Executive Orders: Part 2 of the Homeland Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

glanced up at the mayor then back to the tablet with a disapproving sigh. “I thought I could count on you, Finbarr.”
    “You want more?”
    “I want them all.” She pushed the list back across the desk.
    “What…” Finbarr mustered his strength to speak. “What about Chloe?”
    “She’s all yours. I’m hunting dissidents, not junkies.” She pointed to the list. “Names first, then your daughter.”
    “I can give you a few more, but I need time to think.”
    “Very well. Give me five additional names now and we will meet here again tomorrow morning for ten more.”
    Finbarr’s eyes widened.
    “And ten more the day after that—and so on until I tell you to stop.”
    The mayor’s mouth opened to speak, but the words caught in his throat. He finally nodded his consent.
    “Of course, my agents can’t bring all these troublemakers in themselves. We are spread thin as it is. That brings me to our next order of business.”
    “There’s more?” Finbarr gasped.
    “As I said, our agency can’t meet all security requirements and we cannot rely on our military. Therefore, the Department of Homeland Security is establishing a civilian national defense force that is just as powerful, just as strong, and just as well funded to supply these National Security needs.I want you to organize and lead the local chapter.”
    “Why don’t you get Hank Sexton to do that?”
    “I think we both know where Sheriff Sexton stands.”
    “Where am I to get the men for this?”
    “You’re a sexist for assuming they will all be men, but I’ll forgive you… this time. Make Sheriff Sexton’s deputies a priority on your list. We need to know which ones we can trust. Start with the young ones. They will be eager to defect to the winning team. After that, enlist anybody else you like, regardless of background. They can learn on the job. Loyalty is more important than experience in these matters. I will need their names, too of course. I have only one condition. They must be young people. High schoolers are good. College aged at the oldest.” She smiled. “We will call them the ‘nice’ list. They will be part of the Green Guard, a national patriotic youth service initiative initiated by the President himself.” She took a bag of green armbands from a drawer in her desk. “They will wear these on their left sleeve. So will you.”
    “You’re talking about recruiting people to arrest their own neighbors. You’re asking me to detain my own constituents.” Finbarr shook his head. “I’ll be voted out of office.”
    Sanger laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about elections anymore. My vote is the only one that counts now.” She motioned to the map on the wall. “We have a great task before us—America’s Second Founding. Only by eliminating all resistance can we achieve success. Progress is coming, Finbarr. Those who do not climb aboard will be crushed under its wheels.”
    Finbarr penned five more names in an unsteady hand and slid the paper to Sanger.
    The FEMA agent nodded in approval. “A good start.”
    Finbarr motioned to the list. “Of course, those name are just suggestions, people who might cause problems. I can’t know if they are guilty.”
    “Leave that to me.” Sanger ripped the list from the tablet and folded it into her pocket. She tossed the blank tablet back to Finbarr. “I’ll see you here again tomorrow with ten more names.”
    “I’ll try to—”
    “You’re dismissed.”
    Finbarr stood and turned to leave.
    Sanger added, “You’ve got a lot of work to do, Mister Mayor. I would get started right away if I were you.”

4
    MARTHA
     
    Undisclosed Safe House
    Franklin, TN
    20 Miles South of Nashville
     
    Martha Jefferson sat by her sleeping husband’s bedside, holding his hand. The dim, suburban basement was lit by single antique hurricane lamp on a table in the center of the room.
    “You’re going to be alright,” she lied as she stroked her spouse’s hair.
    His breathing was labored.