PRECIPICE Read Online Free PDF

stepped from the crisp morning into the narrow foyer, he was grateful that this was as close to Washington as he needed to get. When he’d pulled that trigger in Pakistan, he had no idea that the tiny movements of his index finger would create ripples that turned into giant waves washing into every corner of his life. It wasn’t that he regretted for a moment what he’d done. For the guy who had masterminded the attack that killed three thousand American civilians, several bullets from Harris’ H&K 416 to make absolutely sure he was dead was the least that Harris could do. The problem was more that he wished he had known ahead of time the consequences of being that guy on that mission. SEALs were all about preparation, but nothing could have readied him for the unforeseen changes he’d been through. New job. New town. Even a new name. Only his wife—his old high school sweetheart—remained the same. That and the fact that he could seldom talk about his past with anyone. If everyone had kept their mouths shut, this wouldn’t have happened.
    In the aftermath of Pakistan, the media frenzy was the only part that no one had anticipated or planned for. Every reporter in the country wanted to break the story of the men who had carried out the mission. Americans joined in the craze, even creating a website where people could exchange information on SEAL sightings in their home town. The men had been terrified for the safety of their families. They couldn’t continue to live under their current names with the team—it was only a matter of time until their identities leaked and some Middle Eastern zealot sought retribution against everyone who had been in the room on that fateful day. But what would they do next? The reputation they’d generated would be a boon for marketing themselves as consultants or contractors, but they had to hide their identities. It seemed there was no way they could continue doing what they did best. While every government agency wanted to take credit for the mission, none wanted to figure out a solution to the mess afterward. Worse, no matter which agency was involved in hiding the men, politicians at the top would know. That was how secrets leaked.
    Worse for Harris and the several of his closest teammates was that they hadn’t just been SEALs for the thrill or the challenge. They believed deeply in their country, and a huge part of why they’d risked their lives so many times was to prevent America’s enemies from harming the greatest country in the world. It was a fundamental building block of who Harris was, and he wasn’t even close to ready to leave that core mission behind.
    Fortunately, Sutherland had found a viable solution for the men he had worked so closely with on that fateful final mission and many others over the last ten years. He’d found a discreet sponsor, retired from CIA, and quietly gotten them all moved and set up with new names and a new project that would take maximum advantage of their special skills while still allowing them to participate in the fight that had defined much of their adult lives. It was the best solution, but it failed to completely offset the disruption that had resulted from exemplary service to their country. They had gotten only one politician involved to get the new project off the ground. Sutherland fervently hoped that would drastically limit the possibility of leaks. It was the best that he had been able to do on such short notice.
    What a relief the past weekend had been for Harris, spending time with three former team members, letting it all hang out a little bit and telling a few old stories around the fire. He’d missed his guys and that feeling of camaraderie. He knew that too much had been said in front of their river guide, but he wasn’t worried about Chip. The guy felt like something of a brother after their adventures on the river—and who was he going to tell? It was worth it for the weekend he’d had and to further his new