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

Buchanan remained composed. “Ray, calm down. It’s not safe for him or any of our people out there to be moving around too much. And I need someone I can trust on the ground to help me solve this goddamn nightmare.”

Collins relaxed in his seat, breathing deeply. “What in the blue hell happened out there? Do we even know?”

Buchanan shook his head. “I spoke to Jericho briefly last night. We know a little more than what the rest of the world saw but not by much.”

“How is it out there?”

“It’s pandemonium. The military has effectively taken control of the country. Soldiers are patrolling major cities and towns, forcing people to stay indoors. Our people have been confined to their outposts.”

Collins shook his head. “Christ… Jerry must be loving that.”

“Jericho’s in the palace with what’s left of his own squad. He understands the importance of cooperation with the Palugan military right now. He’s doing his best to get us some answers. Only thing we have so far makes no sense.”

Collins frowned. “And that is?”

“Jericho said that—”

A loud bang disturbed them. Both men looked over to see the door wide open and Julie standing in the threshold. Her face was contorted with anger she didn’t know where to direct.

“What the hell is going on out there?” she yelled.

Behind her, Kim hovered outside. She peered over Julie’s shoulder to catch Buchanan’s gaze, mouthed sorry, then quietly shut the door.

Julie marched over to the desk. “Seriously, what the hell was that yesterday?” she shouted. “And why isn’t Jericho back here?”

Buchanan sighed patiently, holding his hand up to calm her. “Take a seat. I was just explaining—”

“No!” She folded her arms across her chest. “You’d better tell me how we could let this happen and why Jericho isn’t standing here right now.”

Buchanan’s expression hardened. “Fisher, sit the hell down!”

His voice boomed, catching Collins and Julie off-guard. She held his gaze a moment longer, then sat beside Collins.

Buchanan took a moment to compose himself before speaking again.

“Jericho is safe,” he said. “He and his team are in the presidential palace. No one is allowed near the airport right now, so none of our people are going anywhere. I want Jericho there because I trust him, and I know I can rely on him to get us some answers.”

Julie nodded and looked away, hiding the embarrassment after her outburst.

“I was just about to say, the only piece of intel he could get me so far was that there was only one gunshot.”

Collins frowned. “How can that be right? We saw four people drop on that stage.”

Buchanan nodded. “I know.”

“Four people from one bullet? That’s not possible.”

“I know,” he said again.

Julie looked up. “So, you’ve spoken to Jericho?”

Buchanan’s expression softened again. “I did, last night. Briefly.”

“How is he, Moses?”

“As you would expect. He’s mad as hell. He feels guilty. Somehow responsible. This happened on his watch. You know the man probably better than any of us. You know he won’t rest until this is solved.”

“No, he won’t.”

Buchanan shrugged. “Another reason I’m glad he’s there right now.”

Collins shifted in his seat. “Can we talk about what happened there, exactly? I mean, the laws of physics being broken aside for a moment, the president just got taken out. We got any idea who’s behind it?”

Julie looked at Buchanan, intrigued.

Buchanan shook his head. “No clue. Jericho’s money is on the military.”

“Makes sense,” said Julie, “given why we were there in the first place.”

“I agree,” said Buchanan. “Jericho said General Guerrero had publicly opposed President Herrera since he took office. He also said Guerrero has almost two-thirds of the country’s armed forces in his pocket.”

“Jesus…” muttered Collins.

“So, he thinks this was the general’s power play? To start a coup?”

Buchanan shrugged. “Based on conversations he had with Herrera the day before, that’s the working theory right now. Only problem is that Guerrero had most of the military on base, awaiting orders. No sign of any movement. The only soldiers on the ground were the ones loyal to the president, and they’ve been working alongside our own troops since we first went over there.”

Collins brushed the back of his hand against the rough stubble on his face. “If it wasn’t this general, then who? Seems a bit coincidental for all this not to be related somehow.”

“I completely agree,” said Buchanan. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I doubt the universe is that lazy. But until we know more, we have to sit tight and wait for Jericho to investigate.”

He glanced sideways at the light still blinking on his phone.

“Do you need to take that?” asked Julie, noticing the look of defeat and apprehension on his face.

“Yes,” he replied wearily. “But I also had to take the million other urgent calls in the last hour. It can wait.”

Collins and Julie exchanged a worried look.

“Ah, boss, I don’t mean to speak out of turn or nothing,” said Collins, “but when did ya last get some shut-eye?”

Buchanan smiled. “I don’t have time to sleep, I’m afraid.”

Julie knew he was tired. She figured it had been at least a full day since he slept. Probably longer. She also fully comprehended the gravity of what had happened. A world leader being killed was a global event. The fact it happened while Jericho was in charge of the protection detail was bad enough, but there was something else weighing on him. Something he wasn’t saying.

“What aren’t you telling us?” she asked firmly.

Buchanan held her gaze for a moment, then let out a heavy breath and looked away.

“Many things,” he said, “but they’re not your problem to worry about.”

“Due respect, boss,” said Collins, “but we’re the only operatives on ya payroll who report directly to ya good self. If it ain’t our problem, who else is gonna help?”

Buchanan looked at them both in turn, then rolled his eyes.

“This situation is worse than you both realize,” he said.

“Worse how?” asked Julie.

“The political fallout of President Herrera’s death affects more than just Paluga.”

“The U.S.?”

“It affects GlobaTech. It happened while he was