Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society Book 8) by Alex Siegel Page A

a business card and handed it to the first spy. "If that threat level ticks up, call this number. We'll do what it takes to stop these terrorists. Of course, we'd feel more comfortable if you just arrested them now."
    "We'll get to it." The spy stuffed the card in his pocket.
    "Thank you for your cooperation."
    Smythe and Sheryl left the apartment.
    As soon as they were back on the street, he pulled out his phone and called Aaron.
    "Report," the commander said gruffly.
    "The CIA seems to have the situation under control, sir," Smythe said. "I gave them my card. I think we can move on."
    "Good. The next one on the list is a group of radical black activists who thinks Haley has sold out to 'the Man.' I'll text the details to you."
    "Yes, sir."

Chapter Five
    Norbert and Tawni stood on either side of a hotel room door. Their backs were to the wall.
    "Don't forget this guy is a pro," he whispered, "a legend in the assassination business. He'll take you out if you give him half a chance."
    She looked at her hands. Wisps of inky darkness were rising from her fingers like smoke.
    She balled her fists and smiled. "Let's do this."
    Norbert knocked on the door. "Room service!" he called out.
    A moment later, a man responded from the other side of the door. "I didn't order room service."
    "Oh, sorry, sir. We had the wrong room."
    Norbert stomped on the floor to simulate the sounds of walking away. He and Tawni waited patiently. It was just a matter of time before curiosity got the better of the "Plumber."
    After half a minute, the door cracked open. A man with blond hair peered out.
    Norbert kicked him in the gut with enough force to send him staggering backwards.
    Norbert followed the Plumber into the hotel room. The assassin was wearing a bathrobe, but apparently, that didn't mean he was unarmed. He was reaching into his robe when Norbert punched him in the jaw. The hard blow sent broken teeth and blood flying.
    The Plumber went down. Norbert dropped a knee onto his kidney for good measure. The Plumber tried to squirm away. Norbert grabbed both his arms and twisted until they dislocated.
    Norbert held the Plumber down while Tawni searched him for weapons. She found a gun and a knife under his bathrobe.
    "Who are you?" the Plumber grunted.
    He was a powerfully built man. Odd scars crisscrossed his cheeks.
    "That's not important," Norbert said. "We just have one question. Who is your target?"
    "What are you talking about?"
    "You're Harry Walker, a.k.a. the Plumber. International assassin. Three days ago, you received money from Sean Coulter. He's a wealthy businessman who leans so far to the right it's a miracle he doesn't fall over. Coulter has loudly and repeatedly denounced the President. Coincidently, you arrived in Chicago last night, and the President is here today."
    After a long silence, the Plumber said, "You know a lot about me."
    "We know everything about you. Who did you come to kill?"
    "You don't really expect me to tell you, do you?"
    Norbert gave the man's arms another hard twist. "Honestly, we don't care what you do for a living. We're not the police. We won't arrest you. We just need some information, and then we'll be on our way."
    The Plumber tried to kick his way out of the hold. It was an expert move, but Norbert had been trained by Aaron. When the brief scrum ended, the Plumber had a broken right arm and a torn knee ligament.
    "Are you ready to talk now?" Norbert said.
    The Plumber shook his head. "Never."
    "An assassin with a sense of honor? How ironic. This is your last chance before my lady friend has a go at you. She's not kind and gentle like me."
    Norbert looked at Tawni. Her eyes gleamed with eagerness, and the smile on her face was savage. This was going to get ugly.
    "I won't talk," the Plumber said.
    Norbert nodded to Tawni.
    She knelt down and whispered in the Plumber's ear, "This is going to hurt."
    She covered his mouth with her hand. Shadows slipped down his throat like snakes. He thrashed silently,