First Strike by Jack Higgins

Wilson in charge. You’ll liaise with him when you arrive. He shouldn’t need much convincing, my friends tell me thatit was his decision to up the threat level and deploy the troops.”
    â€œSounds like they can handle it. It’s good that they’re prepared for anything.”
    There was a slight pause at the other end of the line. “Maybe a little too prepared. I’ve taken the precaution of sending some people to keep you company. Old friends and colleagues of yours, from Hereford.”
    â€œUnderstood.”
    â€œYou’ll find General Wilson parked somewhere on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
    Chance’s plane was ready. His mind was already working through the possibilities as he climbed into the co-pilot’s seat. He hoped that Jade and Rich—and Dex Halford—were all right. Normally, he wouldn’t have worried at all. Inside the White House, they would be in one of the best protected buildings anywhere on the planet. The chances that anything could happen to them inside were minimal.
    Ardman was naturally cautious, but even so, he must be more than usually suspicious to arrange for a team from Hereford to travel to Washington DC in secret—and it would have to be in secret. Because a facility near the market town of Hereford was the main base for the mostefficient and deadly military special forces team in the world: the SAS.
    The President was due in a few minutes. There was a heightened atmosphere at the reception as everyone waited. Conversations seemed hushed; there was a tangible sense of anticipation.
    Jade had left the musicians as they unpacked and assembled their instruments. She had no idea what Kate Hunter was up to, but she wanted to find Chuck White. A dark-suited Secret Service agent accompanied several of the musicians from the room. A woman with flame red hair was carrying a long, black case.
    â€œYou take your flute to the bathroom?” the Secret Service man asked.
    â€œI take it everywhere. You have no idea what a good flute costs these days.”
    Chuck was on the far side of the room. Jade could see him over the shoulders of several other people. Close to Chuck, she saw Dex Halford, and guessed Rich was there too.
    Sure enough, as she approached, she caught sight of her brother’s distinctive blond hair.
    â€œHave you tried these sesame toast things?” Rich asked as Jade reached them.
    â€œI haven’t tried anything,” Jade realised, glancing down at her plate. “I saw Kate Hunter.”
    â€œThought she was out of town,” said Halford. “That’s what Chuck told us.”
    â€œShe’s with the orchestra.” Jade was trying to attract Chuck’s attention, but he seemed distracted. He held his hand up, gesturing for her to wait a moment. With his other hand he was adjusting his earpiece. A thin coiled wire ran down behind his ear and disappeared under his collar.
    â€œUseless thing,” Chuck muttered.
    He looked round, trying to catch the eye of another Secret Service agent. The agent by the nearby door was also fiddling with his earpiece. Across the room, Jade saw another man trying to catch Chuck’s eye. The agent raised his hands in a “what’s up?” gesture and pointed to his own ear.
    â€œI don’t like this,” said Chuck. “You guys stay here.”
    â€œMy mobile’s given up working too,” said Rich. “No signal at all.”
    â€œIs it to do with Kate?” Jade asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œKate Hunter—she’s with the orchestra.”
    Chuck froze. “Kate’s here?”
    Jade nodded, surprised at the sudden anxiety in the man’s tone.
    â€œOh, my God,” said Chuck. He raised his hand so he could speak quietly but urgently into the tiny microphone in the cuff of his jacket. “Can anyone hear me? Anyone got comms? This is Agent White declaring a situation. We have a Code Red, repeat Code Red. Do not bring