Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society, #8)

by Alex Siegel

God's plan. I'll rely on his help in the future. I need him alive." "How do you know he'll be assassinated?" Aaron said. "I'm still in Washington learning about government. I talk to all kinds of people every day. I noticed a change in the last few weeks, a shift in expectations. I can't put it in words, but I know I'm right. The President is in great danger." Aaron frowned. "Haley already has plenty of protection. It's called the Secret Service. I'm told they're pretty darn good at their job." "Not good enough. Aaron, I need you. Your unique abilities will make the difference. It's a shame Marina isn't with you. You're supposed to work together, and she could really help you this time." "That won't happen." Aaron glanced at Ethel. "Do you have any more information?" "No," Wesley said. "All I see now are ghosts of rumors and the tangled threads of destiny. Thanks for helping. You're a life-saver. Ethel, there is something important I have to tell you. It's a little bit personal." "Go on," Ethel said. "I trust the people here." "Love is the most essential emotion of all. God has no use for a legate who refuses to accept love. For once, allow yourself to be a woman instead of just a monster." "What does that mean?" "You'll understand soon," the boy said. "Bye." The call ended. Typical, Aaron thought. Wesley drops some bombs and walks away. "Well." Ethel raised her eyebrows. "We have our marching orders: protect the President."

"That sounds easy, sir," Bethany said. Perry stared at her. "Good," Aaron said. "After that, identify potential threats. Make a list of everybody who wants to kill Haley." "That's going to be a very long list," Perry said. "Presidents always have a lot of enemies, and Haley is also an African-American. I'm sure I can get a thousand names with an internet search." "Just make a list. We'll worry about trimming it down afterwards." "Why do you think the President is in danger?" "Wesley told us," Aaron said. Bethany nodded. "We'll get started right away, sir. We didn't know it was that important." She and Leanna left the office. Perry made a face. "Did I miss something? Who is Wesley?" "The Voice of Truth, the Beacon of Light, and the Child of Destiny." "What does that mean, sir?" "He's a reliable source," Aaron said. "Do you understand your assignment, or do I have to explain it again?" "Stop the assassin. Security, itinerary, threats." "Get to work." Aaron noticed Ethel was approaching the open doorway of his office. She had a very thoughtful expression, and her bodyguard wasn't with her. He stepped out to meet her. "Can we talk?" she asked in a soft voice.

"I still need an FBI outfit. Cheap and blue. What kind of clothes does the Secret Service wear?" "I'm not sure." Sheryl turned around to check a different rack. She was suddenly staring into a pair of unnaturally dark eyes. The enlarged pupils were infinitely deep holes, and she glimpsed the eternal silence of the grave. There was anger in those eyes, too. The Lord's anger. "Ahh!" Sheryl screeched. She jumped back and slammed into a rack. The legate smiled politely. "You almost gave me a heart attack, ma'am," Sheryl said in a shaky voice. "The Secret Service wears black suits made of high quality fabric. Their shirts are either blue or white. The women dress like the men. Dark sunglasses are common, even when working indoors. Make sure you also have an appropriate radio earpiece. I'll help you." The legate began thumbing through the clothes. Her movements were so quick, Sheryl could hardly believe the legate was actually looking at anything. It was like watching a movie in fast-forward. Sheryl was terrified of the legate. All the rumors were true. When she was nearby, Sheryl could feel the tangible presence of death. It wasn't a pleasant experience. Boreas stood near the door. He watched Sheryl with narrow eyes that had an odd blue tint. He was just as creepy as the legate but in a different way. He seemed to carry an unnatural chill with him. Tawni came around the racks. She watched the legate with a worshipful expression.

"I'm confused," the legate said. "I don't understand why he takes such great risks to maintain a relationship with a woman who lives thousands of miles away. It would be much easier for both of them if they just gave up. That would be the sensible solution." The statement struck Sheryl as completely ignorant of the most important fact. Aaron and Marina loved each other passionately. Abandoning that relationship was inconceivable. Tawni nodded in agreement. Sheryl was appalled. Am I the only person here who understands love? she thought. "This cell is a sexual hotbed," the legate said. "You and Tawni. Aaron and Marina. Smythe and Odelia. Norbert and the twins. It wouldn't shock me if Kamal was sleeping with his microscope." "We're a passionate group, ma'am," Sheryl said. "Indeed." The legate pulled out a dark blue tie with no embellishments. "This will go nicely with that shirt."

Rosenblum faced him. "You're serious." "I could tell you the secret, but then you'd be part of it. You'd have to give up everything: your career, your friends, and your family. You'll never see your beautiful grandchildren again. Mickey and Mallory." Rosenblum's eyes widened. "You're not the only person who does background checks," Aaron said sternly. "So do you want to be like me? I'm an anonymous face with a fake name. I can't go home. I'm not allowed to have a family. I'm expendable. When I die, only a handful of people will even know I'm gone. That's the price for learning this secret. Or, you could be the overpaid general manager of a fine hotel and keep your nose out of my damn business!" Rosenblum looked down. Aaron pointed at the asphalt beneath their feet. "There are anti-tank mines under this parking lot. What's your decision? Do you want to throw everything away just to learn the truth, or are you satisfied with your life as it is?" Rosenblum swallowed. "I don't mind being an overpaid general manager." "That's what I thought. This is the last time I want to have this conversation. My tolerance has reached its limit. You've been warned." Aaron walked off angrily.

The second unexpected visitor was Secretary of State Sandra Paz. Long, black hair framed her pretty face. She had been born in Mexico and always wore colorful clothing appropriate for her Latin heritage. She was sipping from a big mug of coffee. "What are you guys doing here?" Haley said in surprise. "I thought you stayed in Washington." "We were told to come for an urgent meeting," Felt said. "Nine AM sharp." Haley shook his head. "I don't have a meeting with anybody. I explicitly set this time aside for rest. You know how tired I get after flying." "Sir," Paz said, "we took a red-eye to get here. Please, don't tell me it was all a mistake." Haley frowned and turned to Seferis, who had entered the room. "George, do I have a meeting I didn't know about?" Seferis opened a briefcase and sifted through the papers inside. He pulled out a sheet. "You do, sir. It was a last second change in today's itinerary." "With who?" Haley's shoulders sagged with disappointment. "It had better be very important." "There are just two words here. Miss Pickenpaugh." The sound of glass breaking made Haley look around. Paz had dropped her coffee mug, shattering it. Her mouth was wide open, and her hands were shaking. Felt's face had turned deathly pale. "What's going on?" Haley said. "Who is Miss Pickenpaugh?" Paz stood up, quickly crossed the room, and closed the door of the suite. "I honestly don't know," she said softly. "She's just a voice on the phone who... fixes things." "Clarence?" Haley...

