Chapter 4 #3
While they ate, Teddy said, “I’ve never been to the White House.”
“If you’d like me to arrange a tour, let me know,” Evelyn said.
“Once the mission ends,” he replied.
The conversation continued while they ate. Ten minutes later, Evelyn’s desk phone buzzed.
She answered. “Yes, Mr. Garrison. Thank you, sir.” She hung up, addressed him and Greystone. “The President will see you now.”
Teddy glanced around.
“Whatcha need?” Evelyn asked.
“I want to check my teeth for food,” Teddy replied.
“What?” Greystone asked.
“No way in hell am I briefing the President of the United states with food in my teeth.”
Evelyn laughed. “Smart.” She pointed to a closed door.
Once inside her private restroom, he checked his teeth. Good call. After rinsing his mouth, he checked again.
Back in Evelyn’s office, he said, “Bro, you’re up.”
Greystone vanished into the bathroom. When he exited, Evelyn led them toward the Oval office. Excitement pounded through him. Most guests took a public tour, but he was heading into the room itself.
She opened the door, gestured for them to enter, but Teddy stopped.
“After you, ma’am.”
With a kind smile, she walked in. He gestured for Greystone, then followed. The President rose from his desk, buttoned his suit jacket, and made his way over.
“Lieutenant Commander Santini, we meet again,” said President Garrison.
“Good to see you, sir,” Greystone said.
“Mr. President,” Evelyn said, “This is Mr. Theodore Santini, ALPHA BLACK OPS.”
“Mr. President.” Teddy shook the President’s hand. “It’s an honor, sir. I’m a big fan.”
The President chuckled. “That’s always good to hear.” He gestured toward the small sitting area. Again, Teddy held back, waiting for Evelyn and Greystone before making his way over.
Teddy eased onto the sofa next to his brother, the President sat in one of two upholstered chairs, and Evelyn got comfortable across from them on a second sofa.
“Greystone, I understand you’re running BLACK OPS,” the President began.
“It’s a temporary assignment,” Greystone replied.
“Are you flying?”
“Yes, sir,” Greystone replied. “As much as I can, but never enough.”
The President regarded Teddy. “How ‘bout you, Mr. Santini?”
“I’m the current lead for The Day of Destruction, and I run the family restaurant.”
“I’ve read the reviews on Santini Ristorante,” said the President. “The First Lady would love a date night there.”
“We’d be honored to host you,” Teddy replied.
The President shifted on the sofa, his pleasant smile fell away. “Okay, gentleman, give it to me straight.”
Greystone tossed Teddy a nod, and confidence settled into his bones.
Here we go.
“Mr. President, Mrs. Baker,” Teddy began, “As mission leader for third leg of The Day of Destruction, I’ve spent the past five months following up on any lead I’d uncovered in members-only chat rooms on the Dark Web.
I was able to locate and eliminate three Haqazzii terrorists outside Pittsburgh.
Two on our list—Sunjib Farquin and expert bombmaker, Al-Rahayal, and a woman. ”
The President nodded in acknowledgment.
“Under duress, Farquin told me they were now focused on something else. Their primary target is me and the BLACK OPS team. Farquin said, ‘we are going after the big one. The one where we bring America to its expletive knees. Death and destruction to America.’”
“I see,” President Garrison said.
“Al-Rahayal, told me, ‘we have moved on to something greater. Then, we will finish the job we started. When we cut off the head of the eagle, it cannot fly. Haters of democracy and counties that loathe America will make their move when America falls. America will be overtaken by powerful people.’”
Silence.
Teddy added, “Mr. President, Greystone and I have consulted the BLACK OPS team tasked with taking out these terrorists. We’re all in agreement… you are the eagle they’re coming after. Again.”
The President rose from the sofa and poured a glass of water, drank down several gulps, then offered water to the group. Everyone declined.
Teddy didn’t want to be that messenger, but he was. He was delivering the information along with the team’s expert opinion. Telling the President that the international terror cell was coming for him again was part of his job, though he took no joy in relaying it.
His mouth went dry.
“Mr. President, maybe I will take that water.” He pushed off the sofa as President Garrison poured another glass and offered it to him.
“Thank you.” Teddy drank it down, then poured himself a second glass. After draining that, he said, “I’m sorry to tell you that.”
“I appreciate your succinctness. Were you injured during the elimination?”
“A bullet grazed my arm.”
“Thank you for your service, Mr. Santini.” The President held up the pitcher.
“I’m good.” Teddy set the glass on the tray and returned to the sofa. As he sat, he swung his gaze to his brother.
