Free The Razor's Edge: A Postapocalytic Novel (The New World Book 6) by G. Michael Hopf Page A

some rest,” Lexi said.
    Beau did as commanded and ran to Lexi.
    They both turned the corner and disappeared into the living room.
    Nicholas shook his head and said, “Oh boy, she’s a piece of work that one.”

    Banff, Alberta, Western Canada

    Gordon attempted to make casual conversation, but Megyn only gave simple one- or two-word replies. Her chattiness from earlier, if that was what it could be called, was reduced to almost nothing now.
    When they stopped outside two massive doors, she said, “Right through there, sir.”
    He looked at her and asked, “What or who’s in there?”
    “The answers you seek, Mr. President,” she said.
    “Am I in danger?” Gordon asked already knowing the answer was yes.
    “Just do as I said yesterday,” she said.
    He looked at the doors and then back to her. “What does he want?”
    “Sir, just please do as he says. The prime minister is a serious man. Don’t underestimate him; I strongly encourage you don’t do that,” she advised and walked away, leaving him alone to stand and ponder.
    Gordon quizzically looked at her as she sauntered through the large hall and exited through an equally large set of doors at the other end. He turned and examined the ornately etched doors from their base to the very top, which towered eighteen feet.
    “Let’s find out what’s going on,” he said turning the bronze handle and opening the door.
    Inside, he found the room vacant. The walls were lined with bookcases loaded from floor to ceiling with hardback books. Thick leather couches and chairs sat in the center of the room, and at the far end a substantial wood desk sat centered on the wall behind it. The room was washed in a natural light that came in through two tall windows on the right side of the room.
    He walked further into the room and out of the corner of his eye spotted a table in the far corner. A bove it a map was tacked to the wall This piqued his curiosity; he cleared the fifty feet in seconds to see the map.
    Immediately he saw that Cascadia, which had been written onto the map over Washington, Oregon and Idaho, was crossed out. A red marker had been used to outline his new country and include it into Western Canada. Seeing this, he clenched his teeth and felt a surge of anger. Now he knew what Jacques was up to. He then saw that the red outline included Montana, the Dakotas and Wyoming, including Cheyenne, and that the United States was also crossed out.
    He stepped back from the map as if being pushed. He suddenly came to realize he probably wouldn’t leave Banff. What sort of dialogue could be had with a man who had designs on taking everything he had worked so hard for and was so close to seeing become a reality? But why not take him out already? It was obvious that Jacques needed him, but once he helped, what value would he have anymore?
    A smaller side door on the left side of the room opened. Jacques walked through and headed directly for Gordon. “So sorry I’m late. I see you’re already getting yourself acquainted.”
    Gordon faced him, clenched his fist and punched Jacques in the jaw when he came within reach.
    Jacques went reeling backwards and into the back of a chair. His legs wobbled but he recovered and stood up straight. He rubbed his jaw and said, “I can see you’re upset.”
    Gordon came at him but stopped when the large doors opened and Cruz stepped in.
    “I should kill you right here and now with my bare hands,” Gordon threatened.
    “If you kill me, you’ll never know exactly why you and Mr. Cruz are here.”
    “I’ve seen all I need to know by looking at your map,” Gordon snapped as he pointed towards the wall.
    Cruz, already nervous, froze in fear.
    “If you think you’re going to take my country without a fight, a bitter fight that will cost you dearly, you better rethink,” Gordon barked.
    “What’s going on?” Cruz asked.
    “Go look at that map. His ambitions know no limit,” Gordon replied to Cruz.
    “Gentlemen, please