He shook his head. "I've never met her, but we've had several dealings. I can't believe she's coming here." He licked his lips nervously. "Be very diplomatic with her, sir. Give her what she wants." "Why?" "She's exceptionally dangerous. You really don't want to mess with her." "Dangerous to me? I'm the President." "I stand by my statement, sir," Felt said. Somebody knocked on the door. "Come in!" Haley yelled in a tone of irritation. Three Secret Service agents entered. At least, they were dressed like agents, but he could tell at once something was amiss. The two men were huge and muscular. The one on the left with gray hair was particularly intimidating, although Haley wouldn't want to meet either in a dark alley. Their companion was a black woman with pure white hair. She was thin, but he wouldn't call her weak. She moved with a jerky quickness that unsettled Haley. She and the man with gray hair wore dark sunglasses. The other male, who had straight, brown hair, did not. Thick eyebrows cast dark shadows across his eyes. "Good morning," the woman said. "I'm Miss Pickenpaugh." The door closed behind her with a bang. "Why do you look like Secret Service agents?" Seferis said. "You're the Director of the Secret Service, right? It was the simplest way to get in. We have badges and credentials if you want to see them. I assure you they're authentic. Your own agency issued them last night." He drew a gun and pointed it at her. "You're under arrest for impersonating federal a...

"I came here to have an important conversation with the President," she said in a calm voice. "Please, don't cause trouble." The gun didn't budge. "I don't like it when weapons are pointed at me. Neither does my bodyguard." She nodded towards her companion with gray hair. "I strongly recommend you put it away." Haley was very curious about this mysterious woman. She terrified the Director of the FBI and the Secretary of State. She had also walked past a small army of Secret Service agents to have a surprise meeting with him that she had arranged. These were significant feats. Haley raised his hands. "Calm down, everybody. George, put the gun down. I want to hear what she has to say." Seferis lowered the gun but didn't holster it. Miss Pickenpaugh nodded. "I had Mr. Felt and Mrs. Paz come so they could vouch for me. They know my work." "Oh?" Haley looked at Paz. "What is she talking about?" "Go on," Miss Pickenpaugh said. "Tell him about Mexico." "But...," Paz said in a timid voice. "Tell him now." Paz took a deep breath. "It happened four months ago. I have family in southern Mexico. Aunts, uncles, cousins. A drug lord kidnapped them and held them hostage. He was trying to gain ...

Miss Pickenpaugh nodded. "I participated in that battle. Their leader was an uncivilized brute named Barragán. I cut off his head with these." She reached under the back of her jacket and pulled out a matched pair of machetes. Silver plating reflected the light like mirrors. The edges looked very sharp. Haley took three quick steps back. She examined the polished surfaces of her machetes. "Mrs. Paz needed help, so I helped her. One day, she'll return the favor." Seferis started to raise his gun. "Don't." Miss Pickenpaugh glanced at him. "I swear to God, you'll regret it." Haley was frightened but still curious. He needed to understand what was happening here. He didn't like it when important secrets were kept from him. It was also a matter of stubborn pride. Fear and intimidation were emotions that he always kept hidden from the world. He never backed down from a fight. "Just wait, George," he said. "Let's finish this conversation. Clarence, do you have a story to tell?" Felt was shivering. "Yes, sir, but you're not going to like it." "I guessed that much. Talk." Felt glanced at Miss Pickenpaugh, and she nodded with approval. Haley could hardly believe the FBI Director was takin...

Haley stared in dismay. Felt continued, "We knew we would never get a conviction. Herzog had connections all over Washington, and he was on the committees that controlled our budget. He even had a regular golf game with the Attorney General. The case was a political atomic bomb, too big for us to handle, so I asked Miss Pickenpaugh to help." Miss Pickenpaugh nodded. "I wanted Herzog to suffer for his crimes. He'll last ten or twenty years in his current condition, trapped in his own body, every day full of soul-crushing pain. My kind of justice." She grinned. Seeing that expression on her face magnified Haley's fear. It was like a death skull. "What are you hiding behind your sunglasses?" Haley said, "Let me see your eyes." She pulled off her sunglasses. Her pupils were much larger than normal and full of infinite darkness. They were holes leading to nowhere. Paz whimpered. "She just confessed to a major felony," Seferis said. "She crippled a United States senator! Please, sir, let me arrest her. This is getting ridiculous! She's a lunatic." Miss Pickenpaugh leapt and spun. Her small foot struck his face like a whip, knocking him down. She kicked his gun away and held the edge of her machete against his throat. Everybody in the room froze.

"Mr. Seferis," she said in a tight voice, "I'm struggling to be diplomatic. The problem is I'm not a nice person. Not in the least. Under normal circumstances, I would've gutted you the first time you pointed your gun at me. You're very fortunate my bodyguard didn't turn you into a Popsicle." Haley had never seen anybody move like that, much less an old woman. She wasn't human. His weak heart fluttered. Seferis' right hand was creeping towards his belt. Haley realized he was reaching for another gun. "Go ahead," Miss Pickenpaugh said. "See what happens next." The hand stopped. "Let him up," Haley said, "please. There's no need for violence." "Only if he promises to behave and keep his mouth shut." "George, will you behave? I'd like to finish this conversation." Seferis stared at the woman with the gleaming blade. "Yes, sir," he said finally. Miss Pickenpaugh stepped back. He stood up and straightened his suit clumsily. There was a bright red mark on his cheek. "Why did you come here?" he said. She smiled. "An intelligent question! I came because your President's life is in great danger." "From you?" "No. My assignment is to keep him alive." He raised his chin. "That's the job of the Secret Service." "Then it seems we're allies," she said. "Mr. Felt, Mrs. Paz, thank you for coming. I really appreciate it. Of course, you won't mention this conversation to anybody. You're dismissed."

