The Judas Gate
The Washington day in August had been almost subtropical,
but by late evening an unexpected shower had cooled
things.
The Hay-Adams Hotel was only a short walk from the White
House, and outside the bar two men sat at a small table on the terrace, a canopy protecting them against the rain. The elder had an authoritative mustache and thick hair touched with silver, and wore a dark blue suit and Guards tie. He was General Charles Ferguson, Commander of the British Prime Minister’s private hit squad, which was an unfortunate necessity in the era of international terrorism.
His companion, Major Harry Miller, was forty-seven, just under six feet, with gray eyes, a shrapnel scar on one cheek, and a calm and confident manner. A Member of Parliament, he served the Prime Minister as a general troubleshooter and bore the rank of Under Secretary of State. He had proven he could handle anything from the politicians at the United Nations to the hell of Afghanistan.
Just now, he was saying to Ferguson, “Are you sure the President will be seeing us?”
Ferguson nodded. “Blake was quite certain. The President said
he’d make sure to clear time for us.”
Sean Dillon stepped out onto the terrace, glass in hand, and
joined them, his fair hair tousled and his shirt and velvet cord suit black as usual.
“So there you are.”
Before Ferguson could reply, Blake Johnson appeared from the
bar and found them.
He wore a light trench coat draped over his shoulders to protect a tweed country suit. He was fifty-nine, his black hair flecked with gray. As a boy, he’d lied about his age and when he’d stepped out of the plane to start his first tour of Vietnam, he’d been only eighteen. A longtime veteran of the Secret Service, he was now Personal Security Adviser to the new President, as he had been for several Presidents before him.
“We thought we’d been stood up,” Dillon told him and shook
hands.
“Nonsense,” Ferguson said. “It’s good of him to make time
for us.”
“Your report on Afghanistan certainly interested him. Besides, he’s wanted to meet you for some time now.”
“With all the new blood running around, I think that’s very
decent of the man,” Dillon said. “I thought we’d have been kicked out of the door along with the special relationship.”
Ferguson said to Blake, “Take no notice of him. Let’s get going.”
For those who didn’t want to make a fuss, the best way into
the White House was through the east entrance, which was where Clancy Smith, a large, fit black Secret Service man assigned to the President, waited patiently.
Copyright © 2010 by Harry Patterson
The Judas Gate
When it comes to suspense, Jack Higgins is in a class by himself. The author of The Eagle Has Landed, one of the most celebrated thrillers of all time, he is a master at taking an intriguing premise and transforming it into a story that won’t let you stop turning the pages.
In The Judas Gate, his mesmerizing new Sean Dillon thriller, this talent is on full display. A disturbing tape has made its way to British intelligence—and from them to the new President of the United States—and its contents send a chill through the spines of all those who hear it. It’s a recording of the Taliban’s battlefield chatter during a deadly attack on U.S. and British troops, but it isn’t only what’s recorded that shocks the listeners. It’s who is on the tape. The voice of the commander is clearly not Afghan; it’s British. And the tactics he used in the ambush are eerily familiar….
The idea that one of their own could be responsible for such a massacre is appalling, so Sean Dillon is quickly put in charge of hunting down the traitor. But even as Dillon has his own, unconventional way of doing things, so does his quarry. And before the day is done, Dillon will not only be going to war, the war will be coming to him.
Hardcover Book : 336 pages
Publisher: Putnam Pub Group ( January 04, 2011 )
Item #: 13-124459
ISBN: 9780399156847
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 x 0.76inches
Product Weight: 13.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
March 13, 2013
Reviewer: Shirley W
Love this series
January 28, 2011
I've read almost all of Jack Higgins' books. This series is just greatest. He makes the charactors come alive. You cannot put the book down until you finish. I look forward to each new book.
Reviewer: Lynn
Another Hit!
January 10, 2011
Book came in Friday..finished it Saturday. Another interesting plote with Sean Dillion and co-horts. If you are a fan you will enjoy.
Reviewer: Karenb
Copyright © Bookspan. Military Book Club® is a registered trademark used under license. Unauthorized use prohibited. All rights reserved.
54707201305ADFL
