The Book of Joshua II - Believe (The Gems & Gents Series 3) Read online

  “You don’t have to justify your lack of service to me or anyone else. Certainly not to the Admiral or the assholes that follow him. For some reason, they believe carrying a gun is the answer to every ill in the world. The hell with them,” James shouted. “We go in and get Joshua. Apparently the Admiral has forgotten the fifth stanza of the Army Ranger creed, which states, ‘I shall never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy’ quote, unquote. The dumb ass.”

  JD and Calvin stared at James. They had known the man for a number years now .They could count on one hand the number of times they had seen him pissed.

  JD grinned. “Thank you for being pissed on my behalf.”

  James nodded his head. “You’re welcome.” The three men laughed. James stood. “You may want to give Al a call. The property Joshua was on belongs to his friend Alejandro Mateo.”

  “Name sounds familiar,” JD lowered his head trying to remember how he knew the name. His head shot up. “He was the man who tipped Al on the McClintock assassination attempt during the campaign.”

  “He is also the head of the Mexican Cartel,” Calvin added. “The request for assistance should not come from you or this office.”

  JD turned from Calvin. “Understood.”

  ❖❖❖

  A few hours later, President Harrison, walked into the private residence of the White House where he was promptly greeted by the sound of laughter coming from the family room. Regardless of what the day threw his way, those sounds always soothed his soul. He listened as his youngest girls, Brianna and Gabby laughed joyously at something his baby boy, William was doing.

  “Do you have to make all that noise?”

  JD grinned and lowered his head. Ah yes, Jazzy, he thought. His eleven year-old daughter, who for some reason which was unclear to him, thought she was twenty. JD loved his children. They were healthy and happy, more due to their mother than anything he’d ever done. He walked into the room and was bombarded with hugs.

  “Daddy,” they called out in unison.

  JD kissed each of his girls, then reached down and picked up William. He kissed his son on the cheek, then took a seat on the sofa. Gabby climbed onto his free leg, as Brianna sat next to him. Jasmine, who they all called Jazzy stood in front of him. “What have you been up to today?” JD asked.

  They all began to talk at the same time. Miraculously, JD seemed to understand what each of them was saying.

  “Wait, we can’t all talk to Daddy at the same time,” Jazzy said with her hands on her hips. “I’m the oldest. I will tell him.”

  “Tell me what Jazzy?”

  That made Jazzy smile, for she now had her father’s full attention. The other children quieted down as Jazzy spoke. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, then began talking. “Well, Daddy, I think JC got in trouble at school. I don’t know why, and when I tried to talk to him, he said I was too young and wouldn’t understand. Daddy, I’m not that much younger than he is and I don’t like it when he calls me young. Grandma Lena said, “I’m a maturing young woman.”

  “Grandma Lena would say something like that,” he tweaked her nose. “But you are my baby girl. I want you to stay that way for a little while longer, he kissed her on the forehead. The child’s smile was as bright as her mother’s. “Where’s your mother?”

  Jazzy’s smile faded away. She hunched her shoulders. “I don’t know. Probably somewhere with JC.”

  “She’s in the kitchen, Daddy,” Gabby offered, earning a frown from her big sister.

  He sat the children down and stood.

  “Daddy, you can’t go yet.” Jazzy grabbed his hand. “We haven’t finished talking.”

  JD squeezed her hand. “We’ll talk later. I need to talk to your mother first.”

  “Why? You can talk to me Daddy. I’ll listen.”

  “I know you will Jazzy, but this is something for Daddy and Mommy.” He walked out of the room and away from the frowning child.

  He found his wife, Tracy, in the kitchen, at the island stirring something. He walked up behind her, eased his arms around her waist, then kissed her neck. “Didn’t Mrs. Gordon tell you to stay out of her kitchen?”

  “Yes, and so did all the other cooks in this place, but I wanted to make this soup for you,” she turned. “Taking a break?”

