Troubleshooters (Jackson Chase Novella Book 2) Read Free Page B

will remind you that you are speaking to the DNI, and you will show some respect for his position.”
    Director Nichols made a placating gesture to Landon. “It’s OK, Landon. The Chief is playing a chief’s role. He is both illustrating his leadership and fiercely protecting his lieutenant. And, incidentally, showing why this team is ideal.”
    He turned back Sterba. “To be clear, Chief, there are three people outside of this room who are aware of this arrangement. My assistant, Mrs. Rita Hallahan, who will help you with absolutely anything you need. The President is also aware and has authorized this team. Finally, and this may come as a surprise to you, Jackson, Admiral Doug Christie has been read in and will be available to us as needed.”
    This certainly eased my concerns about this little folly. The Admiral had long been a mentor of sorts, especially following the death of my parents. But the Admiral wasn’t involved in Naval operations nor the intelligence community. He was retired, for Pete’s sake.
    “The Admiral?” I asked.
    The Director nodded. “The President has asked him to join the administration as Deputy Secretary of State. It will be announced tomorrow.”
    Sterba nodded, knowing that the best counterbalance to the intelligence community would be the State Department. He carried on. “Third, we will need this in writing, sir. I have seen too many congressional hearings filled with ‘I cannot recall’ not to request this.”
    “Chief, that has already been done. Mrs. Hallahan has a document for each of you ready upstairs. I have signed them and they have been notarized.”
    He paused, offering Sterba the chance to continue. “Will there be anything else?”
    The silence in the room solidified Sterba’s stance. If this folly turned nasty, the instigator would need to face one strong SEAL. He let this thought permeate the room before standing down. “Not at this time.”
    He then turned to me and said, “I’ll follow your lead too, sir.”
    We were, it seemed, back to the original question. I looked at Sterba, then Chen, then the Director.
    “We’re in,” I said.
    The Director cracked a smile. “Excellent.” His finger then pointed in the direction of Landon’s thick folder, and he said to Sterba, “Now, Chief, this was not going to be the carrot at the end of the stick. I think Landon simply chose the wrong moment to pull it out of his briefcase.” He reached across and opened it to reveal a small leather case containing the shoulder boards for Lieutenant Commander.
    The Director addressed both Sterba and Chen, saying, “This promotion is well below the zone, but as I have been told by many people over the past several days, he’s ready. The Chief of Naval Operations approved it this morning. But I think the real approval needs to come from you, Chief.”
    “Sir, I have broken in a few snot-nosed lieutenants over the years,” Sterba said. “This is one of the keepers.”
    He then stood up and said, “Attention to orders!” and with my oath read and hands shaken, I was bumped to Lieutenant Commander.
    So, after six seconds of pomp and circumstance, reality set back in.
    “Now that we have that squared away, we are going to send you on your first mission. Yesterday, there was a bombing in a hotel in Arusha, Tanzania; the fifth terrorist attack there this year. The eighth, if you include three deadly attacks on priests in Zanzibar.”
    “I saw that eleven people were killed,” Chen said.
    Landon nodded. “Yes. Three Americans, one Israeli, three local nationals, and a British family of four,” he said.
    “Your assignment is to find and terminate the terrorists responsible. We do not want this escalating. And we owe justice to the families of those who lost their lives.”

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    “ W hat leads do you have so far?” I asked.
    “So close to Kenya, our first thought was Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda, or both operating as one once again. But it could just as easily be one of the many