Bill Thompson [Thompson - Order of Succession

Order of Succession:

Getting Away with Murder

Book Five of the

Brian Sadler Archaeological Thrillers

Bill Thompson

Published by

Ascendente Books
Dallas, Texas

This is a work of fiction. The events and characters described herein are imaginary and any reference to specific places or living persons is incidental. The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal rights to publish all the materials in this book.

Order of Succession

All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2016

V.1.0

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic or mechanical without the express written consent of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Published by Ascendente Books

ISBN 978-0996467100

Printed in the United States of Americ a

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my wife Marjorie, who patiently puts up with me when Im writing. Weve traveled to places Im sure you never expected to go. Weve climbed Mayan temples in Belize, experienced the wonders of Petra and the pyramids of Egypt, navigated ancient tunnels in Israel and seen the sun sink like a ball of fire into Banderas Bay at dusk. And weve just begun. We have many more things to see!

I love you and appreciate you more every single day.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As always, I thank my beta readers Bob, Peggy, Jeff, Ryan and Margie. Each of your efforts contributes to the critical review process and I appreciate your time and willingness to help.

CHAPTER ONE

The First Day

Tuesday, March 31, 9:30 p.m. Eastern time

We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news.

When one of ABC's senior newscasters, a man with decades of experience, appeared flustered and uncertain, it could only mean one thing something catastrophic had happened. The familiar anchor behind the news desk had obviously been pressed into service quickly. His shirt collar was open and he wasn't wearing a jacket. His microphone had been so quickly affixed to his collar that it hung to one side.

We go now to the White House for a special briefing.

The press secretary walked to his usual place behind the podium, glanced at his notes and began to read.

Air Force Two, with the Vice President and the Secretary of State on board, disappeared from radar less than half an hour ago over the Pacific Ocean southwest of Hawaii. The plane was en route from Honolulu to Hong Kong, where Vice President Taylor and Secretary Clancy were meeting tomorrow with Xi Jinxing, President of the People's Republic of China, to discuss economic issues.

The last radar transmission showed the plane near the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean. There were no apparent weather issues. A squadron of military aircraft is en route to the area.

At the moment, President Harrison and his family are aboard Air Force One en route to the United States from the Caribbean nation of Barbados, where he attended a conference. The President has been briefed on the situation and he urges citizens to remain calm. For now we simply don't know what has happened.

The Secretary of Defense announced that as a precautionary measure, the nation's security level has been raised to DEFCON 3. The President ordered the level increased from DEFCON 5, the lowest level, where it has been for many years. The last time the nation was at DEFCON 3 was after the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The press secretary ended the news conference without taking questions for which there simply were no answers. How could a Boeing 747 simply disappear? Had there been mechanical trouble? Did the plane explode? Americans prayed this wouldn't end up as a terrible tragedy.

President William Henry Harrison IV was in his office aboard Air Force One when the head of the National Security Agency and the Secretary of Defense called to report Vice President Taylor's aircraft missing. Secretary Clark recommended the President's plane immediately divert from its flight plan, aborting the trip to Dallas and instead flying directly to the nearest air base, the Naval Air Station at Key West. The President concurred, and within minutes the radar station at Marathon, Florida, noted the aircraft's new course.

The night's second horrific announcement came just twenty minutes after the first. This story sent the world into a tailspin of dread. This day would be remembered forever, just like that beautiful Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, when one horrific plane crash became two, then three, and everyone realized this was all part of a plan, the largest terror attack ever waged against the United States of America.

Shortly after the world learned that the Vice President's plane was missing, the media watched the White House press secretary as he returned to the podium for his second news conference in thirty minutes. This time he brushed away tears before he spoke.

_____

Please bear with me as we get through this together as a nation drawn into confusion. Now tears were streaming down his face . A few moments ago Air Force One disappeared from radar, exactly as Air Force Two did earlier. The President, his wife and children, the Chief of Staff and the plane's crew were over the Caribbean Sea en route to the Naval Air Station at Key West. After the Vice President's plane disappeared, President Harrison's plane was immediately diverted to the closest military installation.

Massive search-and-rescue operations will soon be under way at both locations. It's daytime in the Pacific where Air Force Two was last on radar, but there are several hours of darkness left in the Caribbean Sea where Air Force One disappeared. Regardless, massive efforts are already beginning.

The press secretary paused to compose himself. President Harry Harrison was loved and revered by his staff and most American citizens. He was a man whose vibrant personality and quick wit made him seem more like an average guy than the wealthy former senator he was. The press secretary had become particularly close to Harrison, and he choked back a sob as he read the next words.

Speaker of the House Chambliss Parkes is next in the order of succession to the presidency. Although no final word about the President is known at this time, the Speaker and his family have been moved to a secret location until more information develops. Several agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, the FBI and CIA are working jointly with the Department of Defense in the ongoing investigation.

The press secretary paused as an aide walked to the stage and handed him a piece of paper. He looked at it. The people seated in front of him couldn't miss the involuntary shudder as he read what was on the note.

The Defense Secretary contacted Speaker Parkes moments ago. The Speaker ordered security raised to its highest readiness level, DEFCON 1. The United States has never before been at DEFCON 1.

As the news conference continued, the correspondents began furiously typing on their cellphones, searching to see what impact the highest threat level carried.

I will now read a brief statement from Speaker Parkes. I quote, "Although we have no tangible reason to believe the country could be threatened at this time, both the President and Vice President are missing. The Secretary of Defense recommended we go to DEFCON 1 as a prudent measure and I agreed. I urge the American people to remain calm. There is no reason to panic." End quote.

The press secretary paused, wishing to God there would be no questions, yet knowing that wasn't going to happen. The handful of reporters who had been hanging around the White House this evening were suddenly the world's news sources. Hands flew into the air and reporters shot rapid-fire questions with the urgency that accompanied fear and lack of understanding.