Free Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn Page A

Since her first journalism class at the University of Michigan twelve years earlier, she had dreamed of this day, covering the White House, the center of politics—important issues that affected world events. No more boring chitchat about the weather, fronts coming off of Lake Michigan. Sports, weather, and murders were ninety-nine percent of the broadcast in Chicago. Rielly smiled briefly as she thought of her life there. She would miss her brothers and parents dearly, but flights to Chicago were cheap and frequent. The uniformed Secret Service officer looked at Rielly through the glass and asked,
    "First day on the job?"
    Rielly smiled, showing a set of dimples.
    "Yep."
    The agent placed her ID and a badge in the metal trough under the glass and slid them to her. Through the speaker, he said, "Please wear this badge at all times while in the compound.
    You may proceed down the street here"—the guard pointed—"to that white awning on the left. They'll tell you where to go from there."
    Rielly thanked the man, and she was buzzed through the first gate and then a second. She continued down West Executive Drive to the awning. As she stepped onto the curb, a limousine pulled up. Its back door opened, and she heard a familiar voice call her name. Rielly turned and saw Russ Piper, the former mayor of Chicago, struggling to get out of the backseat of the limo.
    Piper had one hand on the door and the other on the doorframe. The majority of his weight was in his belly, so he had to draw himself to the very edge of the seat before he had the leverage to stand.
    Rielly, somewhat surprised, said, "Russ." She stepped forward and met Piper's hug.
    Piper squeezed her tight and then stepped away, still holding her by the shoulders.
    "Dorothy just told me last night you were coming to town, but I had no idea it would be this fast."
    Rielly's face twisted.
    "I didn't even know I was coming until two days ago. How did your wife find out so fast?"
    "My guess would be that your mother told her, which of course means half of Chicago knows by now that you're the new White House correspondent for NBC." Piper gave her a big hug again.
    "Congratulations, Anna. I know how hard you've worked for this, and I think it's just fantastic." He kissed her on the forehead. Rielly's mother was very active in Chicago Democratic politics, and her parents had been close friends with the Pipers for as long as she could remember.
    Piper released her again and with a frown asked, "When were you planning on calling us?"
    "I just got in last night."
    "Where are you staying?" Piper's brow furrowed.
    "I hope you're not staying at a hotel. Dorothy will be really upset if you don't stay with us."
    Anna tilted her head. "Russ, I'm not on spring break." She looked away from Piper as a second man stepped from the limo. She noted that he was probably a foreigner, and one with a lot of money, judging by the clothes he was wearing.
    Piper followed Rielly's gaze to his guest and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Prince Kalib, I would like you to meet a very good friend of mine, Ms. Anna Rielly."
    Aziz looked at the stunning woman before him and was immediately drawn to her green eyes. Extending his hand, he took hers and bent forward, kissing the back of Rielly's soft hand. Standing straight, he said, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
    Rielly retracted her hand, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the forward gesture.
    "Likewise."
    "Anna is the new White House correspondent for NBC."
    "Congratulations." Aziz canted his chin, and while doing so, noted the two guards by the door.
    "Thank you."
    Piper looked at his watch.
    "Anna, the president is squeezing us in, so I don't want to be late. Do you have plans for dinner?"
    "Ah…" Rielly shook her head while she thought about it.
    "No."
    "Good. Call Dorothy and tell her we're on."
    Rielly smiled.
    "I'll call right away."
    "Good, we'll see you tonight."
    Piper and Aziz walked under the awning and through the double doors that led to the ground