Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society, #8)

by Alex Siegel

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.