Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink

“History also proves that this is the way democracies work. The two parties would elect new representatives, and the jockeying for position would begin all over again. The fight for control would be worse than ever.”
    The president considered Sydney’s statement. “After 9/11, there was a brief time when America truly acted like one united country. The events from last night would have dwarfed 9/11. The country, led by their president, would call for a total revisal of what a democracy is. No Democrats, no Republicans, no red, no blue. Just one big purple heart beating with civility, courage and compassion.” The president paused and looked up at Arlington House again. “Thomas Jefferson said that for America to work, a revolution must occur every twenty years. I’d say we’re more than two hundred years overdue.”
    The president shifted his weight back and forth. He was obviously edgy. He would make his signal any second. Danny had to keep him talking. “The country’s already on life support. Without Congress, America would have flatlined altogether.”
    “It’s brilliant.” The words came from Sydney’s mouth. Her calculating eyes hung on the president for several seconds and then she looked at Danny. “If America fails due to market forces, then so be it. However much governments try to prop up their economies in bad times, the presiding philosophy across the globe is still laissez-faire, let the markets correct themselves. However if a political catastrophe, such as a mass murder of Congress, causes economic calamity then political forces step in.” Sydney turned back to the president. “The UN would wipe away your deficits. Much of your debt would be written off as well. Financially speaking, it would be as fresh a start as a government could get.”
    “But now all that can’t happen,” Danny said.
    The president grinned. “I’ve got at least four years, Sergeant. Four years is a long time. Who knows what can happen.”
    The glow that surrounded the president’s face suddenly evaporated. Danny noticed his right hand move. A split second later, two gunshots echoed across the cemetery.

Chapter 105
    The sound of gunfire caused people at the JFK Memorial to run for their lives. Danny grabbed Sydney and galloped toward the Visitor Center. He didn’t look back to see what the president was doing. He kept his eyes on the tree line in front of him, making sure to hug it as they ran. He was sure the president’s sniper wouldn’t be able to get a clean shot through the tree branches from his position.
    By the time they reached the Visitor Center, chaos had fully erupted. The scene of people scrambling in every direction, panic etched in their faces, was exactly what Danny counted on as he and Chip made their plans only hours ago.
    Danny led Sydney inside the center and then into the men’s room. It was empty. He took her into the last stall and closed the door behind them.
    “You okay?” he asked her.
    She was obviously still shell-shocked. “What the hell just happened?”
    “Back at the pool, I should have listened to you about Taber being with the president.”
    “Danny, you don’t have to—”
    Danny interrupted her. “When I left Chip’s bar this morning, I knew that I could trust you.”
    “Why?”
    “Because no one came there for me. You could have told the president about Chip, but you didn’t.”
    “There was always something I didn’t like about Butcher.” Sydney smiled. “Plus, a girl has to have her secrets, no?”
    Danny smiled at her. “Chalk up one more to women’s intuition.”
    “Thank you for rescuing me, Danny. Again.”
    “You’re not rescued just yet.” Danny stood up on the toilet. He pushed up on the ceiling tile above his head and slid it over.
    “What are you doing?” Sydney asked him.
    Danny felt around for the three items he had placed up there before his meeting with Jack Butcher. He grabbed the GWU bookstore shopping bag and handed it to Sydney. Then he gripped the two GWU umbrellas and dropped down off the toilet.
    “Here, put this on over your clothes,” he said, reaching into the bag. He handed her a warm-up suit and baseball cap. She stripped off her coat and quickly put them on. Danny did the same.
    Minutes later, they exited the bathroom. Several people had taken refuge inside the nearby gift shop. Even if anyone recognized Danny or Sydney, they were too busy crowded around two sets of windows that looked out on the