DRONE (4 page)

Within twelve hours, Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Tyson, and Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, filed joint suit in Federal Court. Within forty-eight hours the dispute was moved up to the Big Show. The Supremes had agreed to hear the case.

Both sides argued long and hard for nearly eight hours straight. Somebody was going to get the shaft. Sheila Koontz outside the Supreme Court Building suggested it would be the American public — “ . . . however this thing turns out.”

One day later, the Court rendered its decision. By a vote of five-to-four, the Supreme Court justices split exactly along party lines. Congress had no authority to supersede the Constitution. Osborn’s votes were deemed valid and were to be counted. They could not be disallowed.

The public once again took to the streets. Republicans were singing with joy. The formerly jubilant Democrats were incensed. Violence ran from fist fights to the burning of buildings. One man in Los Angeles was shot. Meanwhile, the Senate met and dutifully confirmed the election of a dead man.

Robert Osborn.

Chapter
9

It was a
huge crowd January 20th,
up and down Pennsylvania Avenue, across the Capitol Lawn to where the stage was set up on the Capitol Steps Balcony. The big man watched as Chief Justice Hedricks swore in Vice-President-elect Christopher Wall, the country’s first Morman President.

After the oath of office, the new President asked, “ . . . for a moment of silence. For the man who should be here in my place today.”

The crowd became somber and silent. Big and Short were not standing together but they were close enough to have each other in view.

For a moment Big caught Short’s eye, gave a tiny nod. Short nodded back. Just a little blip. A chin tilt. Not one of the President-elect’s assassinators had yet been found. National Transportation and Safety Board investigators recovered brightly-colored plastic pieces of what appeared to be small motorized airborne vehicles in the wreckage. This had not been reported to the public, and probably would not be for some time. Until it was needed.

Big turned back to watch the new President. Wall’s perfectly combed sandy hair lifted lightly in the winter breeze — just a touch of salt along the temples. He wore a beautiful dark blue suit, a gold tie. He was in excellent shape. The man who had appeared unelectable was growing.

During the campaign he’d stayed in the background, never thought to be much of a speaker. On those few occasions when Christopher Wall was required to give a short speech, his voice had been typically flat and featureless.

He’d been good at following orders. Doing as he was told. A worker bee.

He was learning. Wall’s voice rolled, rose and fell now just enough to be a little interesting. He looked relaxed. Presidential. The huge audience was becoming enthralled. He’d picked up a lot from Robert Osborne.

Silently, overhead, flying at ten thousand feet, military drones kept everything and everyone in view.

ALSO BY
MILES A. MAXWELL

Two brothers are connected

by a single link:

Their sister Cynthia

ENTER THE NIGHTMARE

Two years after
Drone,

an atomic bomb is detonated in

New York City. Cynthia lives in New York, and her brothers are determined

to find her.

A second city is destroyed.

In the week that follows
,
while famous religious texts are rediscovered, and popular religious clerics disappear,

brothers Franklin and Everon

help people recover from the bomb’s effects and the bomber’s sights are set on them.

COMING SOON

On the East Florida Coast

a famous author and his wife

are found dead. Something outrageous

has been done to the bodies.

On the West Florida Coast,

a second best-selling author

is found dead. The MOs are completely different. Are the cases related?

More authors are murdered.

FBI Agent Naomi Soul and her Co-Agent Xue Sang are the pop literary world’s best hope for survival.

LIKE CURLING UP IN BED WITH PAPER?

MMMM....GOOD!

GET THE STATE OF REASON IN PAPERBACK!

A Note From Miles

I could really use your help with something, a small thing that'll take you maybe 60 seconds or so. Tell me, how much did you enjoy my book? I really want to know. But don't just tell me, tell everybody! The more good reviews posted, the more books I sell, and the more time I can afford to spend writing the thrillers you like best. Here's how:

After reading what's below, go to Amazon or Goodreads.

1. Sign into your account.

2. Scroll down to the button that says LEAVE A CUSTOMER REVIEW and Click or tap it.

3. Click or tap the number of stars you feel the enjoyment of my novel was worth to you (5 stars, I hope).

4. Type in your comments, your thoughts, your feelings, and especially your suggestions. Trust me, I'll read them and so will everyone else. Don't be bashful. Don't be shy. Say what you really think, what you really felt while you were reading. Dig deep. That's what all good writers do.

5. Type in your Headline.

6. Click or tap the SUBMIT button.

Now that you know how, if you go do your part, I'll get busy doing mine . . . writing the very best thrillers I possibly can for your enjoyment. It may seem like a small thing, a few seconds of your time, but it'll make a big, big difference to me.

Thank You,
Miles A. Maxwell

About Miles

Long before 9/11, Miles used to lie in bed at night in his apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side — just across the park from where Cynthia, Steve and Melissa would be living — and listen to the sirens. Wondering when someone would drop "The Big One" on The City