Presidential Shift by C. G. Cooper Page B

there. We’ve been accused. You, Mr. President, should know more than the rest of us what a media frenzy can do to a company’s reputation. Besides, who the hell would have the pull to get the Nashville police and the media to show up at the same time and the same place?” Cal asked. When no one answered, he continued. “I’ll tell you who it is. The only demographic that has that kind of pull, that can be that Machiavellian, are politicians. When I think politics, my gaze rests right here, on Washington, D.C.”
    +++
    “What do you mean you can’t throw him in jail? And what the fuck happened to all the video? It was supposed to look like you guys were taking down a drug kingpin.”
    “They got some big shot lawyer that made some calls. She shut down most of the news channels with threats of lawsuits.”
    “You’re saying some bitch had the balls to get in my way?”
    “Look, I’m doing what I can, but I already got my ass handed to me from the chief. He’s pissed that I took that many guys with me. He said I was showboating.”
    “I don’t give a flying fuck what that fat shit says! Don’t ever forget that you work for me, and that you’ve worked for me since your pimply ass left the academy. Now get off the phone and do what you’re being paid to do!”
    Congressman Peter Quailen smiled wide. His tirade had been more of an act to keep that shit Lebeau in his place. The media coverage hadn’t been what he’d planned, but that wasn’t a problem. The damage had been done. Quailen dialed another number and said, “Is my money in the account?”
    +++
    Cal was still fuming as he rushed to leave the White House. Daniel stayed close behind, worried that they’d just stepped over the line. The meeting hadn’t ended well. Cal, in not so many words, had told the president that he had enough secrets to make his last three years in the White House very miserable. The president hadn’t taken it well, telling Cal to take some time to cool off. Zimmer had tried to pull Cal aside on the way out, but the stubborn Marine brushed by, making a B-line for the exit.
    Minutes later they got in the car, and Cal slammed his palm on the dashboard. “Fuck!”
    “You okay?” asked Daniel, knowing the temper that rarely surfaced from the young leader.
    Cal stared out the rain streaked window, not saying a thing until they’d pulled onto the Beltway.
    “What do you think? You think the president ran his mouth?” asked Cal.
    Daniel shrugged. “Above my pay grade, boss.”
    Cal rolled his eyes. “Seriously. Who do you think did this?”
    “I don’t know. How many people have you pissed off in the last three years?”
    Cal laughed. “Are you kidding me? With all the scumbags we’ve put away or killed, the list is long.”
    “Do you really think it was someone on the president’s staff? That would be pretty ballsy doing that under his nose.”
    “I don’t put anything past politicians. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that they’ll say or do anything to get their way.”
    “They’re not all bad. What about Brandon?”
    Cal snorted. “He’s no Boy Scout either. Don’t ever forget how we all met.”
    +++
    “What do we need to do about Stokes?” asked the president.
    “Let’s give him a day to cool off, and then I’ll talk to him,” said Zimmer. “I’d be pissed too. I’m just sorry he came in here like that. If I had known…”
    “It’s not your fault. I can’t say that I blame him. There was a time when I would’ve done the same thing.” The president walked over to the fireplace, staring into the flames. “Cal’s right about one thing. We need to help him find whoever’s behind this.”

Chapter 19
    SSI Safe House, Arlington, VA
    10:19am, December 19 th
    The four vehicles pulled into the drive, Gaucho and his team piling out. They quickly unloaded two duffel bags per man and went inside.
    “Any trouble getting here?” asked Cal, as Gaucho stepped into the dining room.
    “We left