He realized he had to make a decision. The rational choice was letting the Secret Service arrest these intruders. He just had to call for help, and fifty armed men would come crashing through the door. In fact, a security detail was supposed to be in the room already. Somehow, Miss Pickenpaugh had arranged to have them missing. As he looked at her, the choice became less obvious. She was the most astonishing person he had ever met. He was an excellent judge of character, and her intentions seemed genuine. She could've killed him already if she had wanted to. "You don't know anything about this threat?" he said. "Only that it is legitimate," she said. "We'll get to the bottom of it soon, and then you can go back to your normal life. I have my most reliable man on the case." She glanced at her companion with brown hair. Who is he? Haley wondered. "Ma'am," the man said, "I should get going. I have a lot to do. Do you still need me?" "I'll be fine." She waved her hand towards the door. "You're dismissed." He bowed slightly and left the suite. She looked around. "This is nice. I won't mind staying here for a few days. I'll sleep in the other room, of course." Haley followed her gaze. The suite had a large main room with a formal dining area and an entertainment section. Two bedrooms branched off on the sides. The kitchen was separate. The color scheme consisted of whites, yellows, and light browns. "I didn't give you permission to stay," he said.

She didn't answer him. She walked over to George Seferis and stood before him. The Director of the Secret Service stared back confidently. The red mark on his cheek was turning into a nice, little bruise. "I can tell you and I will have a problem," she said. "I know what you're thinking. You intend to raise hell as soon as you leave the room." "That's my job," he said. "No, your job is to protect that man over there." She pointed at Haley. "You won't accomplish that objective if you get in my way. If you force my hand, I'll have to switch to plan B." "Which is what?" "Moving him to a secret location, one you won't know about." Seferis raised his eyebrows. "You're actually threatening to kidnap the President right in front of him?" "I'm threatening to save his life by any means necessary. But I'd like to avoid such disruptive measures, so I need you to swear you won't give me any grief." He shook his head. "You doubt my resolve?" Miss Pickenpaugh said. "I think you're full of shit." She took a gray phone from her pocket. It was much thicker than a normal phone, and the metal covering looked like armor plate. She dialed a number and put the phone to her ear. "Hello," she said. "What's the authorization code for the ICBM's? I need the one the President uses. The World War Three code. Text it to me. Oh, send me the combination to his safe in the Oval Office while you're at it. Thank you." She stared at the display on her phone. After a moment, she nodded.

She walked over and showed the message to Haley. He saw lines of numbers and letters in black and white. "That's right," he whispered. "It would be in everybody's best interest if Mr. Seferis did as he was told." Haley felt renewed fear. This woman had access to information that was beyond top secret. "George," he said, "swear an oath." "Sir!" Seferis said. "I believe Miss Pickenpaugh is being honest with us." "She could be a terrorist." "If that were the case," Haley said, "I'd already be dead. Clearly, she can do whatever the hell she wants. I might be too tired to think clearly, but I trust her. Promise me you'll cooperate. That's an order." "But..." Haley stared at Seferis. "I promise," Seferis said finally. Miss Pickenpaugh smiled. "That's excellent. You may leave now." "Hey!" "Just go," Haley said. Seferis snarled and stormed out of the room. "Boreas," Miss Pickenpaugh said. "Wait in the hall. I want to have a private conversation." The giant man with gray hair nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He left in a more dignified manner. She smiled at Haley, and this time, the expression was warm instead of frightening. "My real name is Ethel. As you just heard, my bodyguard is Boreas. That's a secret you can't share

to start a mission. "How about that loser?" She pointed at an old man with a scrappy, gray beard. He wore green Army fatigues which had stains and worn out knees. An empty gun holster was on his belt. Norbert shrugged. "Fine. Let me do the talking." "Why?" "You tend to get violent when you're around morons." "That's fair," Tawni said. They walked over to the old man. His face was dirty. Tawni was glad they were outside so she didn't have to smell his body odor. "Do you know when that asshole Haley is showing up?" Norbert said. The old man turned and narrowed his eyes. "Who's asking?" "Just another guy who hates him. You must be here for the same reason." "Damn right. He's a lying mother fucker." The old man glared at Tawni as if she were partially responsible. "What do you mean?" Norbert said. "Everybody knows his father was a convicted rapist." "I never heard that. I thought his dad was a school teacher." "Haley had the records altered when he was the governor of North Carolina," the old man said loudly. "That bastard comes from a bad seed." "Do you have proof?" "It's common knowledge." Tawni held her tongue with great difficulty.

She took out her bulky, gray phone and made a call. "Hello," she said. "It's me. I need information about the Director of the Secret Service, George Seferis. He has a personal problem he is unwilling to discuss." Haley heard tinny voices on the phone. "Who are you calling?" he whispered. She covered the phone with her hand. "My people in Washington." He raised his eyebrows. How many people does she have? She nodded. "Thank you. That's just what I need." She hung up and faced Seferis. "Your sister has AIDS. She's dying." He stared at her with wide eyes. Haley was also astonished. Seferis had never mentioned anything about a sick sister to him. "Tell her to fly to Los Angeles immediately," Ethel said. "I know a woman who can help." Seferis shook his head. "AIDS is incurable." "It's going to take a miracle to save your sister. You're fortunate you came to me with this problem." "I'm not telling my sister to fly across the country to meet some kind of witch doctor!" "Then you'll lose her," she said. "I can fix the important stuff. Now, leave us alone." Muttering under his breath, Seferis walked off. "I'm not buying it," Haley said. "You don't know anybody who can cure AIDS." "You're sure about that?" Ethel said. In fact, he wasn't sure about anything. She seemed to exist in a different reality than he was used to. "By the way," she added, "I have a miracle in mind for you, too."

