Red Angel: Coup d'etat (Red Angel Series Book 5) Read online

  “Why did you need personal security?” the oldest man asked.

  “I was involved in closing down the UAS smuggler case, the foreign raiders case, the merchant hijacking and marines for hire cases a few years ago, and the kidnapping ring last year. Several of those groups thought me a pain in the ass and had Wanted Dead rewards on my head. The last one was for five million credits. In addition, Red”—I reached into my shirt and pulled him out and let him wrap around my arm like the Rod of Asclepius—“is worth over two hundred and fifty thousand credits on the black market and at least once a year or so someone thinks they should have him.”

  Now everyone’s mouth hung open and the smirks had disappeared.

  “What did you mean by indirect?”

  “If someone jumps out at you and you shoot him, that’s direct. If, on the other hand, someone jumps out at you and you miss, but the bullet hits a gas container which explodes and kills him and his buddies, that’s indirect.”

  “And that number?” the same man asked.

  “I don’t know and don’t want to know, but in the hundreds. And no. That is not one of the stories I’m going to share with you today, maybe never.”

  “Is that snake venomous?” one man asked while staring at Red.

  “Very. It’s a red-headed krait which has a symbiotic relationship with me. He feeds off my blood and in turn injects me with a poison that keeps my Coaca Virus in check. He never leaves my person, and therefore you will always know where he is. He is not aggressive but he will strike if he thinks I’m being attacked. I have the antivenom, but I’m told it’s a painful two- to three-day experience.”

  “So, you’re not here just to run the organization,” the oldest man said.

  “No, part of my responsibility is to stop the killing of delegates.” When there were no more questions, I continued. “Why don’t we take a fifteen-minute break.”

  * * *

  When everyone returned the mood had changed. The previous resentment and hostility were all but gone. I wasn’t a political appointee who had never fired a weapon in anger or who didn’t understand the potential hazards they faced each day. Their new boss may have had more experience than anyone there.

  “Now it’s my turn,” I said and smiled, receiving snorts and guarded laughs in return. “I’d like your name and current responsibilities. No fluff, please. Who’d like to start?” I noticed all eyes turn toward the oldest-looking man in the room.

  “I’m Seth McKenzie, your second in command. You’re right, the Director has been a prestigious political position. Most do not have military or combat experience, consequently my responsibilities have varied with the specific appointee. Mostly they used me to run the daily operations,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. He looked around fifty, with a round, rough, outdoors-looking face with a prominent nose and full lips. He had a muscular build and looked fit. His brown hair was long but cut above his ears, and his hazel eyes were bright with intelligence. “I served in the marines, then joined Committee Security as a building guard, then Committee member guard, then Core group security, and finally second in command.”

  “Thank you, that was perfect for now. Do you have rank or titles?” I asked, not sure how to address them.

  He smiled. “Although we aren’t in the UAS military, we use normal army rank. I’m a colonel. Normally, we are addressed as c-agent or senior c-agent if we are in charge of a detail. We generally use last names for the men, first names among ourselves…but you’re the boss so you can call us anything you want.” He grinned.

  “How about first names in private—I’m Anna—last names among the men, and rank or c-agent in public as appropriate?” I suggested and received nods from everyone. “Good, who’s next?”

  “I’m Doctor Austin Pierce, in charge of the medical department. I take care of most medical problems unless it requires special equipment or a specialty I don’t have. In addition, I conduct the annual physicals, new-hire physicals, and occasionally treat a delegate or their staff. I’ve been a doctor and general surgeon for twenty-four years and have worked for the Committee for the last eight.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Pierce. In an emergency you will need to call Doctor Renata at Mercy Hospital. She knows Red and me and is an expert on the Coaca Virus,” I said. Pierce nodded as he added a note on his tablet. The doctor was several kilo overweight but looked fit. His graying hair hung just over his ears, and his angular face had the intensity of a battlefield surgeon.

