Cattle Valley 26 - Shadow Soldier Read Online Free PDF Page A

own.”
Deacon didn’t doubt Aaron could do a lot of things on his own if only he’d have more faith in himself. “Give me ten minutes. I think I have a top that’ll be perfect, but it’s in the back storage shed across the alley.”
“Sounds good.” Aaron turned his attention to the table leg as Deacon left the room.
Deacon made his way out the back door to the shed. The structure, made of cement block, housed many miscellaneous items but more importantly, it served as Deacon’s Bat Cave of sorts. He unlocked the heavy-duty padlock on the steel door and flipped on the overhead light.
Turning over an old tree stump in the back of the shed, Deacon reached into its hollow and removed the cell phone. To some, the extent to which he guarded the phone would seem overkill, but they would be wrong, dead wrong. The phone stored not only the number to the President’s direct line, but all his handlers and agents.
“Black’s Hardware,” a deep voice answered.
“I need a plumber,” Deacon told Midnight.
“We’ve got a problem.”
Deacon eased down onto the stump and set his cane aside. For the first time in years, Deacon resented the reminder of who he actually was and how much power he wielded. “What now?”
“Sully’s been arrested in Colombia.”
“Legitimately or do they know who he really is?” Sully was one of their best, a sniper who had a gift for blending into the background.
“They know,” Midnight informed him.
“Then go get him.” Deacon hated moments like this. “If you can’t rescue him, kill him.” It was protocol for situations in which an agent was captured, but it didn’t make it any easier.
“Figured you’d say that. There’s only one problem. I don’t trust anyone but myself to get him outta there, and if I go, there’ll be no one to screen the day to day bullshit. Well, except you.”
“I no longer do that, or have you forgotten?” Deacon had been ready to walk away from the agency after Bobby’s death. A special request from the President and limited duties were the only things keeping him at the agency at all.
“I haven’t forgotten. I’m asking you to do this as a personal favour to me. I can’t leave unless you do this.”
Deacon rubbed his forehead. In all the years he’d known and worked with Midnight, never once had the man asked for anything. “It’ll have to be done from here.” Explaining to Aaron why he was suddenly on the phone all the time would be tricky, but their budding relationship was too important to walk away from now. “How long do you expect to be gone?”
“Three weeks max.”
Although it was far too early to say so for sure, Deacon had a good feeling about his future with Aaron. After devoting his entire adult life to the service of his country and losing a man he loved in the process, Deacon was tired. “So you know, you get Sully back in one piece before he spills any information, and I’ll inform the President that I’ve chosen you as my replacement.”
“You think I’m ready for that?”
“Hell, you do the work, might as well get the title and pay increase that goes along with it.” Deacon leaned on his cane and got to his feet. “Give me the rest of the day to settle a few things here.”
“Will do. I need to make some arrangements anyway.”
“Good luck. I know how much Sully means to you.” Deacon ended the call and pocketed the phone. Before leaving the shed, he found the small slab of mahogany he’d had left over from the headboard. “Perfect.”
Deacon balanced the wood on his shoulder and left the shed. He had twelve hours to figure out what to tell Aaron, and he’d need every second of it.
* * * *
    “So what’s next?” Aaron set the legs on the worktable and wiped his hands on his jeans. The day may have started out like hell, but Deacon had proven once again that he had the power to set him at ease.
    “Next, I have to turn them on the lathe, but I can do that in the morning. Why don’t we get some dinner and watch