Any Means Necessary: A Luke Stone Thriller (Book 1)

Any Means Necessary: A Luke Stone Thriller (Book 1) by Jack Mars Page A

Book: Any Means Necessary: A Luke Stone Thriller (Book 1) by Jack Mars Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jack Mars
Ads: Link
perceptions. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
    “I think I do,” Jeremy said. His blood roared in his ears. The words were exciting and terrifying all at once.
    “We all need friends in high places,” the Speaker said. “Including me. Now fire away.”
    Jeremy took out his telephone. “Recorder is on… now. Sir, are you aware of the massive theft of radioactive material that took place in New York City overnight?”
    “I am more than aware,” Ryan said. “Like all Americans, I am deeply concerned. My aides woke me at four a.m. with the news. We are in close contact with the intelligence community, and we are monitoring the situation closely. As you well know, I have been working to pass a Congressional Declaration of War against Iran, which the President and his party have been blocking at every turn. We are in a situation where Iran is occupying our ally, the sovereign nation of Iraq, and our own personnel have to pass through Iranian checkpoints to enter and leave our embassy there. I don’t believe there has been a series of events so humiliating since the Iran hostage crisis in 1979.”
    “Do you believe this theft was carried out by Iran, sir?”
    “First off, let’s call it what it is. Whether or not a bomb goes off on a subway train, this is a terrorist attack on American soil. At least two security guards were murdered, and the great city of New York is in a state of fear. Second, we don’t have enough information yet to pinpoint who the terrorists are. But we know that weakness on the world stage encourages these sorts of attacks. We need to show our true strength, and we need to come together as a country, both right and left, to defend ourselves. I invite the President to join with us.”
    “What do you think the President should do?”
    “At the very least, he needs to declare a nationwide state of emergency. He should issue temporary special powers to law enforcement, until we track these people down. These powers should include warrant-less surveillance, as well as random search and seizure at all train stations, bus terminals, airports, schools, public squares, malls, and other hubs of activity. He also needs to act immediately to safeguard all other stockpiles of radioactive material, everywhere in the United States.”
    Jeremy stared into Ryan’s fierce eyes. The fire there was almost enough to make him turn away.
    “And here’s the main thing. If the attackers do turn out to be from Iran, or sponsored by Iran, then he either needs to declare war, or step out of the way and let us do it. If this is indeed an Iranian attack, and in the face of that information, the President continues to block our efforts to protect our country and our allies in the Middle East… then what choice does he leave me? I myself will initiate the impeachment proceedings.”

 
Chapter 11
     
    6:43 a.m.
    Seventy-Fifth Street near Park Avenue - Manhattan
     
    Luke sat in the back of one of the agency SUVs with Ed Newsam. They were across the quiet, tree-lined street from a fancy high-rise, modern, with glass double doors and a white-gloved doorman at the entrance. As they watched, the doorman held the door open for a thin blonde woman in a white suit, who came out walking a dog. He hated buildings like this.
    “Well, there’s at least one person in this city who doesn’t seem too worried about a terror attack,” Luke said.
    Ed slumped way back in his seat. He seemed half asleep. With Ed’s beige cargo pants and the white T-shirt painted on to his chiseled features, his cue ball head, and his close-cropped beard, he didn’t look like anyone’s idea of a federal agent. He certainly didn’t look like anyone this building would allow in.
    As Luke thought about Ali Nassar, he was annoyed at his diplomatic immunity. He hoped that Nassar didn’t try to make a big deal about it. Luke had no patience to negotiate.
    Luke’s phone rang. He glanced at it. He pressed the button.
    “Trudy,” he said.

Similar Books

Susan Boyle

John McShane

The Other Language

Francesca Marciano

IronStar

Grant Hallman

Essential Stories

V.S. Pritchett

Loved by You

Kate Perry

Our Little Secret

Starr Ambrose

Ransom

Erica Sutherhome

Sins of Sarah

Anne Styles