  “I’m Glen Schwartz, major rank, and in charge of the personnel department. I screen prospective new-hires, handle payrolls, travel, and other expenses, maintain everyone’s personnel file, and investigate complaints. I served in navy personnel for fifteen years and joined Committee personnel ten years ago,” he said, and shrugged as if wondering if I wanted more. He had a round, plump face, short nose, a beard and mustache, brown wavy hair that covered his ears, and an easy smile.

  “Thank you, Glen. Just right, no fluff. I’ll want to get to know each of you much better, but for now a brief synopsis will do.”

  “I’m Craig Olson, major rank, and in charge of training,” the next man said. Craig had been the one quizzing me on shooting and killing. He looked to be the youngest of the group and the leanest, with a wiry build. “I spent ten years in the army special forces, and I’ve been here eight years. I conduct self-defense and arms training. Every new-hire must take a four-week introductory course and each c-agent must qualify on the range once each year.” He gave me an appraising stare.

  “Thank you, Craig. Can I see your weapon, please?” I asked, interested in the type of weapons the c-agents carried since none of these men had one showing. He frowned for a second but then reached inside his jacket and pulled out what looked like an old Sig Sauer 9 mm from a holster under his left arm and a laser from under his right arm. I pulled back the slide on the Sig Sauer and found a bullet in the chamber and then examined the laser and found it set to tight beam and fully charged. The handles of both weapons were made from a beautiful black wood and had the Committee seals embedded. I also noticed a chip which meant only the owner could fire it. I handed it back to him. “Thank you. I would like to become competent with the Sig Sauer when you have time.” I looked back to the group. “Next?”

  “I’m Justin Harris, lieutenant colonel rank. I’m in charge of building security. We monitor the entrance into the building to ensure only authorized individuals are admitted and that they aren’t carrying anything prohibited, and monitor for suspicious activities in the hallways and public areas. I was in the marines for fifteen years and Committee Security for the past twelve.” He watched me critically. He was tall and muscular, and had a square, rugged-looking face like a drill sergeant.

  “Thank you, Justin. Next?”

  “I’m Ramon Ballard, lieutenant colonel rank, and in charge of personnel security. I assign security for individuals to include the Core Committee and their families as well as any delegates and their families while they are on Eastar. And I assume I’ll provide your security, Anna.” He smiled. While not short by average standards, he was the shortest of the group, with a lean and wiry build, hawk-like nose, and narrow face to match. “I spent twenty years in the commandos, and the last eight years in Committee Security.”

  “Yes, I need security, at least two guards twenty-four/seven and more if I’m required to travel. Please talk to Colonel Pannell. He can give you an idea of the problems you’re likely to face,” I said to his frowning stare. “And that should start immediately because I’ve dismissed my marine security. I thought you would rather handle that yourself.” I gave him a questioning look. I could see him considering the issues and the appearance if their director had to be guarded by marines.

  “Yes, ma’am.” He rose and left the room while reaching for his Comm device.

  “I’m Thomas Becker, major rank, ten years in the army supply and the last eleven here in Committee Security. I arrange transportation, supplies, rentals, and purchasing. Wi
ll you be needing a car and driver?” he asked. He looked to be the least fit, with ten kilo of excess weight and a bit of a stomach, and soft face and arms, but he had a friendly face complete with laugh lines.

  “No. I have a skimmer,” I said. He gave me a surprised look.

  “The last director had a car. We’ll keep it reserved for you in case you need to go someplace that can’t accommodate a skimmer.”

  I looked to McKenzie. “Seth, do I have a secretary?”

  He gave me an amused smile. “Yes, ma’am, Director. You have a secretary, office, and an aide-de-camp, in addition to over a thousand personnel. And as soon as this meeting is over I’ll introduce you.”

  My cheeks felt hot. “Sorry, Seth. I feel like a recruit on her first day at a new job.” I looked around and found mostly smiles and knowing nods. “Thank you, gentlemen. I look forward to learning the ropes and will only be angry if you tell me you agree with me when you don’t. I want your advice, although I may not always follow it. You’ve been doing the job and know the potential problems so your opinions are important.”

