Devolution Read Online Free PDF Page A

Kingdom.”
    A few more tears quietly broke free as he retreated from the microphones. His written speech remained behind on the podium stand.
    Despite his request, the media bombarded the MPs with questions. “Did the terrorists talk to you? Did they tell you anything about their objective? Commissioner, tell us more about this LAF? We need more information!”
    The thousands of onlookers erupted in cheers. The four men had instantly become national heroes. With the crowd noise growing to insurmountable levels, the media screamed their questions. Some even tried to leap onto the stage. What audiences saw, from around the world, was nothing less than a controlled riot. All the while, the four MPs remained huddled together, wishing it would all go away.
    Colonel Levanetz stood near the doors, concealed in the back. The line filed past him as the stage emptied. His phone began to vibrate.
    “Yes, sir?”
    “Is everything taken care of?” the unyielding voice demanded.
    “I’m assuming you watched.”
    “What about the backpacks?”
    “We have them, Mr. Prime Minister.”
    “I am glad, Colonel. Have another talk with our MPs. Make them understand what the Crown expects.”
    “Yes, sir.” A shrewd sense of accomplishment flashed across his face as he lowered the phone.
    By this time, the four MPs were nearing the brilliant doors of Westminster. The colonel nodded at them in approval but was ignored.
    The crowd and media dispersed. The struggling nation was blessed with a newfound sense of pride in what its fellow countrymen had survived. But what nobody saw, the pamphlets in the back pockets of each of the former hostages, had the power to transform that pride into disdain.
    Only four people knew those pamphlets existed. Soon, the whole world would know. And the person responsible would have unknowingly sparked a revolution.

CHAPTER TWO
    THE GENESIS
     
    A solemn Nolan family sat in their living room enraptured by the media coverage. Charlotte frantically paced behind the couch, dialing her phone hysterically. Minutes prior, her brother, Tony Manning, had stood before the world as a hero who had just survived a terrorist attack. Every number she tried went to voice mail, and her anxiety mounted.
    “Honey, your brother is fine,” Theodore said. “Please. Relax.” He held her in his arms. “Tony is safe.”
    Her anxiety morphed into a somber release of tears.
    The hostages were unknown before they took the stage to address the world. When Charlotte’s brother emerged from Westminster, the response was not relief, but desperation when she realized how close he’d been to death.
    “I-I-I don’t know what-what to do,” she sobbed.
    Theodore held his wife tightly. After a moment, he gently pulled himself away and took her hands. “You saw him,” he said soothingly, his thumbs rubbing her fingers. “He’s okay!”
    Charlotte would not be consoled. “I have to talk to somebody. I have to talk to him .”
    “What do you want to do?” Theodore asked, continuing to caress her hands as she sobbed.
    “I need to see him.”
    “You want to go to London?”
    Charlotte nodded.
    Theodore turned to his children. “I think you should stay here.” He swung open the closet door and rooted through the clutter. “I am assuming we won’t get back until late, maybe tomorrow morning.” He ripped two coats off the hangers, and handed one to his wife.
    Charlotte grabbed a few things off the foyer desk and shoved them into her purse. The couple raced out the door. “We’ll call tonight,” Theodore called back, opening the car door for his wife.
    The uncertainty surrounding the terror attack loomed in the minds of the Nolan children.
    “Please be careful,” Rose said, grabbing her twin’s arm.
    Charlotte managed to compose herself as the car backed out of the driveway. Her children stood at the doorway and waved a heartfelt goodbye. Forcing a smile, she returned the gesture.
    Theodore put the car in drive and powered