In Sheep's Clothing: An Action-Packed Political Thriller (Matthew Richter Thriller Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

“Listen, Matthew.  Go see the doctor.  The Service is paying for it, and it’s confidential, so you have no reason not to go.  You’ve got to work this out.  If you’re not one hundred percent on top of your game, you become a liability.”
    Richter’s stomach felt hollow.
    “Why not take some time off?  You know, go somewhere.  Decompress.”
    Richter nodded again as he stood.  “I’d better get upstairs.”

CHAPTER FIVE
December
    Pat Monahan, Deputy Director of the FBI, frowned at the traffic, looked at his watch, and swore.  Being late for a meeting with the president would not be wise.  Unfortunately, thirty minutes ago he hadn’t known that he would be going to the White House today.  He had been on his way to CIA headquarters for the weekly meeting of the Project Boston Task Force when FBI Director Emil Broder had called. 
    “The president wants an update on Project Boston.”
    “When?” Monahan had asked.
    “At nine,” Broder had barked then hung up before Monahan could protest.
    What a way to start a week!   Monahan had told his driver to turn around.  His position as deputy director came with a driver, who also acted as his bodyguard.  There was nothing he could do about the traffic, so he decided to let the young agent worry about it while he focused on Project Boston.
    The goal of the task force was to put so much pressure on the Mexican drug cartels that they would re-evaluate their desire to distribute narcotics in the U.S.  Daunting, to say the least.  But for the first time, they weren’t bound by the rules that had hampered previous efforts.  The Boston team employed guerrilla warfare tactics: cutting communication, jamming cell phone transmissions, kidnapping high-ranking cartel members, fire-bombing cartel processing and storage sites, confiscating cartel assets, freezing bank accounts—in effect, just about everything short of assassination.  Their goal was to so decimate the cartel, effectively strangling it, which led one task force member to suggest the code name.  The team was named after the Boston Strangler. 
    While it might appear odd, corrupt even, that the FBI would participate in what appeared to be illegal activities, Monahan’s very presence on the task force was to ensure that they operated within the boundaries of the presidential directive.  The plan was unusual in that it had the explicit agreement and participation of the Mexican government.  All operations were carried out jointly between teams from both countries, including U.S. Navy Seals and CIA Field Operatives, as well as Mexican Special Forces.
    Monahan had been summoned to explain to President Kendall exactly what Project Boston was.  He glanced out the window as they pulled up to the gate.  After showing their IDs, they waited as Uniformed Secret Service officers checked the trunk of the car and looked underneath with large rolling mirrors. 
    “Thank you, Mr. Monahan.  Mr. Broder is waiting for you inside.”
    As Monahan jumped out, he glanced at his watch again.  Damn!  He was cutting it close. 
___
    “We have a problem, sir.” Howell began with a frown. 
    The Chief of Staff was one of the few people who were permitted to interrupt what was normally a quiet time in the late afternoon that the president reserved for reading or making phone calls.
    “I had a conversation with Melinda Lentz.  I don’t know if you remember her, but she was an intern in your office five years ago.”
    The president shook his head.  The name didn’t ring a bell. 
    “Anyway, she’s now an aide in Senator Miller’s office,” Howell continued.
    “Arnie Miller?  From Georgia?”
    “Yes, sir.  We’ve kept in touch over the years.”  Howell paused a moment.  “She told me that Miller isn’t going to support Hettinger’s nomination.”   
    The president flinched. “They haven’t even had the hearings yet!”
    “What’s more concerning,” Howell continued, “is that she overheard