  I found myself wondering if I had been right to jump right in feet first not knowing the temperature. I shrugged as I touched Red to my lips, forgetting Seth was still in the room.

  “After thirty years, I would imagine he’s a close friend,” he said quietly. A very perceptive man, I mused.

  “Yes, my early years were tough, and he was my only friend. I’d keep him with me even if I didn’t need him to keep the virus in check,” I said.

  “I liked your approach, Anna. Honest and straightforward. And I think it’s time the organization had a real director who took an interest in the organization and its people.” He pointed toward the door. “Let’s get you settled.”

  * * *

  “Mrs. Goodwin, this is Miss Anna Paulus, the new Director of Committee Security. Miss Paulus, this is Martha Goodwin, the very efficient gatekeeper to your office.”

  “Nice to meet you, Director Paulus,” Martha said while appraising her new boss.

  “Anna, please. Let’s see my office and we can talk,” I said.

  Martha was quick to walk to the door and open it. It was a large room with a monstrous desk made of a black wood that seemed to soak up the sunlight shining through the three narrow windows which were spaced about a meter apart. Through them, I could see a manicured lawn and a dozen or more mature shade trees. I would miss the view from my old office. There were several beige-cushioned chairs and a round table against one wall. A large carpet with the UAS Committee Security seal, a circle with three snarling dogs’ heads with teeth showing, covered the floor in front of the desk. One dog faced right, one left, and one forward—a Cerberus, I suddenly realized. The c-agent stood for Cerberus-agent. And when I looked back at the seal the writing circling the Cerberus read: United Alliance of Stars Cerberus Security. Along one office wall were two built-in cabinets. One looked built to hold a hundred books but was almost empty. The other had a small refrigerator and wine cooler, crystal glasses, and an assortment of liquors.

  “Where do the two doors lead to?” I asked.

  “One is to your conference room and the other is a private bathroom,” Martha said, smiling. I walked over to the chairs, each of which had a Cerberus embroidered in its back cushion, pulled one out, and waved for the others to join me.

  “I’d like you two to be my mentors,” I said and looked at Seth and Martha, who looked…surprised, then thoughtful, then pleased. They nodded. “I hate change, so I plan to be here until I retire or they fire me.” I smiled at their puzzled looks. “I want to learn the details of the business, not to micromanage the organization but to understand the problems we encounter, and to contribute to the solutions.”

  “You aren’t what we were expecting.” Seth laughed. “And I don’t think the core group understand who they just hired. All right, what are your priorities?”

  “Getting to know my staff and their responsibilities, the current investigation into the delegates’ assassinations, and learning to use the Sig Sauer. If you use it, then I should. Oh, and coffee and milk. Red and I don’t drink liquor.” I waved at the minibar and wine cooler. Seth laughed but Martha’s eyes were fixed on Red, who had made a grand entrance and wrapped around my neck. “Martha, meet Red. He’s a venomous krait who keeps my Coaca Virus dormant. He never leaves my person so he’s not dangerous and is never loose. He’s not a pet, more like a medical dispenser.”

  Martha gave a weak smile. “He’s very pretty.”

  Just then there was a knock at the door and a minute later Ramon entered. He looked worried.

  “I’ve had a quick talk with Colonel Paul Pannell. I’m afraid that although I believed what you said—no, I thought you were overstating the problem—Paul has convinced me you were understating the problem. I’m going to meet with him so I can get a better picture of our new director and her security needs.”

  “Thank you, Ramon. Red is the immediate problem, but the terrorists may become a problem. I seem to have a bad reputation among our enterprising bad guys.” I felt a pang of regret for Alexa and all the anxiety I had and continued to cause her. She didn’t deserve it. For her sake I should have stayed at the NIA. I sighed. “Sorry,” I said, feeling sorry for Alexa and the men and women who would suffer and die to protect me.