Smythe took out a business card and handed it to the first spy. "If that threat level ticks up, call this number. We'll do what it takes to stop these terrorists. Of course, we'd feel more comfortable if you just arrested them now." "We'll get to it." The spy stuffed the card in his pocket. "Thank you for your cooperation." Smythe and Sheryl left the apartment. As soon as they were back on the street, he pulled out his phone and called Aaron. "Report," the commander said gruffly. "The CIA seems to have the situation under control, sir," Smythe said. "I gave them my card. I think we can move on." "Good. The next one on the list is a group of radical black activists who thinks Haley has sold out to 'the Man.' I'll text the details to you." "Yes, sir."

"I hope you weren't planning to have children," she said, "because it won't happen now. You should have your junk cut off before it starts to rot." She grinned in a way that made Norbert shiver. He had seen the same chilling expression on the legate's face. The two women were very much alike. "Doug Irvine," the Plumber gasped. "Who?" Norbert said. "The President's campaign manager. Without Irvine, Haley will lose the election. Coulter didn't want me to attack the President directly. That was too difficult a target." "How do I know you're not lying?" "I have a briefcase," the Plumber said. "There is a hidden compartment." Tawni went to a table and grabbed a black, leather briefcase. She didn't bother trying to find the compartment with a careful search. Instead, she violently attacked the briefcase with a knife. She eventually discovered a manila packet concealed in the back. She examined the photographs and papers inside. "He could be telling the truth," she said. "Call it in," Norbert said. "Are you going to let me go?" the Plumber said. "Not yet. My superiors will decide your fate." The Plumber moaned. * * *

weighing himself down in the morning. "What is she like?" Haley asked. "Ethel?" Boreas gave him a funny look. "Why?" "I'm curious about a woman who has become a central figure in my life." "Actually, I don't know much about her. She shares her thoughts and feelings only with her closest friends, and I'm not one of them. I will tell you one thing. She's sneaky." "How?" "Turn around," Boreas said. Haley looked over his shoulder. Suddenly, he was staring into a pair of black holes leading to nothing. Surprise and fear made him jump away. He accidently knocked over a pitcher of coffee. Ethel snatched the pitcher with an impossibly fast reaction. She set it down without spilling a drop. He breathed rapidly and tried to recover his composure. "How did you...?" He glanced at her bedroom door which was still closed. "You want to know about me? I'm a creature of darkness and rage. A witch with a frozen heart. Black death." "You have low self-esteem." "I know my role," she said. She had changed into her Secret Service outfit. She grabbed a donut with sprinkles and gobbled it down aggressively. His weak heart was beating fast. He felt a wave of dizziness and almost fell over.

robes had a few stains and torn seams. "How may I help you?" the monk said. "We came a long way to learn the truth about the Antichrist," Norbert said in an eager tone. "Can we come in?" The monk's eyes lit up. "Please." Norbert and Tawni were ushered inside. He was shocked when he saw how many people were packed inside the home. Men, women, and children occupied every available spot, and some had to sit on the floor. Mothers were openly nursing babies. The odor of dirty diapers was pervasive. Everybody wore robes, but some were more yellow than white. Tall stacks of books suggested the cult spent a lot of time reading. "Tell me," Norbert said, "please." "Roy Haley is the Antichrist," the first monk said. "He was sent up from Hell to destroy the world." "Oh?" "His wife is a demon." "I thought his wife died of cancer," Norbert said. "No!" The monk leaned forward eagerly. "She was sent down to prepare Satan's army. If Haley is reelected, it will be the Apocalypse!" Norbert sighed. "What is your proof?" "His father lived in house number 969." "So?" "It's the number of the beast!" the monk yelled. "Just flipped around a little. And when Haley was in the Navy, he was wounded in the forehead. That's the mark of the beast." "It's so obvious. What are you going to do about it?"

"Destroy him. Fate brought him to Chicago so he would be near us. We are the soldiers of God!" "Obviously." Norbert looked around. "I don't see any guns. Soldiers usually have guns." The monk looked down and clenched his jaw. "You have a weapon, right? One strong enough to destroy the Devil's spawn? Can I see?" "No stranger may see the divine weapon," the monk said. That statement got Norbert's attention. Maybe there was something here after all. He looked at Tawni, and she nodded. All the people in the room were staring suspiciously. Norbert wasn't worried. He was sure he could take the whole bunch without difficulty. Most of the cult members were obviously malnourished. "It sounds like you're embarrassed," Norbert said. "That's a lie!" the monk said. "The weapon shines with the Lord's glory." "I'll see for myself." Norbert walked forward. The monk grabbed his arm. "No!" Norbert knocked him down with a brutal elbow to the jaw. The others became anxious, and some of the men started to get up. Norbert drew a gun and fired at the ceiling. The concussion rattled the windows. All the babies started crying. "Stay where you are!" he bellowed. "I'm tired, I'm grouchy, and the stink in this place is making me nauseous. If anybody gets in my way, they'll get a taste of my divine weapon." He clenched his left hand so hard the knuckles popped. He and Tawni proceeded to search the filthy home. The bedroom had so many sleeping bags on the floor it was a joke. If this place had been a p...

"I guess we all have to make compromises," Sheryl said. "You must have strong feelings about President Haley." "He's the worst thing that ever happened to this great nation. An abomination. Just hearing his name makes my blood boil. The minorities voted for him, of course. That's a good example of why we need to take away their privileges. When this country was founded, only white males who owned property were allowed to vote. I don't know why we ever changed that rule." Smythe decided not to mention Julie wasn't a male. "You're absolutely right," Sheryl said. "I wish we could do something about Haley. Just voting that bastard out of office isn't enough. Besides, the election is months away. We need to take action now." Julie smiled. "Actually, we are doing something." She suddenly had all of Smythe's attention. "Oh?" Sheryl said. "I shouldn't talk about that."