  “I wanted to talk with you about something.” He frowned as she spooned him a taste of the soup. “It needs a little sugar.” His lips touched hers the moment he finished the sentence. “Mmm, that’s much better,” he smiled. Tracy looked up at him with sparkling brown eyes. They had been married fifteen years and he still wanted to make love to her every time he looked at her. “You are a beautiful first lady, did you know that?”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

  “It got me five children on our way to twelve.”

  “Ha, you must be having the other seven. I’m finished buddy.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her on the neck. “Are you sure about that?”

  She closed her eyes and inhaled, taking in the scent of him. “You make a compelling argument Mr. President. However, as much as I would like to engage in the process of procreation, we are not having another child.”

  “Speaking of my children, what’s going on with JC? Jazzy said he got into some kind of trouble at school.”

  Tracy exhaled, shaking her head. “JC did not get into trouble at school. Where did she get that?”

  “I have no idea, that’s your daughter.”

  “Oh no, you spoiled that one rotten.”

  He kissed her cheek and took the spoon from her to dig into the soup again. “That’s because she looks so much like you.” He tasted the soup, and smiled. “Just right.”

  Tracy took the spoon and hit him on the shoulder. “Stop eating out of the pot.”

  JD grimaced as if the hit hurt and grinned as he took off his blazer and sat at the table. “Have you spoken to Al today?”

  “No,” Tracy turned to look at him. His looked indicated that this was something more than just a casual inquiry into her brother’s well being. “Why?”

  “Just wondering,” he said as he lowered his head.

  Tracy watched her husband for a moment, then turned back to the stove. “I’m going to call him later. Anything in particular you want to ask about?”

  “Alejandro Mateo,” JD replied. Tracy nodded, but asked no questions. “So what’s happening with JC?”

  Tracy looked out the door to ensure no agents were standing there, then inhaled. “He’s worried about you.”

  “About me? Why?”

  Tracy shrugged her shoulders, the same way Jazzy had moments ago. “I’m not sure. He mentioned something about traitors in your administration. I think you should talk to him.”

  “I don’t want him to worry about that.”

  “I know,” she turned to face her husband, who was looking a little dejected. “JC is an intuitive young man. He sits back watching and listening to everything. He may not say much, but he is always aware of things and people around him.”

  “Your brains and my good looks. I tell you, that son of ours is going to be something.”

  Tracy smiled. “Like his father.”

  JD stood. “No, JC is going to exceed everything I’ve ever done.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to talk to him. I’ll be right back.”

  Tracy watched as her six foot four, two hundred and twenty pound husband, grabbed his suit jacket and walked out of the room. The man looks good coming and going.

  JD knocked, then walked into his son’s room. Most fourteen-year-old boys would have clothes all over the floor, with video games keeping them company, JC’s room looked more like a study hall. Books were neatly tucked away on shelves, a television was ensconced inside an insert in the wall, and the walls were covered with maps of the world. The video games were arranged alphabetically on the shelves. The gaming system was not on, but the television was on and tuned into World News.

  JC, who was s
itting at his desk reading, looked up when his father entered the room.

  “Hey son, you have a few minutes for your Dad?”

  “Anytime,” the young boy replied as he closed his book. “Is everything okay?”

  “Of course it is. Why do you ask?”

  “I saw you standing at the window with your hands in your pockets and your head down last night. That’s usually an indication that you are trying to work something out in your mind. Do you want to talk about it?”

  JD wanted to smile, but he knew how serious JC was, and the truth of the matter was he enjoyed talking things through with his son. They talked regularly and it never ceased to amaze him just how insightful his son was. JD sat on the bed, kicked off his shoes, then sat back against the wall. “A friend is in trouble. I have to decide if we should help him or not.”

  JC pulled his chair up in front of his dad, rested his elbows on his legs then clasped his hands together. “You help your friend, Dad. A man has a few things he values above all else: his word, his wife, family, and his friends. Your friend is in need.” He shrugged his shoulders as if nothing more needed to be said.

  Inside JD was smiling, but he nodded to his son as if he was in deep thought. “You have a point.” He sighed. “We’re friends, right?”

