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Showing posts with label TERROR BLOODLINE Series Book 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TERROR BLOODLINE Series Book 1. Show all posts

PREVIEW of Chapter 3 (Continued)


TERROR BLOODLINE Series Book 1


CROSSFIRE   Book #1


Only $0.99 

Limited Time Offer until 

31st OCTOBER, 2015


CROSSFIRE  Book #1 



Terror Bloodline Series

Featuring Ex-CIA Agent, Jon Bradley



By Paul Rodricks


International fast-paced Action #Thriller 

# Suspense #Adventure 

#Crime  #Mystery


Reviews: 


"The fact that it is the first of three books makes Crossfire all that more compelling plus it's a fun to read. Paul POV shifts from telling a story to the illusion of real time which creates a healthy tension throughout. One of the finer elements in the book that helps make it authentic is the authors knowledge of the geo areas where the story takes place."


"The novel is multidimensional. There are several plot elements working simultaneously that the author handles with skill. The murder of his friend and the personal relationship between Jon and his lady friend, a rape victim, add depth to the novel. The story shifts between the current investigation and his previous, very dangerous, actions in Lebanon as a CIA operative."


Read here the Preview of the CHAPTER THREE (Continued) from this Thriller,                                                          
                                               CROSSFIRE


CHAPTER THREE (Continued)

New Jersey 1962 – New York 2002 
Jonathan Bradley


     
     “Sir, I will take care of it.”  The security-guard slowed the Embassy vehicle to a stop by the side of the road behind three other cars – one of them, an old beaten-up Mercedes taxi. Meantime, the line of cars behind them was growing, some impatient drivers honking almost non-stop.

     Suddenly, the scene was disturbed by the sound of squealing tires, some distance behind them.  People were getting out of their cars to see what was going on.

    Their driver was already out of the car before Robert joined him.  Bradley,however, preferred to remain seated inside the car.  
    
    Armstrong noticed a black Toyota Land Cruiser disappearing round the bend in the road.  A few moments later he heard the sound of the police-car siren.   

Then, he turned towards the checkpoint to see that one of stationary vehicles was approaching, and then going past them as the car sped up in the direction of the Land Cruiser.

Robert returned to his seat in the Embassy’s unmarked car and said to Bradley, “I will have to report this to Richard,” as he brought out his cellphone from his coat-pocket, and punched in the direct number of his superior.  Richard Darwin was the Beirut Station Chief, who would be Bradley’s present boss.

“Mr. Darwin, we are in a situation here. Nothing adverse so far. We are held up at a temporary checkpoint along the Hafez al Assad road, a few meters before the Abbas el Moussawi roundabout.  Jonathan Bradley’s beside me.  All his documents are in order.  Georges has gone ahead with our papers to speak to the Lebanese Officer at the checkpoint. Alright…,” he paused to listen, “Alright, I will call you back as soon as we are on our way again.” 

    Robert put off the phone, and turned to Jon. “He was anxious to know if they are militants. “

    Bradley, who was looking through the windshield, said to Robert, “The driver is returning.” 

    They saw the first car ahead of them, moving past the barricade, as Georges got in, “They will let us pass ahead of the other cars after checking you two for identification.”

    “What is the fuss about, Georges?”

    “There were armed clashes last night in Tripoli between two neighborhood enemy factions, resulting in some death and injuries.  Their leaders are on the run; one of them is a suspected terrorist.”

Robert raised his eyebrow at the security-guard, “They told you all this, Georges?”

Georges gave him a sheepish smile, “No… I learned the gist of it from my friends, who I talked with during the night, after finishing work.”
 
The out-going Case Officer knew about the Lebanese men’s passion for rallying around their kin and friends when a lot of assorted information and gossip is passed along.

Driving past the two cars lined up in front of them, Georges stopped short of the barricade.
 
Two officers came and stood on each side of the car while one of them briefly glanced at the faces of the Americans sitting inside the car, comparing his observations versus their passport details and photos, and then handed back the documents to Georges, saying with a vestige of a smile, “OK.  You can go,” as he waved at one of the guards to open the barricade and let them pass.

