The Alliance by Shannon Stoker Page A

couldn’t come down,” Ian said. “This way you’re already here. Besides, the taping will take place in the Mission. The ­people will become comfortable seeing you here. Trust me when I say this may appear minor, but we want the transition as smooth as possible.”
    â€œInstead of worrying about our citizens,” Grant said, “I was hoping you could tell me more about the position itself. What do I have left to learn?”
    â€œEverything else you will learn over the next few years,” Ian said. “Watching me.”
    â€œWhat about the security codes?” Grant asked. “I think I’ve earned your trust.”
    â€œI am the only one who knows those,” Ian said.
    He raised a white eyebrow at Grant.
    Grant smiled politely and nodded. “My concern is about an accident though,” he said. “What if you meet an untimely death? What would happen then?”
    â€œI have thought about that before,” Ian said. “I hope you would create a copy of the information the public uses before a group of renegades have the chance to hack those. You would have the authority to create a new master list and I hope you would act quickly.”
    â€œBut those are vulnerable to attack,” Grant said.
    â€œNothing will happen to me,” Ian said.
    Outside of Grant’s wanting control he could see that Ian’s belief that he was infallible was a mistake. There was no use trying to talk sense into the man. Grant changed the subject.
    â€œI see you are still wearing the American pin our French guests sent you,” Grant said.
    â€œI do like it,” Ian said.
    Grant let the smile linger on his lips, but he could not draw his eyes away from the pin. It represented everything Ian was doing wrong: accepting gifts from outsiders, caring too much about keeping the status quo instead of making America a better, stronger country. As soon as Grant had those codes he would rip that pin off of Ian’s shirt and shove it down his throat.

 
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    Chapter 21
    We received a radio message, urging ­people to head to Washington State. I keep thinking of my run-­in with the other traveling party, but my new friend is insistent we join the new civilization emerging on the coast.
    â€”­The diary of Megan Jean
    The sun flooded Mia’s hotel room and she was happy to get out of bed. Whatever sleep had come to her the previous night had been minimal, and at least now she had an excuse to start getting ready for the day’s activities.
    She had become so obsessed with speaking in a French accent that even her internal monologue was producing one. Still, she hoped Agent Barker would have fewer questions today.
    Mia showered and tried her best to style her hair. She found it strange the short hair took longer to get presentable than her long hair did. Once she was finished she dressed in a pair of orange wide-­legged pants and a white short-­sleeved blouse. She plopped her wide-­brimmed hat on her head just as a knock on her door came. In the hall were Albin, Flo, and Agent Barker. Mia forced a smile before joining them in the hall, pulling her small suitcase behind her.
    â€œDid you sleep well?” Albin asked.
    â€œI miss France,” Mia said.
    She meant it too. The hotel room wasn’t a single percent as exquisite as Flo’s home. It was a tiny space with a small uncomfortable mattress, but Mia knew that wasn’t the reason for her lack of sleep.
    â€œWell, maybe you shouldn’t have come,” Agent Barker said.
    Flo turned around to defend Mia, but the agent was already starting down the hall.
    â€œWhere is the security?” Mia asked.
    â€œThey’re waiting outside,” Flo said. Under her breath she added, “It seems Agent Barker had them sleep as far away from us as possible.”
    â€œWhy?” Mia