Norbert took out his phone and made his call. "Hello, ma'am." He kept his eyes on the agents. "I can't say my name out loud, but I'm at the Pure America barbecue. I have a couple of Secret Service agents here, and my commander wants them gone. He told me to call you. Yes, ma'am. I'll wait." During the silence, Tawni kept her heavy guns aimed steadily at the agents. She made sure they had a good view straight down the barrels. Norbert handed his phone to one of the men. "It's for you." The agent put it against his ear. "Yes? Who is this?" His eyes widened. "Mr. President!" He snapped to attention. "Yes, sir! Director Seferis ordered us to come here. Yes, sir. Right away, sir!" He gave the phone back to Norbert. "You'll be leaving now?" Norbert said. The agent gulped and nodded. "Yes." Norbert pointed to the road. "Don't let us keep you." Both men in black hurried off. Tawni chuckled. "That guy was about to piss his pants." "Yeah." Norbert nodded. "I'm starting to enjoy this mission. It's different." "And we make a good team." She smiled at him.

Seferis stared silently for a long moment. Finally, he said, "Those men were just observers. They weren't going to interfere." "That's a weak excuse." "I apologize, sir." Haley frowned. "I'm flat-out ordering you to keep your men away until I say otherwise." Seferis gave Ethel a resentful glance. "Excuse me, sir, but when did this woman get jurisdictional priority over the Secret Service? It's our mission to protect you. If there's a threat, we need to be involved." "These are special circumstances." "Why?" Why indeed? Haley thought. He looked at Ethel. She was the most intriguing person he had ever met. He still didn't know the limits of her capabilities if there were limits at all. Even the laws of nature were no match for her fierce will. The rest of the world seemed dull and plodding in comparison. She had also proven herself to be an invaluable friend and ally. If he had to pick a side, the choice was obvious. "Because I say so," Haley said to Seferis. "On a related topic, I'd like you to stop spending so much time around me. You're not assigned to my protection detail. You don't have to follow me all the time. You're the Director of the Secret Service. That means you tell other people how to protect me instead of doing it yourself. Frankly, you don't need to be in Chicago at all. Last I checked, your office is in Washington. Now get out of my sight before you disappoint me again." Seferis stormed off and disappeared down a stairway.

Ethel's eyes widened at his approach. He leaned over and whispered to her, "Would you like to dance, madam?" "I can't." She shook her head. "It's a sweet offer though." The rejection stung. "Why not?" "People would wonder who I am. It's bad enough we're being seen together. Touching each other is unacceptable." "This is a closed function. Invited guests only. No reporters." "I'm very sorry." She looked down. "I want to dance, but when we're with other people, we have to be all business."

She shook her head. "What's wrong with me? I shouldn't be talking like this with an outsider. I can't answer that question. Sorry." They continued to dance in the warm sunlight. He felt her muscles finally loosen up a little. She put her head against his chest. "What are you thinking about?" he whispered in her ear. "Something I heard recently," she said. "I'll paraphrase. God has no use for a woman who can't accept love." "That's a little harsh." "It was a warning and a promise." "A promise of what?" he said. He felt wetness on his chest. He lifted her face and saw tears on her cheeks. Her smooth, brown skin was beautiful. For the first time, it looked properly illuminated. The strange darkness was gone, and she stood fully in the sunlight. "Roy," she whispered, "this is dangerous. It appears both of us had heart surgery today." She abruptly dashed away, vaulted a railing, and dropped out of sight. He ran over to look. She had disappeared. Boreas joined him and peered over the railing at the side of the ship. "Where did she go?" Haley said. "I don't know," Boreas replied in his deep, scratchy voice. "I've never seen her act this way. She's usually the last person to get emotional." "Are you going to look for her?"

"That's no problem. We do custom builds, too." Olaf was carrying a revolver in a holster on his hip. Aaron pointed at the weapon and said, "That must be one of your favorites. Can I see?" Olaf handed it over. Aaron recognized it as a modern reproduction of the classic Smith & Wesson Model 57. It held six rounds of .41 caliber ammunition. The blue finish was flawless. Aaron cycled the firing mechanism a few times. "It feels a bit sloppy." "It shoots faster that way," Olaf said. "I suppose." At the cost of accuracy. "What kind of guns do you have?" Aaron reached under his shirt and pulled out a HK Mark 23. A four-inch suppressor was screwed onto the barrel. It was a relatively heavy gun which fired .45 caliber bullets with great accuracy. "Whoa," Olaf said. The other people at the party were starting to gather around. Several men murmured words of admiration. "I paid for a few upgrades," Aaron said. "Titanium frame. Carbon grip. Check out the ammunition." Olaf took the gun and popped out the magazine. He stared at the bullets inside. "What the fuck? These are cop killers." "Just in case I have to kill a cop." Aaron grabbed the gun and put the magazine back where it belonged. He was uncomfortable with other people touching his weapons. Olaf smiled. "I'm starting to like you."

Meanwhile, Aaron picked out three ribs for himself. He tried to make them the same size as Olaf's. Aaron tossed the bones out to twenty feet. It looked like he was going to duplicate the trick. He rehearsed his shot sequence several times without pulling the trigger. He practiced until the movements were precise. "Hold the tablecloth up in front of me," he said. "Block my view." Smythe and Sheryl held the sides of the tablecloth and moved it into position. Aaron couldn't see the bones anymore. He had to aim from memory alone. He fired three times without hesitation, putting three holes in the plastic. Smythe and Sheryl dropped the tablecloth to reveal three broken ribs. The stunned audience was silent. Even the legionnaires looked impressed, although they were trying to be cool. Aaron claimed the money for the wager, and nobody complained. Olaf came over. "That was un-fucking-believable." "Thanks," Aaron said. "I thought I was a sharp shooter, but you made me look like a chump." "Sorry." "It's OK." Olaf pounded Aaron on the back. "I can't stay mad at a guy who might buy a lot of hardware from me." Olaf laughed out loud. "I'll check out your store next chance I get," Aaron said. Smythe and Sheryl hovered at the edge of the conversation. They were listening. "I just wish I could put my guns to proper use," Aaron added bitterly.