                               ***

     Next:  CHAPTER FOUR - The LAST PART OF THE BOOK  
                                                                      SAMPLE








REVIEWERS can avail a FREE Digital copy



Paul Rodricks,  Author









PREVIEW of Chapter 3 (Continued)

TERROR BLOODLINE Series Book 1


CROSSFIRE   Book #1

CROSSFIRE  Book #1 


Terror Bloodline Series

Featuring Ex-CIA Agent, Jon Bradley



By Paul Rodricks


International fast-paced Action #Thriller 

# Suspense #Adventure 

#Crime  #Mystery


Reviews: 


"The fact that it is the first of three books makes Crossfire all that more compelling plus it's a fun to read. Paul POV shifts from telling a story to the illusion of real time which creates a healthy tension throughout. One of the finer elements in the book that helps make it authentic is the authors knowledge of the geo areas where the story takes place."


"The novel is multidimensional. There are several plot elements working simultaneously that the author handles with skill. The murder of his friend and the personal relationship between Jon and his lady friend, a rape victim, add depth to the novel. The story shifts between the current investigation and his previous, very dangerous, actions in Lebanon as a CIA operative."


Read here the Preview of the CHAPTER THREE (Continued) from this Thriller,                                                          
                                               CROSSFIRE


CHAPTER THREE (Continued)

New Jersey 1962 – New York 2002 
Jonathan Bradley

On completion of his training period, he received his posting letter. He was one of the six Reserve Foreign Service Officers, appointed at the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1993.

This happened a month before Sept. 13, 1993, when the Peace Accord was signed between the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat, in Washington before Bill Clinton, the USA President.

The peace negotiations, however, failed to achieve the objective since the rival groups, namely the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine refused to recognize Israel. Once again, the region returned to violent infighting, assassinations, car bombings, suicide-bombers blowing up themselves in public places and attacking the State of Israel, which retaliated by air- bombardment and its military occupying parts of Lebanon.

Bradley arrived at the Beirut International Airport and moved out quickly using the Diplomatic channel where he was received by the American Embassy’s Public Relations Officer, Robert Armstrong, himself a CIA operative. 

Driving them to the Embassy was the Lebanese driver, actually a security-guard. He headed towards the village Aukar, in the predominant Christian East Beirut, the new, safer location of the Embassy building.   

In the April 18, 1983 suicide-bombing of the previous Embassy located at Ain el-Mreisseh Corniche, Beirut, a total of 63 people lost their lives. 

It was an unthinkable disaster for the CIA alone.  On the death list were the names of no less than eight CIA operatives, including  the  Station Chief Kenneth Haas, the Near East director, Robert C. Ames, the CIA’s top Middle East analyst, and William R. McIntyre, deputy director of the USAID.

As Bradley was driven along the potholes scared highway, everywhere stood out the ruins – the charred and hollow structures, bullets and shells ridden,  windows blown-out,  burnt out  frames and twisted chassis of cars, trucks and other vehicles.

He would soon learn that such wreckage strewn along roadsides was a familiar sight in many parts of Lebanon. There was never a smooth car ride due to the pitiable condition of the roads.

Lebanon was a prosperous and peaceful nation until the early 70s.  All that drastically changed following the Civil War era of 1975-1991.

During 1993, the year of his arrival in Beirut for the first time, nothing had changed for better. 

The car-bombings, the political and personal vendettas, the wanton shootings, assassinations, bombing public places, kidnappings and the appearance of roadblocks without warning became a part of life for the Lebanese people and outsiders especially the Americans and Europeans living there or visiting Lebanon.

Robert Armstrong noticed that his new counterpart was keenly observing the passing scene as they drove past the surroundings.

They had not spoken much, except for exchanging pleasantries due to the presence of the Lebanese driver.  Safety protocol demanded discretion when speaking about official matters. No one outside their American staff could be trusted.

However, every Case Officer was thoroughly tutored until the agent was familiar with mapping out the places and locations, also staying cognizant of the region’s economy, the social life and the changing political situation, including the portrayal of the important, influential leaders and players in the country of his posting.

“Nothing ever improves here.  It had been the same when I was posted here three years ago, and the same during the time of my predecessors.  Phew… it sure is a good feeling to be returning home soon. Beirut is becoming a veritable hell hole and that’s not just for us, but for common Lebanese people too.”

“I can already sense that,” Jon said, “You live in Washington D.C.?” 

“Yeah, have a wife and two kids – the girl’s ten years old and the boy’s eight.  What about you? Still single?”

“Mr. Armstrong, Sir… I will have to slow down.  There’s a checkpoint ahead,” the driver interrupted their conversation. 

