The Zimmer Doctrine (Corps Justice Book 11) Read Free Page A

analysis of our continuing aid, both monetary and military, to countries around the world. I will task my leaders to provide me honest assessments of three things. First, are we getting a positive return on our investment?  Is the change reaped commensurate with the aid package being provided? Is it being put to good use? Second, are countries to which aid is provided being transparent with their use of those resources? This may entail an uncomfortable and in-depth look we have long ignored, but I believe it will be necessary to minimize the impact that years of corruption have had on needy populaces. No one side should unfairly influence the other. And third, and quite possibly the most important evaluation, are our friends and allies conducting themselves in ways that promote personal freedom among their citizenry?  That starts with us, ladies and gentlemen. Are we doing everything we can in order to promote equality? Or, are we sowing the seeds of dissension by pitting our peoples against one another?”
    The murmurs were louder now. The Iraqi prime minister was stone faced. The North Korean Ambassador looked bored. Zimmer saw the Russians smiling and he returned their smiles.
    “In exchange for this honest dialogue, I pledge to do everything in my power to uproot traces of corruption and bribery linked to American involvement with foreign powers. This is a two-way street, and in the coming weeks, I hope to have some very frank discussions with many of you. Everything is on the table, but at the end of the day, I hope that we can see past our differences, put aside our own egos and self interests, and instead lead by example for the citizens we represent.”
    The room was quiet now. Zimmer wondered what they were thinking. He urgently wanted them to think. He wanted them a bit off balance. He wanted things to change. He was done being deceived. It was time to bring the skeletons into the light.
    After once again giving his thanks, he left the stage, and the voices of international representatives rose in deafening discussion. He ignored the confusion and wondered whether this “call-to-arms” for honesty, accountability, and ownership would be his undoing or end up becoming his legacy. Either way, it would be dealt with soon. He felt it was more advantageous to look into the flames than lurk in the shadows.
    When he arrived at the exit, Bob Lundgren was waiting. His face was pale, eyes wide. He looked like he was about to faint. Zimmer had never seen him so unsettled.
    “Mr. President, I don’t know…”
    Zimmer patted him on the shoulder again and said, “Don’t worry, Bob, we’ll work through it.”
    And then he was whisked away by his Secret Service detail, leaving Lundgren open-mouthed at the door.
     

Chapter 4
    Haifa, Israel
    August 26th, 8:11pm
     
     
    Col. Osman gritted his teeth and crushed the soda can in his hand.
    “Yes, sir. I will find him,” he replied, wincing at the curt retort on the other end. The call ended abruptly. He was dismissed as if he he were a lowly lieutenant.
    Two days and still no word. Dr. Nahas was his responsibility. He’d been tasked to see to the scientist’s well-being, and for almost a year he’d done just that. Now Nahas was gone and the two agents who’d been assigned to protect him were dead. Their bodies had been found in the classroom next door to Nahas’s laboratory. The knowledge that the experienced team was taken by surprise and strangled, all in a fairly public location, led Osman to believe they were dealing with professionals. The mere fact that someone had known the top-secret location of the undercover security team made the veteran tremble with rage.
    Obviously, there was a leak.  Although Dr. Nahas was clueless as to what he was working on, it was now apparent someone else had that knowledge.  Ergo, it was imperative to find Dr. Nahas ASAP.
    Osman had ordered increased scrutiny at every border crossing and airport. Without Nahas and his tinkering,