Danger Close by James Sumner (classic novels for teens txt) 📕

that might help. When he found nothing on the ground around him, he realized the answer must lie in his arms. He looked down at what remained of Miller, steeling himself against the horror before him.

Miller was the last one to drop, which means the bullet stopped with him. He gently tilted what remained of his head to the side, revealing what was previously hidden from view. Jericho’s eyes narrowed as he studied the gaping wound.

Then he saw it.

Lodged in the cheekbone, just in front of the ear, something metallic glistened against the deep crimson. With a grimace, he reached inside and plucked it free, holding it between his finger and thumb.

The bullet was unlike anything he had ever seen. It looked like a drill bit, fashioned to a lethal point at one end. He remembered the noise he had heard a split-second after the gunshot. The whirring.

He didn’t understand what he was looking at, nor what had happened, but now wasn’t the time to figure it out. He needed to ensure the crowd stayed safe. He also needed to apprehend anyone from the Palugan military who shouldn’t be there. They had to have been behind the attack.

He looked up at the operative nearest to him.

“You, take this.” He thrust the bullet into the man’s hand. “I want you to get that back to Santa Clarita. You guard it with your life, and you don’t let anything or anyone stop you. Do you understand me?”

The man nodded.

“You do not rest until you place that bullet in Moses Buchanan’s hand. Go.”

The operative stood, adjusted his helmet and the grip on his rifle, then fastened the bullet away in the pocket of his pants. He set off running into the crowd and out of sight.

Jericho knelt on the stage, surrounded by what remained of his handpicked team. He looked over at President Herrera, staring into his wide, lifeless eyes as he cradled Miller’s body in his arms.

It had only taken two seconds for the entire world to change.

7

Julie sat alone at the bar, elbows resting on either side of a half-empty bottle of beer, as if protecting it from danger. Every other stool at the bar was empty. Behind her, only a handful of tables were occupied.

It was quiet before lunch.

In front of her, the barman paced behind the bar, cleaning glasses and keeping the area tidy. Julie thought he was trying to look busier than he was to keep his manager happy.

A large TV mounted on the wall behind the bar showed a local news channel. It was playing live footage from the president’s public address in Paluga. She had spoken to Jericho a few moments ago and was now watching him in the background, professional and uncomfortable with the large crowd, waiting for the president to take the stage.

She took a long swig of her beer and let out a heavy sigh. She had barely slept over the last couple of days. Only one of her brothers lived in town, and his house was full, so she was stuck in a hotel.

It had been a long time since she had time to herself with no work responsibilities. Under any other circumstances, she would have done her best to enjoy the downtime, regardless of how guilty she felt. But right now, the last thing she really wanted was to be alone with nothing to do. It left her with far too much time to think about everything had happened, and she craved a distraction.

Two of her sisters-in-law had sorted through most of her father’s affairs and belongings. Her brothers couldn’t face it. She wasn’t sure she could have, either, but she would have tried just to keep herself busy.

She stared blankly at the screen and finished her beer. She looked over at the barman to catch his attention.

“Can I get another?” she asked.

He smiled at her sympathetically. “Sure thing.”

He reached beneath the counter and retrieved a fresh bottle. He placed it in front of her and popped the cap off.

“Thanks,” she said.

The barman nodded courteously and walked away. He had worked there long enough to know a troubled soul when he saw one. It was best to give them space unless they invited conversation.

Julie took another sip, still lost in the news. Every now and then, the camera panned across the stage, and she saw Jericho at the back, giving orders. She smiled to herself.

She missed him. Despite the first impression his size and unshakeable professionalism made, Jericho was a truly kind man. Gentle and compassionate. She imagined few people ever got to see that side of him. She felt blessed to be one of them. She knew he would comfort her right now if he could.

It didn’t hurt that he could bench press her, either.

Another smile crept across her face. She took a long swig of beer as she recalled a fond memory, enjoying the moment of respite from the grief that had consumed her life.

Then a voice pulled her from her daydream.

“Fisher?”

Slightly confused, she turned to see a man standing beside her, smiling. He had stylishly unkempt hair and two days’ stubble. He wore a fitted suit jacket and pants, a casual T-shirt, and business shoes without socks.

“Julie Fisher?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Um… yeah. That’s me. Do I know you?”

The man laughed, placed his own drink on the bar, and leaned next to it. “It’s Bobby. Bobby Greaves. From high school? We had chemistry together, last period on Fridays.”

Julie stared for a moment, trying to remember him. When she couldn’t, she realized she needed to be polite before it turned awkward.

“Yeah, of course… Bobby,” she said. “How’ve you been?”

His smile broadened. “I’m great, yeah. Doing really well, actually. What about you? I haven’t seen you since we graduated. No one ever really knew what happened to you. Did you go off to college?”

Julie smiled politely, trying to hide how overwhelmed she felt by his enthusiasm.

“I… ah… I joined the military, actually,” she replied casually. “Spent a lot of