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

unable to breathe with the darkness in his lungs. She pulled away his bathrobe and placed her other hand on his back. More shadows attacked his skin hungrily. He bucked so hard Norbert had to break the Plumber's other arm to keep him under control.
    Tawni withdrew all her shadows and moved back. He inhaled deeply with a ragged gasp. There was a handprint on his back where the skin had become gray and withered.
    "Enjoy that?" she said.
    The Plumber groaned.
    "Who is your target?" Norbert said.
    The Plumber shook his head.
    Tawni silenced him by sending the shadows down his throat again. With her other hand, she reached between his legs. His entire body contorted in agony. It took all of Norbert's strength to keep him on the floor.
    The torture continued for thirty seconds until Tawni finally allowed her victim to breathe. The Plumber mewled like a wounded animal.
    "I hope you weren't planning to have children," she said, "because it won't happen now. You should have your junk cut off before it starts to rot."
    She grinned in a way that made Norbert shiver. He had seen the same chilling expression on the legate's face. The two women were very much alike.
    "Doug Irvine," the Plumber gasped.
    "Who?" Norbert said.
    "The President's campaign manager. Without Irvine, Haley will lose the election. Coulter didn't want me to attack the President directly. That was too difficult a target."
    "How do I know you're not lying?"
    "I have a briefcase," the Plumber said. "There is a hidden compartment."
    Tawni went to a table and grabbed a black, leather briefcase. She didn't bother trying to find the compartment with a careful search. Instead, she violently attacked the briefcase with a knife.
    She eventually discovered a manila packet concealed in the back. She examined the photographs and papers inside.
    "He could be telling the truth," she said.
    "Call it in," Norbert said.
    "Are you going to let me go?" the Plumber said.
    "Not yet. My superiors will decide your fate."
    The Plumber moaned.
    * * *
    President Haley was sitting at the head of a long dining room table. A feast had been laid out for him and twenty invited guests. Favored staffers, high ranking members of the Democratic Party, and prominent donors were in attendance. Everybody was in a great mood in anticipation of a great convention. A feeling of impending victory was in the air.
    The food was excellent, of course. Roasted pheasant was the centerpiece, but there were also baked salmon and filet mignon. Asparagus in spiced wine sauce was an interesting change from the usual sides. Baked potatoes were available for less adventuresome eaters.
    The sound of a phone ringing shocked Haley. Bringing a noisy phone to a formal meal was the height of poor etiquette. He looked for the source of the sound. Secret Service agents were standing with their backs to the wall all around the room. One of them was having a conversation on a phone.
    It was Ethel.
    She nodded to him in a way that said "follow me." She left the room.
    Haley couldn't contain his curiosity. He muttered apologies to the other diners and followed her out. George Seferis was a few steps behind him. The Director of the Secret Service had shadowed his boss like an eager puppy all day. It was becoming embarrassing.
    Haley caught up to Ethel in a hallway. They were still in the American State Hotel. Secret Service agents quickly formed a protective perimeter.
    "What?" Haley said.
    "We captured an assassin," Ethel stated in a bland tone, as if this kind of thing happened all the time.
    His eyes widened.
    "Who?" Seferis said. "Where?"
    "He's known as the Plumber," she said. "A very expensive, very talented hit man. He was sent to kill Doug Irvine."
    Haley was stunned. Doug was a critical component of the reelection campaign. The man was a genius at managing public opinion. He was also a close friend of Haley and one of the few people he trusted without reservation.
    "Do you know who paid for the hit?" Seferis said.
    "Sean