"Why, sir?" Sheryl said. "Just in case." They started walking back to the car. Aaron took out his phone to call the legate. It was time to give her an update. She didn't answer. Her phone didn't even ring, which meant it was turned off or destroyed. Aaron's heart started beating faster. He quickly dialed Boreas' number. The bodyguard answered immediately, "Hello?" "This is Aaron. I'm trying to reach the legate." "She disappeared." "What?" Aaron said in too loud a voice. "Why didn't you tell me right away?" "I don't think she's in danger. She had a tender moment with Haley on the cruise ship and then freaked out. I haven't seen her since. I assume she's hiding until she calms down." "What kind of tender moment?" Boreas hesitated. "It's possible she's falling in love with him." This news stunned Aaron. "That would explain Wesley's mysterious comment on the phone." "If she shows up, I'll tell her to call you. I'm still with the President. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Haley was in bed when something woke him up. The clock showed 1:30 AM. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed movement. There was an intruder in his bedroom. The presidential suite was guarded day and night by squads of Secret Service agents who controlled the whole floor. In addition, Boreas was sleeping on the couch outside Haley's bedroom. He knew of only one person who might be able to slip past all that security. "Hello, Ethel," Haley said. "I'm glad your back. I was worried." He turned on the nightstand light. Ethel was standing at the foot of the bed. She was still wearing the gray dress from the party on the cruise ship, but now it was dirty and torn. She held her silver-plated machetes in her hands. Blood was spattered across her chest, and it didn't seem to be hers. Her pupils were so large there was almost no white left. She looked like a demonic killer from a horror movie. Boreas appeared at the doorway wearing only his underwear. "Ma'am!" Ethel faced him and spoke in a humble tone, "I'm very sorry about my behavior today. It was inexcusable, and no apology is sufficient. I will say the madness has passed, and it won't happen again. Let me speak with Roy privately." "Yes, ma'am." Boreas backed out and closed the door. Ethel turned back to Haley. She was more frightening now than ever before. Her machetes were smeared with blood. Her whole body was poised in an attack position. "Whose blood is that?" he said. She looked down at her chest. "I was running throug...

Why did this happen, God? she thought. Why did I fall in love with a man I can't have? Why is my life so out of control? Because the time had come, God replied. She rolled her eyes. The Lord rarely gave her a straight answer. Ethel sat on the bed beside Haley and tapped him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and became startled when he saw her. She didn't mind. She always got that reaction. "We have a problem," she said. "My man, Aaron, was just arrested by the FBI." He sat up. "Why?" "He was with Olaf Wagner, leader of Pure America. They were shooting weapons together. Aaron was about to get information out of Olaf when the FBI showed up and arrested both of them." "Were the weapons dangerous?" "Knowing Aaron," she said, "I'm sure they were extremely dangerous and illegal." "Then the FBI acted properly." "I asked Director Felt to look into the matter. The FBI was tailing Olaf because of a request from the Secret Service. To be specific, Director Seferis made the request personally." Haley's face fell with obvious disappointment. "Now, we have a mess," Ethel said. "If Aaron is simply released, Olaf will become suspicious. A valuable source of information will be lost. I did ask Director Felt to keep the prisoners together so Aaron can continue to work on Olaf, but Aaron can't stay in jail for long. He has a team to lead and crucial duties to perform. He must be released this morning." "What do you want me to do?"

even know you existed before?" "I can't tell you," Ethel said. He grunted. "You and your damned secrets." "If I started revealing the truth, you'd become one of us, and that would be very problematic. It's better this way. Did you talk to Seferis yet?" "That's my next unpleasant task." His shoulders sagged. He finished getting dressed. She turned back around and found him wearing a blue suit with a tiny American flag pinned to the lapel. He was so handsome she wanted to kiss him on the lips. This is a disaster, she thought. God, are you amused?

Very much, God replied. Did you think I would forget what you did to Aaron and Marina last winter? Ethel and Haley left the suite together. Secret Service agents were posted up and down the hallway. The men in black body armor snapped to attention when they saw the President walking past. "By the way, how did you get into my suite last night?" "I descended from the roof and entered through the window," Ethel said. "That's insane. Did you use a rope?" "No. Why would I?" He furrowed his brow.

"What's wrong, sir?" Seferis said. "The FBI arrested one of Miss Pickenpaugh's people this morning," Haley said, "and it's your fault. You asked the FBI to investigate Pure America after I ordered you to keep your hands off. You tried to sneak one past me." Ethel knew how she would've handled such blatant insubordination and betrayal. Seferis would already be a headless corpse.

He stood at attention. "Those morons at the FBI weren't supposed to interfere. I was very clear, sir." "That's not the point." Seferis glanced at Ethel with obvious loathing. "My job is to protect you and investigate threats against your life. If you're telling me I'm not allowed to do my job, maybe I should find another one." "That's not what I'm saying at all. You can investigate all the threats you want except for Pure America. Another department has that case." "Now she's a department?" Seferis raised his eyebrows. "This is an official reprimand, George," Haley said. "The next time it happens, maybe you will lose your job. Don't make me look like a fool again." "Yes, sir." Seferis lowered his eyes. Haley headed back to his suite at a quick walk. Ethel stayed with him. "That's it?" she said. "He just gets a warning?" "Seferis is a good man. Extremely dedicated. I'm not going to fire him for trying to do the right thing. I don't mind people making mistakes as long as their intentions are noble." She shook her head in dismay. His response made no sense to her. He sighed. "I need coffee.

"Your shift starts in fifteen minutes." "Yes, sir. I didn't forget." The side door buzzed. Kamal hurried out of the entry chamber and went straight to the kitchen. He started the coffee machine. While that was going, he ate a banana and a bagel. Shifts in the security booth lasted eight hours, and there were no breaks for meals. He could only ask his teammates to bring him snacks and drinks. At least the booth had its own restroom. The coffee finished brewing. He filled the biggest mug he could find, carried it into his science lab, and sat behind his desk. While he slurped his coffee, he quickly scanned the latest science news on the internet. Maybe somebody had discovered something interesting during the night. The lead story made him gag. An explosion in the Institut de Recherche Nucléaire had killed some prominent experts on fusion technology. They were the scientists Kamal had sent e-mail to. His hand shaking, he put the mug on his desk. He read the reports again and again, hoping the words

magically change. The conclusion was inescapable. The scientists had tried to build the twins' "super-stabilized plasma bottle" with disastrous results. Smythe's voice came down from overhead speakers. "It's time. Kamal? Did you hear me? It's your turn in the booth. I need to go home and sleep." Kamal stood up. He couldn't feel his legs as he walked off. * * *

