The Olympus Device: Book Three (17 page)

Millard vacated the master bedroom, treading across the thick carpeting to check the front picture window and the street beyond. “Why are you so edgy?” he whispered. “This one’s going to end just fine, and the paycheck will put that new Range Rover within reach.”

The president sat at his desk, staring at an alarming, ever-growing stack of incident reports.

At the bottom was an executive briefing that covered the disaster in St. Louis. Then came Fort Knox, the facility now a smoldering ruin. And finally, there were a series of riots, economic impact statements, and three general summaries depicting doom and gloom over the public’s reaction to the events of the last day.

The entire affair was blowing up in his face, the airwaves already commandeered by public outrage and calls for Congressional investigations. The word “impeachment” seemed to be a part of every conversation on Capitol Hill.

In addition to several prominent government representatives losing their lives, word had finally leaked out that it was a U.S. Navy destroyer that had fired the Tomahawk missiles at Missouri. That ship and crew were now steaming under escort for Miami, the captain under arrest.

Despite the White House staff and Pentagon repeatedly denying any involvement in the incident, early polling indicated the American public wasn’t buying it. Rumors of a cover-up were already spreading.

The FBI couldn’t find Armstrong or Hughes, and neither could the press. There had even been one report claiming that the government had already apprehended the two, keeping them locked away so they couldn’t defend themselves.

Rubbing both temples in a half-hearted effort to soothe a growing headache, the president tried to see a way out for his administration and the government as a whole.  The country was on the verge of tearing itself apart.

The irony of it all wasn’t lost on the chief executive. Weathers, with one single attack at Knox, was accomplishing what no other power on earth had ever achieved. “That fucking Texan doesn’t even have to expend any more of his ammo,” the president whispered. “He’s just sitting back, watching us crumble right before his eyes, and probably laughing his ass off with every news broadcast.”

Sighing loudly, the president pushed his anger toward Weathers aside. He needed solutions, not venting. It seemed no matter what he tried to do, things just seemed to be getting worse.

Again, he considered resigning.

If the best minds in Washington couldn’t figure something out soon, that might be his only alternative. Myth had it that Nero played the violin while Rome burned. “I’m not going to hunt cowboys while my country goes up in flames,” he stated to no one. “I can’t let that happen.”

His train of thought was interrupted by Noah entering the room, the look on the chief of staff’s face making it clear he wasn’t bearing good news.

“Um… sir, we have another problem,” said the aide.

A groan escaped the president’s throat, his expression changing into what could only be described as a plead for mercy. “What now?”

“Andrew Weathers has been kidnapped from Texas Tech,” Rhodes stated without emotion.

“What? Are you shitting me? Didn’t I read a report not long ago that stated we had an FBI team watching him day and night?”

“Yes, sir, we did. From the preliminary information I’ve received, it was an extremely professional job. We have an agent from the observation team in the hospital, suffering from severe trauma to the head. There’s a massive search on at the moment, but after speaking with the people on the ground, I don’t hold out much hope that they’ll locate the victim anytime soon.”

When the president finally spoke, the single word made it clear where his mind was going with the news. “Who?”

“At the current moment, we have no idea where Andrew Weathers is, or who has him,” replied the aide.   

Less than three minutes after thinking things couldn’t possibly get worse, the president realized he’d been dead wrong. The son of perhaps the most dangerous man alive was missing, presumed kidnapped. Weathers would think the abduction had been ordered by the White House. The father, if still rational, probably wouldn’t be for long.

The president had a feeling that Senator Hughes and his group had something to do with the youth’s disappearance. It all tied together, but there wasn’t any proof just yet.

It was a possibility that Armstrong had loyal followers inside the Pentagon, and that would explain the unauthorized missile launch. Hughes knew his way around Washington and may have helped the admiral circumvent the regular chain of command. The senator had money, contacts, and resources in his arsenal.

Now, a professional kidnapping. It fit.

“Maybe this is the break we’ve been looking for,” the president stated, his reaction surprising Rhodes. “It seems our wayward senator and off-the-reservation admiral are getting desperate.”

“But, sir… they obviously want the Olympus Device. The attack on the airport was the first attempt. When that failed, they must have figured Weathers would negotiate to have his son returned. That’s not beyond reason. If they get their hands on that weapon….”

“We have to spin this, Noah. We have to somehow put ourselves on the same side as Weathers. Get out in front of this event and control the optics as best we can. Assign our best people to finding the kid. I want our folks on every talk show, news broadcast, and editorial page, shouting to the heavens that we want to help Durham Weathers. Use this to our advantage. Claim that events like this are exactly what we were trying to avoid in the first place. It will help settle the public down.”

The COS scratched his chin, “It could work to our advantage. Very good, sir.”

