Split Second
Baldacci, David
Sold by The Yard Sale Store, Narrowsburg, NY, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 11 July 2005
Used - Audio Book (Cassette)
Condition: Used - Good
Ships within U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Add to basketSold by The Yard Sale Store, Narrowsburg, NY, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since 11 July 2005
Condition: Used - Good
Quantity: 2 available
Add to basket2 AUDIO CASSETTES! AUDIO CASSETTE TAPE performance. Each cassette TESTED! prior to shipping for quality sound. You will receive a reliable set. Enjoy this CASSETTE TAPE edition for your home and library.
Seller Inventory # 492020422141061
The motorcade streamed into the tree-shaded parking lot, where itdisgorged numerous people who looked hot, tired and genuinelyunhappy. The miniature army marched toward the ugly white brickbuilding. The structure had been many things in its time andcurrently housed a decrepit funeral home that was thriving solelybecause there was no other such facility within thirty miles and thedead, of course, had to go somewhere. Appropriately somber gentlemenin black suits stood next to hearses of the same color. A fewbereaved trickled out the door, sobbing quietly into handkerchiefs.An old man in a tattered suit that was too large for him and wearinga battered, oily Stetson sat on a bench outside the front entrance,whittling. It was just that sort of a place, rural to the hilt,stock car racing and bluegrass ballads forever.
The old fellow looked up curiously as the procession passed by witha tall, distinguished-looking man ceremoniously in the middle. Theelderly gent just shook his head and grinned at this spectacle,showing the few tobacco-stained teeth he had left. Then he took anip of refreshment from a flask pulled from his pocket and returnedto his artful wood carving.
The woman, in her early thirties and dressed in a black pantsuit,was in step behind the tall man. In the past her heavy pistol in thebelt holster had scraped uncomfortably against her side, causing ascab. As a solution she'd sewn an extra layer of cloth into herblouses at that spot and learned to live with any lingeringirritation. She'd overheard some of her men joke that all femaleagents should wear double shoulder holsters because it gave them abuxom look without expensive breast enhancement. Yes, testosteronewas alive and well in her world.
Secret Service agent Michelle Maxwell was on the extreme fast track.She was not yet at the White House detail, guarding the president ofthe United States, but she was close. Barely nine years in theService, and she was already a protection detail leader. Most agentsspent a decade in the field doing investigative work before evengraduating to protection detail as shift agents, yet MichelleMaxwell was used to getting to places before other folks.
This was her big preview before almost certain reassignment to theWhite House, and she was worried. This was an unscheduled stop, andthat meant no advance team and limited backup. Yet because it was alast-minute change in plan, the plus side was no one could know theywere going to be there.
They reached the entrance, and Michelle put a firm hand on the tallman's arm and told him to wait while they scoped things out. Theplace was quiet, smelled of death and despair in quiet pockets ofmisery centered on coffins in each of the viewing rooms. She postedagents at various key points along the man's path: "giving feet" asit was called in Service parlance. Properly done, the simple act ofhaving a professional with a gun and communication capabilitystanding in a doorway could work wonders.
She spoke into her walkie-talkie, and the tall man, John Bruno, wasbrought in. She led him down the hallway as gazes from the viewingrooms wandered to them. A politician and his entourage on thecampaign trail were like a herd of elephants: they could travelnowhere lightly. They stomped the earth until it hurt with theweight of the guards, chiefs of staff, spokespersons, speechwriters,publicity folks, gofers and others. It was a spectacle that if itdidn't make you laugh would at least cause you considerable worryabout the future of the country.
John Bruno was running for the office of president of the UnitedStates, and he had absolutely no chance of winning. Looking faryounger than his fifty-six years, he was an independent candidatewho'd used the support of a small but strident percentage of theelectorate fed up with just about everything mainstream to qualifyfor each state's national ballot. Thus, he'd been given SecretService protection, though not at the staffing level of a bona fidecontender. It was Michelle Maxwell's job to keep him alive until theelection. She was counting the days.
Bruno was a former iron-balls prosecutor, and he'd made a greatnumber of enemies, only some of whom were currently behind bars. Hispolitical planks were fairly simple. He'd tell you he wantedgovernment off the backs of the people and free enterprise to rule.As for the poor and weak, those not up to the task of unfetteredcompetition, well, in all other species the weak died and the strongprevailed, and why should it be any different for us? Largelybecause of that position, the man had no chance of winning. AlthoughAmerica loved its tough guys, they weren't ready to vote for leaderswho exhibited no compassion for the downtrodden and miserable, foron any given day they might constitute a majority.