One yelled, "Olaf Wagner, Rip Sonder, you've been summoned to court." Olaf and Aaron were escorted to a large courtroom with wood paneling on all the walls. The evidence was neatly arranged on a long table. The Heckler & Koch GMG was the largest item on display, but it had plenty of friends. The FBI agents had found three illegal guns and two knives on Aaron. Olaf's contribution to the collection was a .50 caliber Barrett M99, a .30-06 Springfield, and an Armsel Striker. The last weapon was a fully automatic shotgun with a cylindrical magazine. If Aaron ever had to fight a mob of flesh-eating zombies, the Striker would be his weapon of choice. The courtroom had only one person in the audience. Sheryl was sitting in a back corner. A blonde wig and sunglasses didn't fool Aaron for a second. The judge was a middle-aged man with gray eyebrows and a brown hairpiece. "Regarding the cases of the State versus Olaf Wagner, and the State versus Rip Sonder, I have reviewed the evidence carefully. The principles of ab initio and lis alibi pendens apply in this situation. My ruling is there is insufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal indictment. The prisoners will be released immediately. The FBI may retain what little evidence is available until a stronger case can be brought before me. I must thank Mr. Wagner and Mr. Sonder for their patience in this matter." Aaron struggled to keep a straight face. There were at least a dozen felonies sitting on the evidence table in plain v...

"What?" Haley said. "We don't actually know who they are, sir. They left before they were identified." "I don't understand. Two federal agents discovered a bomb that could've killed me and didn't stick around to claim credit?" Seferis nodded. "It does seem strange." Haley looked over at Ethel. She took a small notepad out of her pocket and scribbled a note. Her hand was a blur as she wrote. She gave the note to Boreas. He pushed his way over to Haley, handed the note to him, and went back to Ethel. Haley examined the note. It read, "The technician was a member of Pure America. Tell Seferis he can arrest the whole bunch now. My people have moved on." Ethel's handwriting was graceful and clean. Haley gave the note to Seferis. The Director stared at it for a long moment. "Well?" Haley said. "Would you like to make a comment?" Seferis cleared his throat. "This is unexpected, sir." "The mystery of the anonymous FBI agents has been solved. They work for Miss Pickenpaugh. We're all in her debt, again." "She could just be claiming credit. We don't have any proof she did anything." "Say that to her face." Seferis looked over at Ethel. She was smiling. "I refuse to be a mediator this time," Haley said. "If you have a problem with her, deal with her directly. Being apologetic and thankful might be the wisest and safest approach. Trying to arrest her seems ill-advised. Dismissed."

want to know their exact plans. There are still too many question marks." "The Secret Service will get that information," Seferis said. "We have done this kind of thing before. What other threats are you investigating?" "The last time I gave you a sneak peek, you caused me a lot of grief. That's not going to happen again. Develop your own damn leads." The two men stared at each other. "Thank you, George," Haley said. "Could you please leave us now?" Seferis shot one more hostile glance at Ethel and walked off. Haley leaned towards Aaron. "Can I ask you a few questions in private?" "Go ahead." Aaron shrugged. Haley turned to Ethel. "If you don't mind." "Huh?" She raised her eyebrows. "You want me to leave?" Aaron shifted his feet and grimaced. "Please," Haley said. Ethel snarled. "I'll just go pick some more pockets." She walked off with an expression of annoyance. Boreas followed her. "Wow," Aaron said. "She must really like you. I've never seen her so compliant. She was almost nice about it." Haley stood close to him. "Do you know Ethel well?" "As well as anybody, I suppose. How do you know her name?" "She told me. She also mentioned you're Aaron." Aaron stared.

"Don't worry." Haley patted his beefy arm. "I'll keep your names a secret. Tell me about Ethel." "Why?" "She fascinates me. She has the energy and intensity of five ordinary women. I can't stop thinking about her." Aaron glanced to either side. "The most important thing is to always treat her with respect. She earned it. And don't bicker with her no matter what your feelings are. That's bad for your health. She'll listen to reason as long as she gets the last word." "I already determined that much," Haley said earnestly. "I watched her practice with her machetes." "She was showing off for you? Unbelievable." Aaron shook his head. "I've never seen her act this way." "How many people has she killed? Tens? Hundreds?" "Keep going." Haley winced. "She's a powerful force for good. She can also chop off your head in a blink. Always keep both facts firmly in mind as your relationship develops." Aaron snorted. "You're a lucky man. A woman like that can take you places." "I'm already the President. What places are left?" Aaron walked off with a knowing smile. An instant later, Ethel was back at Haley's side. Her sudden appearance startled him. "Well?" she said. "Did he tell you anything juicy about me?" He raised his chin. "Why do you think we were talking about you?" She pouted. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Her astonishment was priceless.

"Shouldn't you be picking pockets, Miss Pickenpaugh?" he said. "Right." She looked around. "Pockets." She ...

"She's with the President," he said. "She's protecting him." Marina stared with wide eyes. "The President of the United States?" Aaron nodded. "The craziest part is she has fallen in love with him." "What?" She cocked her head. "I think we just had a glitch in the connection." "You heard me. Grumpy old Ethel and Roy Haley are an item." She was silent for a long moment. A smile spread across her face. "That may be the most delicious bit of gossip I have ever heard. Have they slept together?" "I don't know," he said, "and I'm not going to ask." "Did you give her the speech about the dangers of love?" She smirked. "How it puts everybody at risk?" "I'll let you take that bullet, dear. Or machete in this case." "They must be adorable together. Take a picture and post it on the internet. Draw little hearts around her face." "You're enjoying this far too much," he said. "I love you. I have to get back to work. A little voice in my head is telling me this will be a busy night." She kissed the air. "I love you, too. Don't beat yourself up about Kamal. It's not your fault." "Sure." He got up and turned off the camera.

