Angels Don't Die (Madeleine Toche Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

a little more than a week. Joseph, who do we know that might owe us a favor and be in a position to find out if Tracy is okay?” John asked.
                  “I know Brad Smith is with army intelligence now, stationed in DC.  He’ll be cautious about it, but I think he'd do just about anything you asked of him, Colonel, you did save his life,” Joseph answered.
                  “It's not a matter of whether he will or not, it's if he can do it and not break any rules. I don't want anyone losing their job just because our grown son's call is a few days overdue,” John said.
                  Joseph shook his head. “There's the Russian problem too, Colonel.  We're both vying for an advantage in the region without overtly seeming to try to do so.  The KGB is snooping around, just like we are.  I doubt we're grabbing each other's agents, but I'm sure the CIA knows if an NSA agent has been taken. Both the USSR and America have too much at stake to start a war there,” Joseph said, reaching for the coffee pot on the stove.  He moved over to the kitchen table, seating himself as Karen slid the plate of cookies none of them wanted to eat in front of him.
                  The room was silent, except for the measured tick of an old wall clock.  The sun shone through a white curtain hanging over the kitchen sink onto the yellow wall, piercing the shadows and announcing the day.
                  “We might not start it but either the Arabs will or the Israelis, or both.  There's no way the USSR or Americans are going to be seen to start anything.  The death of one agent won't matter in the scope of open warfare,” Joseph said, breaking the silence.
                  “Then what do we do?” John said leaning forward in his chair.
                  “Before we can decide that, we have to have some reliable intelligence,” Joseph said.
                  “I don't trust the phone, so I'm going to DC myself,” John said.
                  “Keep it on the QT Colonel; you're not exactly unknown in Washington.”
                  “No, I suppose not. You and Karen stay here so one of you is by the phone at all times.  I’ll try Brad Smith first and see where that gets me.  There could be a very simple explanation.”
                  “Karen and I will monitor the phone while you’re gone.  I'm sure it's just an extended training exercise, some kind of black out conditions,” Joseph said reassuringly.
                  “Let’s hope so.  I'll be sure to tread lightly,” John said.
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
                  John had been to the Pentagon on a couple of occasions and the sheer magnitude of the place always impressed him. He strode up to the reception desk.
                  “I’m Colonel Trunce, I’m looking for Captain Bradley Smith, 86 th Airborne,” John said to a Sergeant seated behind the desk.
                  “Is he expecting you, Sir?”  The soldier said, his eyes drawn to the impressive array of medals on John’s chest.
                  “No, but if he’s busy I’d like to leave him a phone message.”  John smiled as the man picked up a phone and dialed an extension.
                  “An escort will be right down to take you up.”
                  “Thank you.”
                  John leaned against the counter, his easy posture hiding his discomfort in having to come to the Pentagon at all.  His worry grew with each day.  He knew his best chance would be to look Smith in the eye when he asked for the favor.
                  Within a few minutes a smartly dressed private walked up
                  “If you'll follow me, sir, I'll take you to Captain Smith.”
                  “Lead the way, private,” John said