Presidential Shift Read Online Free PDF

That’s what I’m doing.”
    “I’m not saying you’re not.”
    “Then what’s your point?” flared Cal.
    “I’m not the only one that thinks you might have lingering thoughts about Wyoming.”
    Cal breathed in and out slowly, willing himself to calm down. The previous October, he’d lost men, including one of his best friends, Brian Ramirez, in an operation to rescue Neil Patel. Cal had watched as a massive explosion ripped through his team. He’d later exacted revenge on the mastermind of the kidnapping, Nick Ponder.
    Daniel broke the awkward silence. “I’ve been with Cal for every one of these takedowns, and although he sometimes likes to exhibit a little…flair, I can honestly say that he is never reckless.”
    “See?” said Cal.
    “All right. You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t care. As your cousin I want to make sure you’re okay. As your boss, I want to make sure you’re not doing anything that could compromise the company.”
    “Don’t worry. I know my limits. Besides, Daniel’s the best babysitter around.”
    Travis finally laughed. “Okay. Enough of that.” He slid the folder back in the drawer. “Back to the president. Will this be strictly a digital operation or do you need boots on the ground?”
    “For now all I need is Neil and the two of us. I thought Daniel and I could take a trip and shadow the president on the road. It might give us a better idea of who the leak might be.”
    “Just keep me in the loop.”
    “No problem.”
    +++
    After checking in with his secretary, Cal headed outside. “How about we head over and say hello to Top?” asked Cal.
    Top was Marine Master Sergeant Willy Trent, a close friend of Cal’s and lead hand-to-hand combat instructor at SSI. Not only was he huge, at just under seven feet in height, the outgoing black Marine was also an accomplished chef. Top Trent was someone you always wanted on your side.
    Minutes later they entered SSI’s gym facility. They passed through the professional grade free weights area and snuck into the observation room. Through the plate glass window a group of six SSI operators lined up against the far wall. Trent was in the middle of the wrestling mat demonstrating a grappling move on a seventh trainee. Cal and Daniel watched as he effortlessly tossed the man over his shoulder and guided him onto the mat. The quickness of the move surprised the trainee and made Cal smile.
    Trent looked up and noticed Cal at the window. He waved and motioned for his friend to come join the fun.
    A minute later, the big Marine was introducing Cal and Daniel to the new guys. There were curt nods and handshakes all around. Each man casually sized up the owner of SSI. Cal was used to it and kept the chit chat to a minimum. There would be time to bond with these men after they’d been better indoctrinated into the company. They were all experienced operators from each of the military branches. Unbeknownst to the warriors, Cal had approved each and every man before they’d been offered a position at SSI.
    “Why don’t you guys practice that toss and roll while I’m gone,” said Trent. “I’ve gotta talk to the boss.”
    The operators paired up as Cal, Daniel and Trent left the sparring room and headed to one of the small offices down the adjoining hallway. It took Cal five minutes to bring Trent up to speed on what had happened in D.C. Top sipped on an oversized bottle of Powerade Zero as he listened.
    Trent had been part of every major operation Cal led at SSI. Despite their differences in size and background, deep trust and respect cemented their relationship. Much like his close connection with Daniel, Cal’s friendship with Trent had developed quickly. It was the Marine way when a fellow Jarhead saved your life. That had happened on multiple occasions in the past year and a half.
    “How can I help?” asked Trent in his deep boom, once Cal finished with the debrief.
    “Neil’s handling the political investigation, so I think