"Why didn't you inform me immediately?" "Both of us were busy, ma'am," he said. "I felt it could wait a few hours." "It couldn't! I have to call Europe." Snarling, she dialed a number on her phone. "Petri, this is Ethel. We have a problem." She related the information Aaron had given her. He presumed she was talking to the legatus legionis of Europe. Aaron made sure to be very quiet. Norbert and Tawni had wide eyes. After the call ended, Ethel said, "Petri will do his best to clean up the mess in France. He'll keep the forbidden knowledge from spreading. You have to deal with Kamal." "You want me to retire him, ma'am?" Aaron said softly. "His offense is very disappointing. There is no excuse for such a severe lapse in judgment, especially for a long-time Spear like him. I would certainly kill him. Roy would probably let him off with a severe warning. There is an argument for either choice. You're Kamal's commander. Do what you think is right." That wasn't the response he wanted to hear. If she had simply told him to kill Kamal, Aaron would've done so without question. Instead, he had to make a decision and live with the guilt. "Yes, ma'am," Aaron said glumly. Ethel sighed and looked down. There was an expression of sadness on her face that he had rarely seen. "You feel bad about Kamal? I know you worked together for many years." "Yes," she said, "but that's not the only thing. I think I did irreparable harm to my relationship with Roy tonight. He kissed me earlier. It was ...

Haley looked at the chaos outside through the open doorway. It was a sea of flashing lights, wandering people, and stopped cars. The police were trying to impose some kind of order, but they could barely get themselves organized. Protestors carrying signs added unneeded spice to the mix. Darrow sat on the stretcher across from Haley. "I noticed you were talking to an unusual Secret Service agent. An older black woman. I've never seen her before. You had a nice, little conversation." "Miss Pickenpaugh," Haley said. The color drained from Darrow's face. "My God. What was she doing here?" "Saving my life, apparently. How do you know her?" "She's only a name to me. That's the first time I've seen her face. I know a little more about her predecessor, the legendary Mr. Nightbird." "There was somebody before her?" Haley said. Darrow nodded. "Those people go way back. Visit the Library of Congress and ask the Librarian to show you the secret diary of Thomas Jefferson. There are some interesting revelations best kept under lock and key. But back to Mr. Nightbird. It happened when I was the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency." Haley leaned forward and sipped his hot chocolate.

"What about the torture and murder? Was that civilized?" "Roy, you're not listening. Your real enemy is still on the loose. We don't have any idea who it is. You're in tremendous danger!" Haley gritted his teeth. It seemed she honestly didn't understand why he had an issue with her behavior. Templeton appeared alarmed and confused. Seferis was fuming. "You can't commit major felonies like they don't matter," Haley said. "Do you obey any laws at all?" "Yes," Ethel said, "very strict laws, and my Boss makes sure of it, so you can stuff that attitude and be grateful I'm on your side." "I might be more appreciative if I knew who your boss was or if I knew anything about you!" "You know too much already. You're really starting to aggravate me." "I'm sorry," Haley said, "but I've heard the stories. I've seen how you act. You solve every problem by inflicting pain and death. There is no line you won't cross. That's just not the world I live in." "Good bye. I'll be in touch." There was a click followed by a dial tone, then silence. Templeton's eyes were wide. "Who the hell was that?" "You really don't want to know." Haley shook his head. "Sir," Seferis said, "when are we going to do something about her?" "What do you suggest?"

"Arrest her?" "Be my guest," Haley said, "but don't forget she's not alone. If you manage to capture her, which is highly unlikely, her organization will come after you. They'll give you the same treatment as Olaf. When I'm at your funeral, I'll tell everybody how brave you were right up until the end." Seferis frowned and looked down. "It seems we must deal with Miss Pickenpaugh on her terms." Haley sagged. "Now we just have to figure out what those terms are."

"I'm very sorry, ma'am," Kamal said. "And it couldn't have happened at a worse time." Aaron looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean, ma'am?" Ethel got out of her chair and began to walk around the room. Her footsteps were unnaturally swift. It looked like she was running, but to her it was just a gentle stroll. "This is sensitive information," she said. "The Society has been extremely active lately. We've had more missions in the last four months than the previous four years. I started the summer with a total of 99 legionnaires and commanders. I'm down to 91. God has been giving out gifts at a record pace, four in just the last month, and they were powerful. In the entire history of the Gray Spear Society, there has never been a time like this." "The whole division?" Aaron said. "The whole world. All the legates are reporting the same

The sound of a snapping twig made Ethel look down. Tawni was practicing with her sword in the shadows between the trees. Solid darkness encased the blade like black paint. As it swept through the air, it left broad swaths of smoke behind. When Ethel had joined the Society, gifts had been rare and special. No legionnaire got one until at least five years of service. It was exceptional for a cell to have more than one member with a gift, and some had none. Aaron's arrival had turned that timetable on its head. He had received a gift on his very first mission. No other legionnaire in history could make that claim. Since then, many other young legionnaires had also benefited from the Lord's new generosity. Tawni was a perfect example. After only four months of service, she was already quite powerful. Her training was progressing at a supernatural pace. Smythe's astonishing healing ability put him firmly in the top echelon of the Society, and he had waited less than a year. "Why are you doing this?" Ethel whispered. "I need a strong army," the Lord replied. "You have one." "It must get stronger quickly." "Because of the twins?" she said. "Change is coming. My enemies are fearful and desperate. There will be war. The path to the future is a river of blood." Ethel was shivering. The Almighty didn't make statements like these lightly. The green mist faded away.

"What's taking so long? It seems like a simple request." "The Air Force is using some interesting, new security protocols which will require analysis. My usual techniques aren't getting through. Leanna, I think we need to use the hammer. This task can't wait." "I agree," Leanna said. "Initiating." Aaron was shocked to hear her voice. It had been weeks since Leanna had spoken a word. He had started to wonder if she had forgotten how to talk. There was a long pause. "General Arnold Joseph is the man you're after," Bethany said. "We found evidence of direct communication between him and Major Tom Boyd. There is something else. This morning, General Joseph had a Moth-man UAV shipped to Illinois. It seems suspicious." "What is that?" Aaron said. "I'm sorry, sir, but we need to get back to our experiment. Perry will do that research for you." "Of course. Thank you." Aaron and Perry left the laboratory. As they walked back to Aaron's office, he said, "What is the hammer?"