  “No, Dad,” JC grinned. “You are not supposed to be my friend. You are my father, mentor, and role model.” JC sat back, “But we’re cool.”

  JD smiled displaying the identical dimple his son was showing. “I’m happy to hear that son.” He cleared his throat. “Since we’re cool, would you tell me what happened in school today?”

  JC stared at his father for a moment, then stood. He walked over to the window, put his hands in his pants pockets, then hung his head. The last thing he wanted to do was add to his father’s worries. As the leader of the free world, not only did the people of the United States depend on him, every country expected him to keep peace amongst them. The things that happened to him in school, because of who his parents were, he should be able to handle. Today was a little different. This involved an adult. He knew he should not have disrespected the man, but there was no way he could allow what he said to go unchecked.

  JD watched the play of emotions across his son’s face. Whatever transpired concerned him deeply. JD stood, slipped back into his shoes, and walked over to the window next to JC. He put his hands in his pockets, then looked down at his son. “You know, what’s going on in the world does not supersede what’s happening with you. I am your father first. All other roles come after that.”

  JC, who now stood about five feet eleven inches and was still growing, put his hand on his dad’s shoulder and a finger to his lips. He looked up at his Dad with his serious brown eyes as he reached into his desk drawer to pull out what looked like a pen. He pushed the top and a green light began to flash, then turned solid.

  “Son,” a questioning JD began to speak, but JC, again put his finger up to his lips to silence his father as he continued to walk around the room.

  “School was just school Dad.” As he walked back to his father, the light began to flash. JC frowned. He looked up at his father, who appeared to be as confused as he was. “You want to go shoot some hoops?” JC pointed to the green light then to his dad, then to his ear. “You will have to change your clothes.”

  The reality of what was happening hit JD like a ton of bricks. He took JC by the shoulder and pulled him from the room. “I think that’s a good idea.” He motioned to the Secret Service Agent outside the door to come inside. JC pulled away, gave a slight shake of his head then stared at his father. JD saw the look of concern in his son’s eyes and immediately changed what he was about to say. The agent came into the foyer of the living quarters. “We’re going to shoot some hoops. Would you secure the court?”

  The agent nodded. “I’ll have that taken care of Mr. President.” He put his finger to his earpiece and began speaking as he walked from the room.

  JD swiftly walked across the hallway into the master bedroom then stripped out of his suit. He slipped into a pair of sweats and a top as he picked up his cell to dial a number.

  JC watched his father take steps to secure the room. JD placed the clothes he was wearing into a plastic bag. His father gave him a pair of sweats then held his hand out. JC knew he wanted the device. He gave the pen to his father and watched as he scanned the sweats he had put on. Once he was satisfied, he placed the bagged clothes inside the bathroom suite, turned the shower on then closed the door behind him.

  Love was one thing when it came to family. Admiration was something different. JC not only loved his father, he admired his calmness under difficult situations.

  “What is this? Where did you get it?”

  JC, pulled the sweat shirt over his head then looked at his father. “Mr. Joshua gave it to me. I use it regularly to check my room for listening devices.”

  “Why?”

  “For reasons like this Dad.” The young man looked up at his father. “You are always talking to Mom about being too trusting. You’re just as bad.” JC, shook his head then bent down to pick up his discarded clothes from the floor. “You are trusting people you shouldn’t,” JC said as he turned back to his father. Instead of tossing the clothes in a corner, as most young men his age would do, he placed them on the bed and began folding them.

  The action reminded JD so much of Tracy he almost smiled, but the situation was too serious. JD placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “JC,” JD inhaled, “look at me son. Tell me what happened in school today.”

  JC exhaled. “Dad, I think Vice-President McClintock is coming after your administration.”

  Of all the things JD expected, that was not one. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. “Why would you be concerned with Vice-President McClintock?”

  Before JC could answer, a knock sounded at the door. Brian Thompson, the head of JD’s personal security detail walked into the room. The two had been friends since high school. It was Brian who had taken a few bullets in his back to save JC when he was two-years-old. He was still taking JD and his family’s protection personally.

