Page 78 of Edge of Honor

Muting the TV, he opened a tab on his browser and surfed over to Chuck Coughlin’s site, where the podcaster was already dissecting the VP’s remarks for his millions of followers.

“All right folks,” Coughlin began, his neon American flag blazing behind him, “you just heard it—live, direct from Capitol Hill—Vice President Chris Cates addressing the nation in the wake of today’s tragic attack on a Secret Service motorcade transporting the Dutch and Norwegian delegations in town for the big NATO Summit on Friday. And let me tell you, Cates didn’t mince words. He didn’t hide behind political rhetoric or empty promises. What we heard today was the kind of leadership America needs, and frankly, the kind we’ve beenbeggingfor.

“You could feel the weight in his words, couldn’t you? The Vice President didn’t just speak about the attack in vague terms. He didn’t give us the same tired speeches about ‘thoughts and prayers’ and ‘strengthening alliances’ like we’re used to hearing from the establishment. No. Cates made it clear that this wasn’t just an attack on foreign diplomats, this was an attack onAmerica. This was an attack on our borders, on our sovereignty, on our security. And you know what? I’m glad he said it. Because someone had to.”

Leaning in as if talking to a trusted friend, Coughlin said, “And let’s not forget, Cates didn’t stop there. He laid it out for everyone to hear: These attacks, the loss of innocent lives—they are a wake-up call. The chaos in our streets, the bloodshed, it’s all a symptom of a much bigger problem. A broken system that has ignored the needs of the American people for far too long. Cates hasfinallysaid what we’ve all known, what I’ve been telling you for years: America is under attack—from within and from abroad—and if we’re going to survive, it’s time to stop being the world’s police, to stop giving our hard-earned dollars away to other countries, and to stop apologizing for puttingAmericafirst.

“I’ll tell you this—that speech? That wasn’t just a Vice President doing his job. That was a leader stepping up andshowingus the way forward. You could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice—Cates is ready to make the hard calls. He’s ready to put the globalists in their place and put the safety of the American people above all else. And folks, let’s be honest, that’s the kind of leader this countrydesperatelyneeds right now.

“And here’s the bottom line—President Mitchell? He had his chance.He campaigned on the same platform, promising to put We the People first. Yet what has he done? More of the same—empty speeches, global appeasement, and zero action. He’ssoft, folks. He’s soft on America’s security, soft on defeating the establishment, and soft on defending our interests. And that’s why, as much as it hurts me to say it, President Mitchell must step aside. He’s not the leader this country needs.”

Coughlin paused to let that sink in and then, with his voice more resolute, stated, “But Cates? He’s the real deal. Cates is the man who’snot afraidto take the tough steps to put America first. He’s the one who’s going to stand up to the global elites and take our country back. And let me tell you, folks, I’m not the only one who sees it. People across this country are waking up to the fact that Vice President Cates is the leader we have been waiting for.

“Now, I want you to think about this—Cates just said it himself: No more apologies. No more distractions. This endsnow. We can’t afford to wait any longer. It’s time for America to take charge of its future again. And I have to say, after hearing Cates today… I believe we’re on the verge of something big. Somethinggreat.”

As his stirring and patriotic outro music faded in, Coughlin brought it all home. “My friends, we are entering a new chapter. And it looks like Chris Cates is going to be the one to lead us there. All I can say is buckle up, because this is just the beginning.

“And with that, it’s another three hours of Bunker Radio in the can. I’ll see you right back here tomorrow. Until then, remember—when you’re under attack, Chuck Coughlin has your back. And we are all,definitely, under attack. Stay safe, America.”

Closing the tab on his computer, Senator Blackwood smiled.Thatwas more like it. That was what he had wanted from Coughlin—a resounding denunciation of President Mitchell and a rousing vote of confidence for Vice President Cates.

Combined with Cates’s fantastic remarks, that was going to help get people leaning even more in the right direction.

Then all America would need was one good push.

CHAPTER 39

The crappy, dark blue 2010 Chevy Malibu with no air-conditioning, dented rims, and a scratch down the right rear quarter panel was waiting for them, about two miles later, when they finally made their way off the Dulles Access Road.

When Harvath had informed Nicholas that morning that he didn’t need it anymore, Nicholas had sent a team to the parking garage in McLean to retrieve it. Sliding the keys from behind the rear license plate, he sent Nicholas a quick thank-you text. He was grateful that it was so close and easy to drop off. Somewhere inside the Carlton Group, there was probably an angry employee who, tired of being a glorified valet, was putting together a Scot Harvath voodoo doll.

“Pretty nice, huh?” he asked as Sølvi tossed her jacket next to his on the back seat and fastened her seat belt.

She grunted in response.

“You should probably take your body armor off too.”

“Can we just get going please?”

“Fine,” he replied, firing up the car and putting it in gear.

As soon as they started moving, Sølvi reached for the air-conditioning controls, switching the temperature tomax coldand turning the fan up as high as it would go. He knew it was useless, but he kept his mouth shut. She’d figure it out soon enough.

“Damn it,” she eventually said and rolled her window down.

Removing her sweat-drenched shirt, she peeled off her body armor,tossed both in back, and sat in the passenger seat in her jog bra, hands behind her head, trying to cool off.

“Sorry about the AC,” he said, rolling his own window down now.

Closing her eyes, she stated, “If you’ve got any more bad news for me, now would be the time to get it out of your system.”

He toyed with the idea of admitting that the car was only a four-banger, but even people with exquisite senses of humor had their limits. She’d been through hell. She deserved a break.

“Other than the fact that we’re not the only people trying to get back into D.C. using surface streets? No more bad news,” he replied.

“Good,” she said, lowering her arms, her eyes still closed. “I’m going to try to get a little sleep.”

Leaving the radio off, he let her get some rest and focused on the drive. It didn’t take long, though, for his mind to wander.

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