Chapter 18

“Make sure that the president sees the tape,” Tancheres says over the video.

“I understand,” the white house aide says with a nod. He picks up the tape. “It has been edited to your specifics.”

“Excellent,” the Sura says, smiling. “Let’s make a good show out of this though. Double the Secret Service guard.”

“What do I say if questioned about it?” the aide questions.

Tancheres frowns. “Don’t start disappointing me with useless questions.“

“Forgive me, my lord,” the aide quickly says. “I will figure something clever.”

“You had better. If this gets fucked up then you will be the first to feel my wrath.“

“It will be done as commanded,” the aide says assuredly, but the screen has already gone blank. “Fuck,” he says silently before stepping out of the room. The aide heads down the hall which is nearly empty having been previously cleared on Todd Nichols’, director of the FBI, recommendation. Other than the aide, the only other people in the hall are Secret Service agents, so he heads for the first agent. “I need you to report in to Director Rodriquez and tell him to double the Secret Service agents this morning,” the aide says quickly. He stands there just long enough for the agent to relay the message through his mic before he proceeds past.

He only gets a few feet past before the agents turns and says, “Hold a second sir. Director Rodriquez is asking where the authorization is coming from.”

The aide turns around abruptly with a flash of anger. “Intel straight from Director Nichols points to the president being compromised, and I’m sure once the president is notified he would like the extra detail.” The aide doesn’t realize he is standing up almost against the agent in a threatening manner until the agent reaches for the inside of his jacket. The aide quickly steps back seeing his error and says, “Tell Rodriquez that if he wants to risks the president’s life over wasting time with authorizations then the blood is on his hands.” And with that the aide spins on his heel and walks away.

The agent quickly removes his hand from his jacket and speaks into his mic. After a quick conversation he leaves his spot and runs in the opposite direction of the aide. The aide looks over his shoulder to see the agent leave and smiles. The aide walks briskly through the near empty halls. As he nears the Oval Office, the halls begin to swell with more people. The walls line with more Secret Service agents and the pathways become more congested with officials and other aides like him. He squeezes and shoulders his way through until he reaches the door to the Oval Office where he is stopped by none other than Director Rodriquez, head of the Secret Service himself.

The large man holds up his hand and says, “You may as well just turn you happy ass around and walk right out the front door before I decide to detain your scrawny little ass.”

The aide glares up at the big man. He towers over the aide. The little man pushes up his thin framed glasses before summoning up the courage to stand up to the larger man. He looks from the left then to the right at the two agents flanking the director then at the director himself and says, “You go ahead detain me. I know you have no love for me and it’s no secret you haven’t liked me since I stepped foot in here.”

“You’re damn right,” Rodriquez admits. “Besides the fact you’re a fucking ass kisser, there is just something not fucking right about you.”

“And you’re basing that fact on what?” the aide glares back at him. “Because my parents were Russian and with recent problems you’re pinning me as a spy?”

“Oh I’ve done some digging, and you’re far too clean and perfect.”

“Good luck with your accusations,” the aide says. He pushes past the big man surprised the director actually moves for him.

As he reaches for the door knob Rodriquez says, “And Lapinsky.” The aide stops but doesn’t turn around. “Remember you said the words not me. When I find the evidence to prove it, I’ll be coming for you personally.”