, for all intents and purposes no longer exists. It has collapsed, as many other governments have or will. I may be accused of being the captain who abandoned his sinking ship before the passengers were rescued, but after the recent display of treachery within the White House, there were very few I could trust. My duty, therefore, as my good friend Tom Transky pointed out, was to my wife and my children. But—and this is what I want to you to hear—there is no more country, nor does the government function anymore. Therefore, I am no longer president. I, Elias Robert Charles, am no longer the president. I’d be more than pleased if you just call me Bob. And I mean it.” He looked around and made sure that everyone understood before he took his seat again.
    The silence that followed was broken by Mulhaven’s lighthearted quip. “Well, I’m pleased to meet you, Bob. I’m