Page 31 of Chinook Winds

Edward’s expression tightened. “You still won’t let me see my granddaughter?”

Collins hated that he must keep his father from Jamie. “I’m sorry, but no. She’s been through so much. I thought I’d lost her after the attack. I can’t risk anything hurting her at this point.”

Edward smiled, and Collins had to wonder what he found so amusing. There were many secrets his father had. Many he didn’t want to know.

Chapter Nine

“Ihave something.” James had been combing through comments on the message board associated with Strike Force’s video broadcasts.

Victor moved to James’s workstation and looked over his shoulder.

“It’s from someone who identified himself as SL House.”

Victor read the message.

Need to talk to the president right away.The writer left a phone number.

“Who is SL House?” Kinsley asked as she read the message.

“My guess? Seth Lancaster, Speaker of the House. Chase said he wished to speak. If Kincaid is MIA and presumed dead, Lancaster will be sworn in as president.”

“What do you think he wants?” Kinsley wore a worried look on her face.

“I don’t know, but I say let’s call him and find out.” Victor retrieved his phone and called the number on the screen while praying this wasn’t another ploy by Legion to draw them out. He’d met Seth Lancaster many times during his presidency. The man was one of the youngest members of the house and by all appearances a good man. But he’d been surprised by Kincaid and others whom he believed were good people as well.

“Hello?” A man answered the call.

Victor recognized Lancaster’s voice immediately. “Is this SL House?”

Silence followed and then, “It is. Good to speak to you, Mr. President.” The relief in Lancaster’s voice was great.

“I received your message. I can’t imagine what’s going on there right now. What can I help you with?”

Lancaster took his time answering. “I was contacted by General Adam Sinclair earlier.”

Right away, Victor’s radar went up.

When he didn’t respond, Lancaster continued. “He told me President Kincaid is a traitor and part of your group. He said Kincaid had been dealt with and that I was in line to take over the office of the president.”

Collins was hoping to put another puppet in place. “He’s using you. He’ll be calling the shots.”

“I know,” Lancaster confirmed without hesitation. “I’ve been following your broadcasts. Sinclair is Martin Collins, the former CIA agent.”

That Lancaster was listening to their broadcasts was hopeful, but after being betrayed by so many trusted men, Victor wasn’t prepared to let down his guard for a second.

“Mr. President, I’m not naïve. I know exactly what Collins plans to do. That’s why I reached out to you. He’s doing his best to shut down the shift in public opinion. He’s asked to meet with me today again via phone. Things are moving quickly here. He wants the swearing-in to take place immediately following our talk. Said that he’ll handle the announcement to the public. Normally, as you know, in a situation like this, the other branches of the government are involved but not here. It’s like Collins has complete control or thinks he does.”

Which meant Collins had enough people working for him to push Lancaster through without debate.

“I need your help, Mr. President. This has to end. Our country can’t take much more. We can’t let Collins win.”

Victor believed every word Lancaster said. “I’d be happy to help. We have many people who are former military on our team, but we’ll be grossly outmanned. We can’t fight the entire US military.”

“You won’t have to. I know many of our military leaders. You will have the full support of our armed forces and the intelligence community. But we need you back here. Now.”

Victor trusted Lancaster, but he wasn’t ready to divulge how close he and his team really were to D.C.

“Speak with Collins. Then go through the swearing-in, and once you’re in office, reach out to me at this number. You say you can deliver the military, then do it. We’re going to need every person we can get to ferret out the members of Legion and take them down.”

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