They could see the brisk activity some distance ahead of them; two stationery military vehicles on either side of the highway, besides the two armed guards and four officers, dressed in olive green fatigues, checking out the car passengers and their documents.

From the black and red color berets they wore, Bradley guessed they were from the 'MOKAFAHA' – the Lebanese anti-terrorism unit and the Military Police.  

A little behind them was parked the radio jeep, the police officer seated inside listening to the dispatcher’s alerts. 

“The checkpoint wasn’t set up when we came through here earlier. But then, one never knows in this city,” observed Robert.

                                                  
To be continued...







PREVIEW of Chapter Three


TERROR BLOODLINE Series Book 1


CROSSFIRE   Book #1

Only $0.99 

Limited Time Offer

CROSSFIRE  Book #1 


Terror Bloodline Series

Featuring Ex-CIA Agent, Jon Bradley



By Paul Rodricks


International fast-paced Action #Thriller 

# Suspense #Adventure 

#Crime  #Mystery


Reviews: 


"The fact that it is the first of three books makes Crossfire all that more compelling plus it's a fun to read. Paul POV shifts from telling a story to the illusion of real time which creates a healthy tension throughout. One of the finer elements in the book that helps make it authentic is the authors knowledge of the geo areas where the story takes place."


"The novel is multidimensional. There are several plot elements working simultaneously that the author handles with skill. The murder of his friend and the personal relationship between Jon and his lady friend, a rape victim, add depth to the novel. The story shifts between the current investigation and his previous, very dangerous, actions in Lebanon as a CIA operative."


Read here the Preview of the CHAPTER THREE from this book, CROSSFIRE:


CHAPTER THREE   

New Jersey 1962 – New York 2002 
Jonathan Bradley


     Born in the summer of the year 1962 of Portuguese-American ancestry in the State of New Jersey, Jonathan Bradley now 44-years old, stood at 6.1”  with broad shoulders, good looking in a rugged manner, possessing a lean, strong face with a firm jaw-line,  alert hazel eyes between an aquiline nose, and wearing  light brown wavy hair combed backwards. Although fair skinned, his complexion showed a trace of medium skin-tone, part of his Iberian heritage.

     The only marring feature in his otherwise modest presentation was the slight three inch scar running down the left ear on the side of his neck.  This was a vivid reminder from a firefight ambush in the faraway Beqa’a Valley of the beleaguered southern Lebanon, during his tenure as the CIA’s covert operative stationed at the Beirut American Embassy.

     Bradley finished High School at 21 years of age.  Played basketball for his school, was a team-worker, and seen as fast-footed, making quick-thinking moves. He was an average student, but displayed a flair for foreign languages such as French, German and Arabic, the latter mostly self-taught.

     Jon appeared to have already made up his mind during his high school years stint itself about his future career in the espionage world. 

     At the age of twenty-five he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Did a one-year internship in the New York City Justice Dept., then joined the Counter-terrorism unit of the FBI, before being recruited by the CIA,  under its Directorate of Operations program following the required CIA security clearances and passing  very thorough background checks. 

     At the CIA’s Farm in Virginia, Jonathan trained for two years at the Camp Peary army base, drafted in the program to become a Case Officer assigned to work abroad in the US embassies or consulates under the cover of Reserve Foreign Service Officer.

     Thereafter, he opted for almost another two years of paramilitary training at the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Fort Sherman, Panama, which included handling firearms and explosives, hand-to-hand combat and active surveillance by electronics, cars and power boats, making parachute jumps, besides running the obstacle course.

     The final notations made by his trainers in his dossier included acknowledgment of Bradley’s aptitude for foreign languages, particularly Arabic, while underscoring his natural tendency towards team-spirit, risk-taking, and as a quick-learner possessing analytical skills, and not the least a healthy, strong physique.

     Jonathan Bradley’s ability to converse in Arabic and his near mid-eastern complexion, earned him his posting to the CIA’s Near East Division.

     His principal job would be to recruit and control foreign agents and underground informants to penetrate the extremists and Islamic–Jihadist militant groups or cells training to undertake terror attacks on foreign assets especially inside the U.S.A. Moreover, once stationed in a foreign country and holding a consular position, Jon would personally attempt to establish contacts with the local government leaders, including from the opposition, and the military and intelligence officials, in his task of gathering covert intelligence on foreign soil.

                                     ***   


                             To be continued...







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