Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains)

Free Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) by Kyle Pratt

Book: Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) by Kyle Pratt Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kyle Pratt
thud and clunk that told him
they were up and locked.
    “ Grandma
and Grandpa were driving my brothers and sisters to the lake house we have in
southern Georgia.” A tear ran down Maria’s cheek. “We were all going to stay
there.” She paused, put her hand to her lips and took a deep breath. “Dad was
talking to them on his cell phone. Grandpa was still in the heart of the city
on I-75 when it happened.”
    Caden
squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry. I lost someone in Atlanta too.”
    She
wiped the tear from her face. “I thought you had.”
    “ Really?
Why?”
    “ From
the look on your face every time someone mentions the city.” She paused. “Did
you love her?”
    “ Yes.
Yes I did.”
    The
pilot announced they were at cruising altitude, and if they needed to move
around they could. David Weston walked back. The plane bounced a bit, and he
grabbed a cargo strap to steady himself. He first glanced at Maria then fixed
his eyes on Caden. “The Governor would like to talk to you.”
    Caden
realized he was still holding Maria’s hand, but did not pull it back. “I’ll be
right there.”
    Weston
walked away.
    Caden
frowned. “I am sorry about…well, everything.”
    “ I
know,” she said with a nod.
    He
felt the keys in his pocket press against his leg. “I should have given my car
to the Millers.”
    “ I
did.”
    “ What?”
    “ I
gave them the spare key you gave me and told them if I didn’t come back, the
car and everything in it was theirs.”
    They
both laughed.
    “ Go
on,” she took her hand away, “don’t keep the boss waiting.”
    As
Caden walked aft, the Governor retrieved a briefcase from under his seat and
stood. He motioned for Caden to follow him, and together they moved toward the
rear of the plane.
    “ David
gives you high marks for logic and analysis and I’ve come to trust his
opinion.” The governor sat near the rear of the plane and Caden took a seat
leaving one between them.
    The
Governor opened his briefcase. “I’ve asked my staff back in Olympia to start a special
background investigation on you, but considering the current chaos, who knows
when that will be completed.” He pulled out a folder marked SECRET in bold red
letters. “I know you were Military Legislative Assistant for Senator Stevens.”
Setting the folder on the briefcase he paused. “I spoke with him several times
regarding foreign policy. He appeared very knowledgeable.”
    “ Yes,
he was smart, well read and,” Caden smiled, “he had a good staff.”
    The
Governor grinned. “I’m sure he did.” His eyes drifted away and the smile left
his face. “He seemed like a good man.”
    Caden
nodded. “He was.”
    Monroe
took a deep breath, then exhaled. “So many have died.” He shook his head
slowly. “You were also in Special Forces. Both those jobs require a clearance.”
    “ Yes.”
    “ Thankfully
both NSA and CIA headquarters have survived and the intelligence community is
functioning. Homeland Security stopped the terrorists in New York and Detroit.”
    The
last news Caden had was that no bomb had gone off in Detroit, but he hadn’t
heard that the city had been secured. “The terrorists in Detroit—they’ve been
caught?”
    The
Governor nodded and handed the folder to Caden. “I’d like you to look at some
intelligence and give me your analysis.”
    Caden
carefully read the stack of news stories, handwritten notes and classified
documents. Many of the newspaper articles were ones David had already shown
him, or he had read earlier, but he was vigilant to review the details.
Finally, he glanced at his watch, put down the last sheet, and looked at the Governor.
“No terrorist organization has the money or expertise to assemble and transport
these nuclear bombs.” He looked the Governor in the eye. “This kind of attack
takes money, a large covert network, and extensive planning. This is state
sponsored terrorism, but it is bigger than North Korea or Iran.”
    “ Who?”
    The
plane shuddered

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