BooksBarbecue
Back The Neighborhood Save as PDF
Chapters (59)
  1. Part I Reconnaissance
  2. Chapter One
  3. Chapter Two
  4. Chapter Three
  5. Part II Incursion
  6. Chapter Four
  7. Chapter Five
  8. Chapter Six
  9. Chapter Seven
  10. Chapter Eight
  11. Chapter Nine
  12. Chapter Ten
  13. Part III Under Siege
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Part IV Course Correction
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Part V Balance of Power
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Chapter Twenty-One
  27. Chapter Twenty-Two
  28. Chapter Twenty-Three
  29. Chapter Twenty-Four
  30. Chapter Twenty-Five
  31. Chapter Twenty-Six
  32. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  33. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  34. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  35. Part VI Spy versus Spy
  36. Chapter Thirty
  37. Chapter Thirty-One
  38. Chapter Thirty-Two
  39. Chapter Thirty-Three
  40. Part VII Winds of War and Flame
  41. Chapter Thirty-Four
  42. Chapter Thirty-Five
  43. Chapter Thirty-Six
  44. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  45. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  46. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  47. Chapter Forty
  48. Chapter Forty-One
  49. Part VIII Strong to the Finish
  50. Chapter Forty-Two
  51. Chapter Forty-Three
  52. Part IX Spy Games
  53. Chapter Forty-Four
  54. Chapter Forty-Five
  55. Chapter Forty-Six
  56. Part X What Goes Around
  57. Chapter Forty-Seven
  58. Chapter Forty-Eight
  59. About the Author

“Sorry for the wait, Mr. Chambers,” Phillips said. “Director Jamieson understands and said he’d be happy to meet you there. You’ll see the black Suburban in approximately ninety minutes. Thank you for your flexibility on such short notice,” Phillips said.

“I’ll be waiting,” Zack said.

“Perfect. If you need to reach me, you have the number on caller ID. It’s a direct line to me.”

“Understood. Goodbye,” Zack said.

“Goodbye, Mr. Chambers.” And the line went dead.

“Look at you, commanding the CIA to do your bidding. I’m impressed. It’s a total turn-on,” Steph said mischievously. “You think we have enough time for that shower before they get here?”

“For you, babe, I’ll always make time,” Zack replied, and stood up from the table to take his beautiful wife’s hand.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter
FORTY-EIGHT

As the black government Suburban pulled into his driveway, Zack opened the front door and stepped out onto his front porch. Simultaneously, the driver’s door and right rear passenger door opened and out stepped Director Matthew Jamieson and his driver. Zack noted an additional member of the director’s security detail in the front passenger seat. Security in numbers, he thought, amused.

Director Jamieson was younger than previous directors of the world’s foremost intelligence agency. In his early fifties with a full head of jet-black hair and a lean physique, he was an exception to the usual heavyset and weathered figures of previous directors. A former clandestine officer like most directors, he’d spent his career all over the world in various posts, combating evolving threats in ways that would never be disclosed to the public. Zack had read that the man was smart, aggressive, and ambitious, but that those traits were balanced by an innate sensitivity and thoughtfulness he concealed except from those in his inner circle. He was also reported to be brutally direct, although not with the typical condescension or arrogance that accompanied it.

Zack waved to the director, when he heard, “New friends, Mr. Bauer?” He turned and smiled at Sam Hawkins, who sat on her front steps and studied the newcomers. She was dressed in sweatpants, a teal hoodie, and slippers. Zack vividly recalled the same situation—she sitting on her steps, calling out to him on the afternoon of the siege—and the image sent a chill up his spine. Don’t be jumpy. There’s no need for it anymore.

As the director walked up the driveway under the watchful gaze of his driver and the other member of the detail, Zack replied, “Unfinished business.”

“Really?” Sam asked, her curiosity piqued. “They look like spooks. They are, aren’t they?”

Zack laughed. “As a matter of fact, they are.”

Sam nodded and looked intensely at Director Jamieson, never once averting her eyes from his face. She’s testing him, Zack thought. Good God, that girl is brave.