The trouble started when Bruno entered the room trailed by his chiefof staff, two aides, Michelle and three of her men. The widowsitting in front of her husband's coffin looked up sharply. Michellecouldn't see her expression through the veil the woman was wearingbut assumed her look was one of surprise at seeing this herd ofinterlopers invading hallowed ground. The old woman got up andretreated to a corner, visibly shaking.
The candidate whirled on Michelle. "He was a dear friend of mine,"Bruno snapped, "and I am not going to parade in with an army. Getout," he added tersely.
"I'll stay," she fired back. "Just me." He shook his head. They'dhad many such standoffs. He knew that his candidacy was a hopelesslong shot, and that just made him try even harder. The pace had beenbrutal, the protection logistics a nightmare.
"No, this is private!" he growled. Bruno looked over at thequivering woman in the corner. "My God, you're scaring her to death.This is repugnant."
Michelle went back one more time to the well. He refused yet again,leading them all out of the room, berating them as he did. What thehell could happen to him in a funeral home? Was the eighty-year-oldwidow going to jump him? Was the dead man going to come back tolife? Michelle sensed that her protectee was really upset becauseshe was costing him valuable campaign time. Yet it wasn't her ideato come here. However, Bruno was in no mood to hear that.
No chance to win, and the man acted like he was king of the hill. Ofcourse, on election day the voters, including Michelle, would kickhis butt right out the door.
As a compromise Michelle asked for two minutes to sweep the room.This was granted, and her men moved quickly to do so while shesilently fumed, telling herself that she had to save her ammo forthe really important battles.
Her men came out 120 seconds later and reported everything okay.Only one door in and out. No windows. Old lady and dead guy the onlyoccupants. It was cool. Not perfect, but okay. Michelle nodded ather candidate. Bruno could have his private face time, and then theycould get out of here.
Inside the viewing room, Bruno closed the door behind him and walkedover to the open coffin. There was another coffin against the farwall; it was also open, but empty. The deceased's coffin was restingon a raised platform with a white skirting that was surroundedwaist-high with an assortment of beautiful flowers. Bruno paid hisrespects to the body lying there, murmuring, "So long, Bill," as heturned to the widow, who'd returned to her chair. He knelt in frontof her, gently held one of her hands.
"I'm so sorry, Mildred, so very sorry. He was a good man." Thebereaved looked up at him from behind the veil, smiled and thenlooked down again. Bruno's expression changed and he looked around,though the only other occupant of the room was in no condition toeavesdrop. "Now, you mentioned something else you wanted to talkabout. In private."
"Yes," the widow said in a very low voice. "I'm afraid I don't havemuch time, Mildred. What is it?" In answer she placed a hand on hischeek, and then her fingers touched his neck. Bruno grimaced as hefelt the sharp prick against his skin, and then he slipped to thefloor unconscious.
Continues...
Excerpted from Split Secondby David Baldacci Copyright © 2003 by David Baldacci. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Books will be shipped within two business days. Your order will be well wrapped and professionally packaged. A letter of thanks with a return address be included with every book. You can feel comfortable buying and returning here at The Yard Sale Store. Welcome to the Yard Sale Store Family!
The Yard Sale Store, Inc.
145 Main Street
Narrowsburg, NY 12764
TheYardSaleStore@aol.com
Phone: 845-252-3999
Jane Rose & John Pisanelli
If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION
Statutory Right to cancel
You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days for any reason.
The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, The Yard Sale Store, 145 Main Street, 12764, Narrowsburg, New York, U.S.A., of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.
Effects of cancellation
If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or The Yard Sale Store, Narrowsburg, New York, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of cancellation
The right of cancellation does not apply to:
Model withdrawal form
(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)
To: (The Yard Sale Store, 145 Main Street, 12764, Narrowsburg, New York, U.S.A.)
I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),
Ordered on (*)/received on (*)
Name of consumer(s)
Address of consumer(s)
Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)
Date
* Delete as appropriate.
Orders usually ship within two business days. We understand when someone needs a book right away. ASAP is our specialty. Communicate directly with a dedicated, caring duo. We live to ship your books!
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 4.30 | £ 7.28 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.