[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.” But with a quick flourish, he signed the document and handed it back.He reached for another cigarette and his lighter.“Two in one day?” Zach asked.The president gave him a dangerous look.“Some days are longer than others.”Zach took the hint and headed for the door.As he left, he heard the president exhale heavily as he muttered to himself: “How quickly they grow up.”GRAVES STACKED THE LAST of his papers into his briefcase.He never thought retirement would be so much goddamn work.When he’d woken up a couple of weeks ago and learned he was still in the old world, he’d felt the inevitable disappointment.He’d failed.The Snakeheads were not tearing through America’s heartland.Everything was pretty much the same as it was the day before.He imagined this must be how a lot of people felt on the morning of January 1, 2000.The Site itself: total loss.The DNA necessary to create the Snakeheads burned to nothing.The Company was looking for new branches of the Marsh family tree, but no one was optimistic about that.Despite his failure, the Company had no hard feelings.At least, not enough to send a hit squad after him.As a gold watch, Graves was elevated to CEO of Archer/Andrews.He’d spend the rest of his days in comfort, secure in the respect and admiration of his peers.He’d earned it.Other men, younger men, would carry on the battle for the new world now.He’d help where he could.Until it arrived, he intended to enjoy himself.Unfortunately, the executive flights to Dubai and steak dinners were put on hold as every federal agency in town stormed the gates.Within days of Graves’s return from Iowa, congressional subpoenas hit the offices.The IRS began an audit.FBI agents were talking to A/A clients, and there were rumors of a federal grand jury.Now even the reporters smelled blood and were circling.He knew where this was coming from, of course: the White House.He never thought that little bastard Barrows could generate so many problems in such a short amount of time.He’d just spent another long day calming the fears of the board members while overseeing damage control.The lawyers called every twenty minutes.The shredders in the basement were running full-time, and Graves had a tech team wiping hard drives in every office.Graves looked at his watch—past nine P.M.At least he’d get out before midnight, for a change.Then he noticed the figure standing at the door of his office.He pursed his lips in disgust.Cade.Great.That was all he needed.Graves sighed.“I don’t suppose you’re here for a job.”“Not exactly.”“Do we really have to do this again? You cannot touch me.Ever.And I will never fear you again.Learn to accept defeat.Or don’t.Either way, I have a busy schedule this week.”“You’re an important man.I know that,” Cade said as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.“I promise, this won’t take long.”He slid a single sheet of paper across the desk.Graves recognized the form.An order for Indefinite Preventive Detention.The signature under “authorization” was crisp and clear: the President of the United States.And in the line at the top, Graves saw his own name.The one he’d left behind when he joined the Company.His real name: PETER SINCLAIR.True names have power.He remembered telling someone that.He broke out in a cold sweat.Cade’s mouth twitched in amusement.Bell’s last gift.She really was a genius at research.Colonel Graves was the recipient of a presidential pardon.Immune from all prosecution or sanction.Untouchable.Peter Sinclair, on the other hand.“You have been designated as an enemy combatant, Colonel,” Cade said.“No,” Graves said.“You can’t do this.”Cade took a step closer to the desk.Graves’s voice rose to a scream.“No.You can’t do this! I have rights! ”Cade smiled.“Not anymore.”There was more after that, but Cade hadn’t been lying.It didn’t take long.For him.For Graves, it lasted the rest of his life.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI’ve been lucky enough to have the help and support of many people in writing this book [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.” But with a quick flourish, he signed the document and handed it back.He reached for another cigarette and his lighter.“Two in one day?” Zach asked.The president gave him a dangerous look.“Some days are longer than others.”Zach took the hint and headed for the door.As he left, he heard the president exhale heavily as he muttered to himself: “How quickly they grow up.”GRAVES STACKED THE LAST of his papers into his briefcase.He never thought retirement would be so much goddamn work.When he’d woken up a couple of weeks ago and learned he was still in the old world, he’d felt the inevitable disappointment.He’d failed.The Snakeheads were not tearing through America’s heartland.Everything was pretty much the same as it was the day before.He imagined this must be how a lot of people felt on the morning of January 1, 2000.The Site itself: total loss.The DNA necessary to create the Snakeheads burned to nothing.The Company was looking for new branches of the Marsh family tree, but no one was optimistic about that.Despite his failure, the Company had no hard feelings.At least, not enough to send a hit squad after him.As a gold watch, Graves was elevated to CEO of Archer/Andrews.He’d spend the rest of his days in comfort, secure in the respect and admiration of his peers.He’d earned it.Other men, younger men, would carry on the battle for the new world now.He’d help where he could.Until it arrived, he intended to enjoy himself.Unfortunately, the executive flights to Dubai and steak dinners were put on hold as every federal agency in town stormed the gates.Within days of Graves’s return from Iowa, congressional subpoenas hit the offices.The IRS began an audit.FBI agents were talking to A/A clients, and there were rumors of a federal grand jury.Now even the reporters smelled blood and were circling.He knew where this was coming from, of course: the White House.He never thought that little bastard Barrows could generate so many problems in such a short amount of time.He’d just spent another long day calming the fears of the board members while overseeing damage control.The lawyers called every twenty minutes.The shredders in the basement were running full-time, and Graves had a tech team wiping hard drives in every office.Graves looked at his watch—past nine P.M.At least he’d get out before midnight, for a change.Then he noticed the figure standing at the door of his office.He pursed his lips in disgust.Cade.Great.That was all he needed.Graves sighed.“I don’t suppose you’re here for a job.”“Not exactly.”“Do we really have to do this again? You cannot touch me.Ever.And I will never fear you again.Learn to accept defeat.Or don’t.Either way, I have a busy schedule this week.”“You’re an important man.I know that,” Cade said as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.“I promise, this won’t take long.”He slid a single sheet of paper across the desk.Graves recognized the form.An order for Indefinite Preventive Detention.The signature under “authorization” was crisp and clear: the President of the United States.And in the line at the top, Graves saw his own name.The one he’d left behind when he joined the Company.His real name: PETER SINCLAIR.True names have power.He remembered telling someone that.He broke out in a cold sweat.Cade’s mouth twitched in amusement.Bell’s last gift.She really was a genius at research.Colonel Graves was the recipient of a presidential pardon.Immune from all prosecution or sanction.Untouchable.Peter Sinclair, on the other hand.“You have been designated as an enemy combatant, Colonel,” Cade said.“No,” Graves said.“You can’t do this.”Cade took a step closer to the desk.Graves’s voice rose to a scream.“No.You can’t do this! I have rights! ”Cade smiled.“Not anymore.”There was more after that, but Cade hadn’t been lying.It didn’t take long.For him.For Graves, it lasted the rest of his life.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSI’ve been lucky enough to have the help and support of many people in writing this book [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]