Viper Team Seven (The Viper Team Seven Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

Vice
President climbed out of the pool. “Um, give me a minute to change into
something decent,” he said, pointing to the baggy t-shirt and green checkered swimming
trunks he was wearing.
    “No sir. There
isn’t time for that. Get your wife and let’s get rolling. Marine Two Foxtrot is ready and waiting. Hurry,” the man begged, pulling on the Vice President’s
arm.
    The Vice President
met up with his wife inside the house, and the Secret Service detail urged them
down the hall to the front door. The agents reluctantly allowed the couple to
pull on their shoes and grab jackets, but no sooner had they done that than
they were yanked out the door and guided toward the helicopter. The cold night
air met the VP with a jolt. He wanted to ask what on earth was going on, but no
one seemed to want to give an explanation.
    Seconds later,
the VP and his wife were successfully aboard Marine Two Foxtrot . Secret
Service agents still swarmed around them, even in the helicopter. Once the
helicopter began rising, the Vice President finally asked what the big rush was
about.
    “Sir, there’s
been a hotel bombing in New York City. We are not taking any chances of letting
the terrorists attack you, sir, so that’s why we’re evacuating you immediately.
We’re sorry to have interrupted your exercise, but it was of utmost
importance.”
    Even as the lead
agent spoke those words, the Vice President’s mind was racing. Who did this?
Why? Is the President all right?
    “We just don’t
know much about the situation yet, although I’m sure the National Security
Council has had some more recent information within the last few minutes.” The
lead agent went on, “The NSC is gathering as we speak, sir, and apparently the
FBI had an agent witness the whole thing. He’s been mortally wounded and is
unconscious, so they couldn’t get any answers out of him. Everyone is totally
in the dark about the whole deal.”
    “Is the President
okay?” the VP asked in a concerned voice, running his hands through his short
brown hair.
    “As I said, sir,
we are completely in the dark. But I’m sure the President will be in good
hands.”
    That still
didn’t comfort the Vice President. Anders was not an anxious man, but he did
care a lot about his friend, President Winnfield, and even more than that he
cared about the safety of his country. Everything was hanging by a thread right
now, and all it took was a sharp knife to cut the thread and it would be all
over. He just hoped the President’s security guards were fast enough to beat
the knife. They’d better be, or the weight of the Country would be on him.
    Anders tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on the present. After
all, first things first. And the first thing to do was get himself into the
White House Situation Room safely and quickly.
    *          *          *
    “Happy birthday,
Renee,” the President told his daughter while giving her a sideways hug. “I
wish your mother could be here to see you. Unfortunately circumstances just
would not allow it. Maybe she could fly over and see you some other time soon.”
      “Or I could
visit you both at the White House. Whatever would be more convenient for you
guys is just fine with me,” she replied as she sipped her cup of ice cold punch.
      The President’s
lead Secret Service agent burst through the double French doors and raced
toward him. “Mr. President, sir, we have a major problem.”
    “What?”
Winnfield asked, his smile fading from his face.
    “Appears there
was a bombing – at the Paramount Hotel in New York City. We want to get you
back to Air Force One immediately, sir, we fear an attack on you.”
    “No way. How’d
it happen?”
    “Really sir, we
haven’t the slightest clue yet.”
    “Get me on the
phone with the Vice President.”
    “Sir, we can do that
when you’re safely aboard Air Force One .”
    “But,” the President
argued, “the bombing was in New York City, we’re in