Buying Time Read Free Page B

in this room,” Angela said. “He just helped snag two big-time drug dealers.”
    “Rob’s had his share of undercover cases, too.” Zack gave him a fatherly pat on the back.
    Rob, in turn, looked admiringly at Jon. “Not nearly as many as Jon.”
    Zack’s face reddened and he glared at Rob.
    “Then it’s settled,” Angela replied with glee. “Jon’s our choice. Now we need a name for our task force. Any ideas?”
    “I’m way ahead of you.” Jon paused for dramatic effect. “Operation Death Scam.”
    They all groaned in unison.
    “Too depressing,” Angela said.
    “It should be depressing,” Jon protested. “It’s a depressing business.”
    “How about Operation Buying Time?” Tyler offered. “That’s really what these people are trying to do. Many of them use the money for experimental medical treatments in hopes of extending their lives.”
    They all paused to mull over the suggestion.
    “Too bland,” Zack said. “We need something with some real punch to it.”
    “I like it,” Angela said, overruling him. “Operation Buying Time it is.”
    Zack muttered something under his breath as Angela dismissed the team.
    “Who wants to join my pool?” Zack asked, as everyone headed out. “I’m taking bets on who the President’s going to name as our new boss.”
    Six weeks ago, U.S. Attorney General Stanley Harrison was caught leaving a penthouse suite on the Vegas strip with a high-priced call girl. If he hadn’t paid for the room with his government credit card, he might still have a job.
    “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you propose illegal betting in the workplace,” Angela chided him.
    “Aw, lighten up,” Zack replied. “You can be such a killjoy sometimes.”
    Angela gathered the rest of her papers and headed back to her office. While Zack’s bravado often got on her nerves, she otherwise liked working with him. He was smart, tenacious and had good instincts. But as the lead attorney, she’d probably have to spend as much time containing Zack’s ego as she did managing the case.
    Considering the fragile state of her personal life, she didn’t need the added hassle of any headaches from Zack Hargrove.

CHAPTER 3
     
    Y es, Mr. President. Of course, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President.”
    Lawrence Erickson squeezed the telephone receiver and struggled to keep his emotions in check. A tall, athletic man in his late fifties, Erickson’s light blue eyes accented sandy hair badly thinning near the crown.
    As he stood behind his desk, talking to the President—the President of the friggin’ United States of America—he grinned down at his law partner Roland Becker, seated in front of him. President Richard Bancroft had just informed Erickson that he was among the final candidates being considered to fill the recently vacated job of U.S. Attorney General. Was he interested?
    Hell yes, Erickson had wanted to say. After a few more thank yous , he hung up the phone.
    “You knew I was getting that call!” Erickson sputtered, grinning down at his friend. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “And miss that shit-eating grin on your face. No way.” Becker stood and gave his friend and mentor a hug. “Anyway, I was sworn to secrecy. If I told you, I would’ve had to kill you.”
    Becker and President Bancroft’s Chief of Staff had shared an apartment in law school. That long-time friendship occasionally gave Becker access to inside information.
    Shortly after the debacle that led to Attorney General Stanley Harrison’s resignation, a White House staffer notified Erickson that he was being considered for the job. Erickson had assumed, however, that his selection was a long shot.
    A former assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, Erickson had gained a name for himself by prosecuting high-stakes corporate fraud cases. After joining Jankowski, Parkins, Gregorio & Hall, one of the most powerful law firms in the country, Erickson limited his practice to complex