Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink

one person can make a difference.” He offered her a look. “I’d say you’d agree or else you wouldn’t be doing this.”
    “I’m just glad you’ve decided to help me, Danny.”
    “The only reason I’m helping you is that I might be able to clear my name after we get to the bottom of whatever the hell is going on here.” Danny set his eyes firmly back on the road. “Well, that’s not the only reason,” he continued after a moment. “How could I say no to a naked woman lost in the middle of the woods?”
    “I don’t recall being naked.”
    He smiled. “Nearly naked.”
    “If nothing else, you’re an open book, Danny.”
    “I don’t want there to be any surprises, Sydney. I wanted you to know just who is helping you.”
    Sydney squeezed his hand again. “I appreciate your honesty, Danny. Honesty with ourselves and others is the best policy, no?”
    He nodded in agreement. “You’re right.”
    Sydney quickly shifted her eyes to the road. While she sensed that Danny was uncomfortable with his reply, she didn’t want him to read her face and realize that she didn’t believe her last statement for a second either.

Chapter 35
    “Mr. Speaker, Vice President Mulroney, members of Congress, fellow citizens: I stand before you tonight in awe of America’s opportunity. Great philosophers and political experts throughout the ages have stated that a democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. What starts as a republic of free people eventually evolves into a dictatorship under the weight of increased corruption within government and carelessness among the ranks of the citizenry. My fellow Americans, whether you agree with this statement or not, whether you believe that America is still sheltered underneath the umbrella of liberty or you feel that your government has long been infected by the temptations of fraud and dishonesty, I am here to tell you that America is on the brink of greatness …”
    A commotion at the back of the room caused President Jack Butcher to stop. He looked up from the teleprompter that was feeding him his State of the Union speech to see his Secret Service detail rushing toward him.
    There was no time for questions, and the Secret Service agents offered no words. They each grabbed a handful of Jack’s suit and vaulted back up the aisle of the White House Family Theater. Within the cocoon of rigid arms and solid torsos, Jack heard gasps coming from the sparse audience of speechwriters and his inner circle who had gathered to review his speech.
    Simon Shilling yelled, “What’s happening? Pete? For Christ’s sake, tell us what’s going on!”
    But Peter Devon would not answer the chief of staff. Devon had only one directive: protect the president at all costs. No explanations, no chances for second guessing, no answers needed to be provided, even to the president of the United States himself.
    Jack understood what was happening. A security risk had been discovered. It was big enough and close enough to warrant the president’s immediate protection.
    Jack’s toes finally touched the ground once he was inside the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. His Secret Service detail placed him at the head of the conference table and backed away, finally giving him room to breathe.
    “Are you okay, Mr. President?” Peter Devon asked. His head was cocked to the side, revealing the corkscrew wire that ran up the side of his shorn skull and into his ear.
    “If you’re going to carry me for that long, Pete, could you maybe have some peanuts and a Coke to offer next time?”
    Peter Devon’s face remained an unwavering hunk of stone. Jack smoothed his rumpled suit. “I’m fine, Peter. Thank you.” Peter Devon and the rest of his team all turned at once and left the room.
    Jack eyed the people that had followed them down to the PEOC. They had run two PEOC drills since Jack had taken office, and now, like in the practice runs, the usual suspects were present. Simon was sitting to Jack’s left, the same spot he commanded in the Situation Room. Next to Simon was Charlie Jacoby. Charlie was Jack’s National Security Council adviser and one tough lady. She neither accepted nor dealt in pleasantries or bullshit. Jack had never met a more direct person on the planet, which made her perfect for her job. Especially since Harry Tharp was seated next to her. Jack stared at him for a moment. What the hell is Harry doing in here?
    As if he read Jack’s mind, Harry