Deep Rising (An Outside the Lines Novel) (Entangled Select) Read Free

hundred people. If this madman detonates a bomb in the correct location he can potentially eradicate the entire Eastern or Western seaboard of the United States. We’re talking obliteration in the tens of millions.”
    “Shit.”
    “Exactly. Are you in?”
    As if he had a choice. “Yes, sir.”
    The phone disconnected with a gentle click.
    Slamming from the phone booth, Jared strode toward his hotel. He’d evaluate the evidence on Italy. Then he’d get his answers from the woman in Guatemala because ferreting out information was his forte.
    Svetlana Orskya would tell him what he wanted to know, he vowed. Or she would take her secrets to the grave.

    September 7 - 11:54 pm
    Langley, Virginia
    Gordon Quaid stared at the seismic data. A potential terrorist bent on instigating tsunamis. Seriously? In his many years with the CIA, he’d thought he’d seen it all.
    “Gordon, I’m keeping the wolves at bay, but they won’t hold much longer.” Katherine Russe waved her ringing cell phone and then consulted the number. She frowned. “It’s the White House. You want me to run interference for a while?”
    “I’ve got no reason to hide.”
    She took the call. Muffled yelling resonated halfway across the office. “They want to speak to you.”
    “Somebody’s been talking out of turn,” Gordon mumbled. He accepted the phone. “Yes, sir,” he said, when he found a pause in the litany of accusations pouring through the line. “We are completely aware of the situation. I have an agent en route to detail our findings for the commander in chief.” He punched a button on the phone and flung it back to her.
    Keeping his face devoid of expression, Gordon regarded his associates, Katherine Russe and Christopher Parkins. Katherine, an honest, intelligent woman, had climbed the ranks through hard work, unwavering dedication, and a sprinkling of nepotism. Gordon appreciated having her on his team. Christopher, however, remained a backstabbing asshole.
    “Here’s the deal,” Gordon muttered. “Swiss tabloids claim this is the kickoff to the Super Bowl of Armageddon—and now our president is convinced he has box seats. We need to set the record straight. Christopher, you’ll deliver the statement personally.”
    With any luck, they’d shoot the messenger.
    “It will be as follows,” he continued. “A possible earthquake occurred in the Tyrrhenian Sea along a fault line on the southernmost part of Ischia. This anomaly caused a landslide. The displacement of seawater generated by the landslide was responsible for the localized tsunami that slammed into the northern coast of Capri.”
    He’d spent three hours conferring with geological experts. This was the most plausible explanation they could cook up.
    “What about the ‘boom’ heard by natives on Ischia prior to the earthquake?” Christopher countered. “The bomb utilized in the attack generated deafening reverberations.”
    “Delayed sound blast catalyzed by isostatic rebound,” Gordon replied.
    “Good,” Katherine said. “Oh, Gordon, that’s very good. I’ll contact CNN.”
    “Yes. For all intents and purposes, a natural disaster occurred, nothing more. Let’s get our ducks in a row.” He glowered at Christopher. “What are you waiting for? Foreign news crews are having a field day with this!”
    When the door to the office closed, Katherine snickered. “I could’ve handled it, you know. I grew up with the VP.”
    He still had the letter of recommendation that Vice President Chandler had sent. He’d hired Katherine without glancing at it. “I thought you worked for him.”
    “I did. His family and mine own a real estate corporation. I managed the development division before I went to NIU.”
    “Few people work when they don’t need to,” he said neutrally.
    “We all make choices. An idle life isn’t one of mine. Now, about the VP—”
    “I’m keeping your political liaisons in reserve,” Gordon cut in. “We might need them yet. Call