“Putting us on the Texan’s team does more than just sway public opinion and confuse those accusing us of conspiracy and cover-up. Let the press interview the FBI team. Tell them to be open and honest. Give us a big, fat, ‘I told you so,’ to parade out in front of the press. Weathers might not buy it, but some people will.”

Noah nodded his understanding, “And in the meantime, we can hope the abduction provides the FBI with more clues regarding the whereabouts of Hughes and Armstrong. It all fits nicely.”

“I want you to put every resource we have into finding Andrew Weathers. Make solving this crime a high priority, and make it a public demonstration,” ordered the Commander in Chief.

“But sir, law enforcement is already stretched to the limit, trying to protect the country’s infrastructure. I’m afraid there aren’t many resources available.”

The POTUS waved off his friend’s concern. “With this latest event, all of that is now just a waste of time and manpower. Weathers isn’t going to bother with anyplace other than right here in the capital. Call off the guard dogs everywhere but Washington. We don’t have to hunt him. He’ll be hunting us, and we need to be ready for him.”

Nodding, Rhodes left the Oval Office with a renewed vigor in his step, the scowl now absent from his face.  

“God help us if we don’t find those two assholes soon,” whispered the president. “Or if Weathers is closer than we think.”

Dusty joined Grace in front of the television, a sandwich of cold cuts and a cold beer in his hands. “Anything good on tonight?” the Texan inquired.

“Not really, but then again, there rarely is. I just finished watching the national news, and our attack on Fort Knox is having some pretty far-reaching effects. I’m not sure we did the right thing there, Dusty. A lot of innocent people are being hurt in the aftermath. One of the talking heads even predicted the entire economy is going to collapse.”

Dusty seemed unimpressed. “The president should have thought about that before he tried to murder us. Surely all that Ivy League brainpower in DC must have calculated the consequences if they missed the target.”

“So you’re still convinced that the White House ordered a hit on the conference? Even after learning about that rogue admiral and senator? You’re being quite the pessimist, Mr. Weathers.”

Dusty shook his head, “Has that asshat in the Oval Office resigned yet? That’s the only news I’m interested in hearing, Grace. Until that crook leaves, whether it’s by force or voluntarily, no American should trust this government. In fact, I’m a little surprised you’re even considering the man’s innocence after being unlawfully detailed in a Houston jail for several days. As I recall, you were ready to go burn the White House down after that. Why the change of heart?”

“Because it doesn’t make any sense, that’s why. Right after the missile attack, I was sure Washington was behind it all. I would’ve bet the ranch that the president would come out claiming you and your rail gun had murdered all those people at the airport. But… and this is the critical point… they didn’t. Instead, they claim that it’s some of their own ilk that initiated the treachery. If the president ordered the hit, why not blame you instead of his political cohorts?”

“Because so many of the people are on my side in this, that’s why. Throughout this entire ordeal, the government has overstepped and abused its authority. They did with Hank, Maria, you, and me. The only thing that’s changed is that people began to put two and two together, and the sum equaled political egos in the District of Columbia.”

Grace started to counter his logic when the television’s picture flashed to large characters advertising, “Breaking News.”

Both of the Texans inhaled sharply when an image of Andrew came on the screen. “Turn it up,” Dusty barked, frustrated as Grace fumbled with the remote control.

“The Austin office of the FBI has just released a few details of the abduction, informing reporters that the crime occurred less than two hours ago on the campus of Texas Tech. According to the spokesman, at least one member of the bureau’s protection detail has been hospitalized with severe injuries. Various sources have confirmed that the wounded agent was trying to rescue the victim when he was brutally attacked. While the agent’s name hasn’t been released, I’ve been informed that his condition remains critical.”

“Oh my, God… no… not Andy!” Dusty shouted. “No… no, not my son.”

Grace reached over, placing a reassuring hand over Dusty’s clenched fist.

“I’m going to kill them,” the Texan hissed. “I’m going to kill every last one of those bastards if they harm my son. He’s an innocent. He had nothing to do with any of this.”

Dusty’s outrage was interrupted by the news station flashing a series of pictures. “Authorities are asking all citizens to report any information regarding the whereabouts of these two men, both of whom have been identified as persons of interest in several recent crimes.”

The couple watched as Admiral Armstrong and Senator Hughes were profiled on the screen. “While my contacts don’t want me to use their names, I’ve learned from inside sources that the FBI believes this incident is directly related to the missile attack just outside St. Louis.”

“Yeah… the average Mr. Joe Nobody might buy that line of shit, but I ain’t,” Dusty replied as if the reporter could hear his words. “I know damn well the feds snatched Andy to use as leverage against me.”

Mitch strolled in just then, having overheard his brother’s angry voice in the next room.

While Dusty went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face, Grace filled the younger brother in on the news report.

“Oh, no… not Andy. I bet Maria is about to have a coronary. This isn’t good.”