CROSSFIRE: Ex-CIA JON BRADLEY Thriller Series (TERROR BLOODLINE Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the names of no less than eight CIA operatives, including  the  Station Chief Kenneth Haas, the Near East director, Robert C. Ames, the CIA’s top Middle East analyst, and William R. McIntyre, deputy director of the USAID.
    As Bradley was driven along the potholes scared highway, everywhere stood out the ruins – the charred and hollow structures, bullets and shells ridden,  windows blown-out,  burnt out  frames and twisted chassis of cars, trucks and other vehicles. 
    He would soon learn that such wreckage strewn along roadsides was a familiar sight in many parts of Lebanon.   There was never a smooth car ride due to the pitiable condition of the roads. 
    Lebanon was a prosperous and peaceful nation until the early 70s.  All that drastically changed following the Civil War era of 1975-1991. 
    During 1993, the year of his arrival in Beirut for the first time, nothing had changed for better.
    The car-bombings, the political and personal vendettas, the wanton shootings, assassinations, bombing public places, kidnappings and the appearance of roadblocks without warning became a part of life for the Lebanese people and outsiders especially the Americans and Europeans living there or visiting Lebanon.
    Robert Armstrong noticed that his new counterpart was keenly observing the passing scene as they drove past the surroundings. 
    They had not spoken much, except for exchanging pleasantries due to the presence of the Lebanese driver.  Safety protocol demanded discretion when speaking about official matters. No one outside their American staff could be trusted.
    However, every Case Officer was thoroughly tutored until the agent was familiar about mapping out the places and locations, also staying cognizant of the region’s economy, the social life and the changing political situation, including the portrayal of the important, influential leaders and players in the country of his posting.
    “Nothing ever improves here.  It had been the same when I was posted here three years ago, and the same during the time of my predecessors.  Phew… it sure is a good feeling to be returning home soon. Beirut is becoming a veritable hell hole and that’s not just for us, but for common Lebanese people too.”
    “I can already sense that,” Jon said, “You live in Washington D.C.?”
    “Yeah, have a wife and two kids – the girl’s ten years old and the boy’s eight.  What about you? Still single?”
    “Mr. Armstrong, Sir… I will have to slow down.  There’s a checkpoint ahead,” the driver interrupted their conversation.
    They could see the brisk activity some distance ahead of them; two stationery military vehicles on either side of the highway, besides the two armed guards
    and four officers, dressed in olive green fatigues, checking out the car passengers and their documents.
    From the black and red color berets they wore, Bradley guessed they were from the 'MOKAFAHA' – the Lebanese anti-terrorism unit and the Military Police. 
    A little behind them was parked the radio jeep, the police officer seated inside listening to the dispatcher’s alerts.
    “The checkpoint wasn’t set up when we came through here earlier. But then, one never knows in this city,” observed Robert.
    “Sir, I will take care of it.”  The security-guard slowed the Embassy vehicle to a stop by the side of the road behind three other cars – one of them, an old beaten-up Mercedes taxi. Meantime, the line of cars behind them was growing, some impatient drivers honking almost non-stop.
    Suddenly, the scene was disturbed by the sound of squealing tires, some distance behind them.  People were getting out of their cars to see what was going on. 
    Their driver was already out of the car before Robert joined him.  Bradley, however, preferred to remain seated inside the car. 
    Armstrong noticed a black Toyota Land Cruiser disappearing round the bend in the road.  A few moments later he heard the sound of the police-car siren.  
    Then,