Free Presidential Shift by C. G. Cooper Page B

soldiers after a particularly brutal battle.
    No. Maybe Cal’s buddy knew something. Maybe he, Special Agent Steve Stricklin, could intercept the culprit. Visions of glory followed him as he commandeered a vehicle to shadow the two men on the motorcycle.
    +++
    Daniel and the motorcycle driver caught up to the running man quickly. As if it was something he’d practiced before, the biker extracted his pistol, revved up next to the runner, and delivered a vicious blow to the man’s neck. The momentum of the swing and the motorcycle sent the man sprawling.
    Daniel hopped off and drew his own weapon, taking a bead on the man struggling to rise. “Stay down!” ordered Daniel.
    “You need help, kid?” asked the Harley rider, who was even now stepping up next to Daniel, his weapon also aimed at the struggling suspect.
    “Yeah. Thanks for the help. Marine?”
    “Former Lance Corporal Don Maynor at your service.”
    Daniel didn’t have time to respond because another voice sounded from behind them. “Drop your weapons and get on the ground!”
    +++
    Stricklin couldn’t believe his luck. Not only had he caught up to the Cal’s pal, he’d also caught the man and his new companion unaware.
    “I said, drop your weapons and get on the ground!” he yelled, a bit louder.
    “I can’t do that, sir,” said Daniel. “This man is a suspect in the attack.”
    Stricklin inched closer, wary of the two men with pistols extended. He noticed the Marine logo on the motorcycle rider’s back and scowled. It looked to him like a bit of a redneck gathering. Maybe he could bust all three.
    “I am an FBI agent,” Stricklin started.
    “Let me guess, Johnny Utah?” Maynor asked, lacing his voice with sufficient sarcasm to make Daniel smile.
    “Excuse me? No, I am Special Agent Stricklin…”
    The voice and the named clicked for Daniel. “Sir, we met last night. My name is Briggs. I’m a friend of…”
    “I know who you are, Marine .” He said Marine like he was saying a word that disgusted him, stepping the final feet to stand behind Briggs and Maynor. “For the last time, drop your…”
    Before he could utter another syllable, Maynor swung around and swept the butt of his pistol across Stricklin’s temple. The cocky agent hit the pavement, unconscious.
    Daniel barely moved. “I guess I should say you shouldn’t have done that, but…”
    “But the guy’s an asshole, I know,” finished Maynor. “Come on. We better get this other guy loaded and get the hell out of here. I don’t wanna be around when Special Agent Utah wakes up. He might try to throw more Point Break lines at us.”
    The Marine sniper chuckled and moved to secure their prisoner. Maynor checked to see that Stricklin was still breathing. He was, although he’d have a nasty headache for a day or two. Maynor didn’t care. He had a feeling the kid with the blond ponytail would take care of any hassles the prick agent might concoct.
    +++
    Sirens and blaring lights welcomed them back to the arena as Maynor pulled the overloaded Harley up to the curb. The smell of carnage and destruction led them inside. “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but you can’t come in here,” said a portly local cop.
    Daniel flashed his ID badge and stepped around the barricade, dragging his suspect along by the wrists. It wasn’t hard to find Cal, although his appearance made Daniel hesitate. His hair plastered his head in sweat, and his shirt and trousers were covered in darkening blood. Cal waved them over.
    “Who are these guys?” asked Cal, pointing.
    “Prisoner and Marine,” answered Daniel. Cal looked the two up and down.
    “You know how to keep your mouth shut, Marine?” Cal asked, scowling.
    “Does a bear shit in the woods?” replied Maynor, meeting Cal’s stare with equal intensity.
    Despite the situation, Cal grinned. “Okay. We’ve got a Secret Service helo picking us up in ten, then Trav has a plane waiting at the airport. I think you better come along,