  “Go with Ramon and get your security arrangements settled,” Seth said. “I suspect that is the highest priority. I’ll get the files together for the three murdered delegates, and we can talk later.”

  I nodded and followed Ramon out the door and down the hall to the main conference room. When we entered eight men stood.

  “Men, this is Director Paulus, our new boss.” He smiled, probably at the look on most of their faces. Whatever they were expecting, it wasn’t me. “I’ve had a short talk with Colonel Pannell, who was in charge of her security at NIA. He convinced me that her potential threat level is high twenty-four/seven in and out of secure buildings. I’ll have specific information to share with you after I meet with Pannell tomorrow.” He turned to look at me.

  “Good morning, men,” I said. “Let’s dispense with introductions for now. When you come on duty, I’d like each of you to spend a few minutes with me so I can get to know you and you me. You will be risking your lives for me and you should feel comfortable enough to tell me when I’m endangering you or me. I may not listen, but I want to be told so I can weigh the risk against the need at the time. For now, let me tell you a little about me. I live alone with my mother. Our property has police sound and video surveillance, and the house has a safe room, so all we need is a bit of a warning in the event of danger. I have a skimmer that I use to go to and from work. I normally carry an Mfw but I intend to switch to your standard weapons. You don’t have to worry about me shooting you. I’m experienced with firefights and can consistently hit the target in the kill zone. And lastly, don’t forget to protect yourself while you’re protecting me.” I looked at Ramon.

  “Until I talk to Colonel Pannell, we will have two guards with the Director at all times…” He looked at me. I nodded. “Henry, Jerry,” he said. Everyone rose, and six left the room.

  “Colonel Ballard, as I understand it, you are responsible for personal security. I’d like to understand what that entails and see it in action,” I said, deciding to start with his group.

  He showed me to his office, where he explained that each year approximately fifty percent of the people assigned to personal security rotated with the people assigned building security. New-hires generally began in building security and weren’t used for personal security until they had completed their probationary period and passed the required training. About twenty-five percent of the c-agents preferred to stay in either building or personal security.

  When he finished, I asked to see the people on personal security for the Core group. With Ramon present, I talked to the six c-agents currently on duty and found their duty was mostly guarding the entrance to an individual’s office. On
e of the two guards would follow the person if they left the office so long as they stayed in the building. Two c-agents rode in the limo when they went someplace. Four c-agents and a three-car escort were used to see them to and from work.

  When we returned to my office, Seth was waiting. I invited him and Martha to join us.

  “Thank you, Ramon. That was very interesting. How many life-threatening attempts have you had on the Core personnel over the past three years?”

  Ballard gazed off for a minute or two before speaking. “Two. They both occurred about two years ago.”

  “I’d like your assessment after you talk to Paul—Colonel Pannell. Until then I want two c-agents following me at all times. They are to be in any room I’m in unless I state otherwise. Four c-agents when I leave the building, and an armed shuttle to see me to and from work,” I said. Ramon’s eyes went from me to Seth and back. “I’ll be open to your advice but only after your talk with Paul.”

  “Yes, ma’am. If that is all, I’ll be off to make the arrangements,” he said, and left after I nodded.

  “Seth, I’d like to sit in on Major Olson’s training sessions and in between get briefed on building security by Colonel Harris. Oh, and would you schedule an hour for Sig Sauer training, preferably today if it’s not too inconvenient,” Red weaved into my hair as I spoke and laid his small red head on my forehead. “Oh, I’d like to take the murder investigation files home with me tonight if I can.”

  Seth laughed. “I think this puts new meaning on the expression, hit the ground running.”

  “Oh…” I gave a lopsided grimace. “Tell everyone I’m sorry for the panic, but I have a lot to learn about my responsibilities and how the organization functions before I can focus on the terrorists.” I felt an urgent need to rush since the terrorists weren’t going to wait for me to get comfortable before they struck again. “Martha, please coordinate my schedule with Colonel McKenzie,” I said and sat back in my executive chair. It was very comfortable and seemed to wrap me into the soft black leather.