  Standing six-three, dressed in his signature black suit, white collar shirt with no tie, he closed the door behind him. “What’s going on?” He looked from JD to JC.

  JD handed the device to Brian. “According to this, there is a listening device in my clothes.”

  Brian looked from JD to JC, then back at the device in his hand. “Good work,” he handed the device back to JC. “Where are they?”

  JD hesitated for a moment then nodded, “In the bathroom.” He looked at his son then Brian. “You know about this?” He asked as Brian walked into the bathroom.

  “Sure,” he replied when he walked back into the room. As if there was nothing to it, he pulled out his cell phone. “I need a clean sweep team in the residence.” He disconnected the call, then put his cell phone away. He looked at JC. “What made you sweep the room?”

  “I was about to tell Dad about school today. The information was sensitive, so I did what you and Mr. Joshua told me. Secure the discussion area.”

  Brian smiled as he nodded his head, “I’m going to make you an agent yet.”

  JD watched as the two talked. The idea of his son or any of his children being involved in security issues did not sit well with him. He started to say something, but Brian’s next question stopped him.

  “Did McClintock come?”

  “No, his wife spoke to the class.”

  “Did she approach you?”

  “No, but one of her advisors did, and I did not like him.”

  “What!” JD exclaimed. “What in the hell is going on here Brian? Why is McClintock approaching any of my children? And why in the hell does it seem like you are aware of something I’m not.”

  “Because it’s my job to protect you and your family.” Brian replied. “As for McClintock, I’m attempting to determine that now.”

  “Okay. Everyone let’s take it down a not
ch or two.” JC looked from his Dad, who looked very angry, to Brian, who seemed to want answers. “Dad, Vice-President McClintock was scheduled to speak to our Government class today. Uncle Brian told me to be on guard in case he tried to get his agenda to you through me. As it turned out, he wasn’t there, Mrs. McClintock came.”

  “Did she approach you?” A concerned JD asked.

  “No, however, one of her advisors did and as I said before, I did not like him.”

  “Did you get a name?” JD asked, angry at the thought that anyone from his administration would dare approach any of his children.

  JC replied. “His name was Holt.”

  “David Holt?” JD and Brian yelled out the question in unison.

  Chapter Two

  Mexico

  Roc stood on the cliff overlooking the property known to belong to Alejandro Mateo, the head of the Mexican drug cartel. Any move onto his property without prior consent could have repercussions on many levels. Looking at the handheld, the message was clear. Wait for orders to proceed. Holding patterns to wait for government approval always placed this type of operation in jeopardy. However, to Roc, an order was an order. It was not to be questioned. It was to be followed. The distance from the drop point to the location of the victim was minimal, less than a hundred yards away. There were no concerns about getting to the victim. It was the victim’s weakening condition that made time their enemy. How long they would have to remain stationary depended upon the man known as the legendary Absolute.

  The man’s reputation preceded him even in her circle of inactive agents. When she received the call to rescue him, it was an honor. It spoke volumes of the White House’s belief in her ability to bring one of the country’s beloved agents home—alive. That was the order. As she watched the cabin, that was the only thing on her mind. Bringing Absolute home—alive. According to her handler, the man’s vitals were weakening by the minute. Meanwhile she waited for the order from the same White House that had assigned her this mission.

  Pushing the frustration away, Roc surveyed the premises to determine the best point of entry. Using her handheld, she scanned for explosives. Anyone who knew anything about Absolute, knew his preferred method to kill was blowing people out of the hemisphere. The handheld began blinking. She had her answer. The entire house was surrounded with explosives. The two windows on the front and the door, all indicated some type of explosive was connected. Roc smiled, even injured, the man was thorough. With that in mind, Roc searched with her eyes for devices the handheld may not detect. Why did that thought cross her mind? Because it’s exactly what she would have done under the circumstances. Her search discovered devices leading to the front porch. Roc exhaled, “All right Absolute, make life difficult, why don’t you.”