Pride and approval shone in his big brother’s eyes. For that, he was grateful.
“My security team has tripled since Greystone first briefed me on The D of D,” said the President.
“I’ve pulled my children, who are now being schooled here, and the First Lady’s external activities have been curtailed considerably.
While protecting my family is my top priority, I will not cower to these monsters. ”
He set down his glass, hitched his hand on his hip.
“I’m hitting the campaign trail pretty hard over the next few days.
Election day is next week.” Pausing, he eyed Evelyn.
“Where did the past four years go?” Then, he jumped his gaze to Greystone and Teddy.
“While the pollsters show me holding a significant lead, my opponent is running a strong race. Now is not the time for me to hide.”
“Understood,” Greystone said. “This is our only mission until we find the remaining nine, including Muhammad Haqazzii.”
“That’s what I want to hear,” said President Garrison. “Everyone does their jobs. It’s that simple.”
“Do you think we should tell your political opponent?” Evelyn asked.
“Not yet,” the President replied. “If he wins the election, we brief him. If he doesn’t, he should be in no danger. This mission needs to stay on lockdown.” He paused. “Any leads on where the nine are now?”
“I’ve been hearing some chatter in a few new chat sites,” Teddy offered. “My gut says they’re coming back to the DMV, if they aren’t here already. They’ve got to know the three are dead, so they’re gearing up for battle. Like they said, they’re coming for me, then the team, then the eagle.”
“If that happens, God help the United States of America,” the President said.
“It won’t, sir,” Teddy replied, with confidence. “I’ve been an operative my entire career. I’m determined to find the terror cell. I will not fail my team or my country.”
“I admire you both,” the President said. “I couldn’t do what you do. It takes a special person to run toward evil unafraid.”
He and Greystone murmured their gratitude.
Evelyn rose. “On that note, thank you for your time, Mr. Santini, Commander Santini.” Fear and sadness shadowed her eyes.
He understood her concern. This mission was a pressure cooker unlike anything Teddy had ever known.
Though his bravado didn’t waiver, the fear in Evelyn’s eyes reminded him of the fragility of life.
Though their deaths were never part of the BLACK OPS’ conversations, it was always a possibility.
Some missions went sideways and good people died doing their jobs.
He waited for the President to stand before he rose. Then, Teddy extended his hand. “Despite the news and the intensity of this mission, meeting you is an honor. I will keep in mind what you said. ‘Everyone does their jobs. It’s that simple.’”
The President smiled. “You’re an excellent listener, Mr. Santini. I wish you luck.”
“Thank you, Mr. President. Same for you.”
“Greystone,” said President Garrison, “Evelyn told me you and Ms. Austin accepted my invitation for a White House wedding. That’s a party I look forward to when your team successfully closes out the mission.”
Greystone shook his hand. “Good luck with the election, Mr. President.”
Evelyn escorted them out, shutting the door behind her. In her office, they shouldered their duffles.
“Greystone, I got your text that Caroline can’t make dinner tomorrow night,” Evelyn said. “Tank, would you like to join us?”
His shoulders fell. “After meeting with the President, I’ll be working nonstop—”
“Teddy’ll be there,” Greystone said, “but I gotta warn you, Evelyn. You feed him, he’ll never leave.”
Evelyn laughed. “Love that. See you both at seven.”
An aide returned, and the brothers were escorted out, their sporty, new leather bags draped over their shoulders.
The weight of the mission felt like a boulder in Teddy’s gut. Despite the water he’d guzzled down, his throat was bone dry. In the past five months, he’d succeeded in taking out only two of the eleven remaining Haqazzii terrorists, and a third who wasn’t even on their radar.
Once outside, the brothers stopped next to their ALPHA SUVs.
“I’ve got a mission with no solid leads,” Teddy bit out. “Those monsters could be preparing to pick us off one-by-fucking-one.”
Greystone laid a hand on his shoulder. “We got this. You’ve been gone for months, workin’ all the time.
You were alone. Now you’re back and you have a hand-picked team of ALPHA’s best. We’ll chill at the club for a few hours tonight.
Tomorrow, we’ll start at oh-eight-hundred.
We’ll work all day, break for dinner, then burn the midnight oil. ”
“Good plan,” Teddy said. “I’m swinging by the restaurant before the club. See you tonight.”
Once behind the wheel of his SUV, he unlocked the glove box, pulled out his weapon, and holstered it where it belonged. Against his body. It wasn’t gonna save his ass locked away. It would only work if he could get to it.
And, after meeting with the President, the situation jumped to a whole nother level. He needed to eliminate those men—and fast.
But first, I gotta find ‘em.