File Zero. Джек Марс

      AN AGENT ZERO SPY THRILLER SERIES

      AGENT ZERO (Book #1)

      TARGET ZERO (Book #2)

      HUNTING ZERO (Book #3)

      TRAPPING ZERO (Book #4)

      FILE ZERO (Book #5)

      RECALL ZERO (Book #6)

      A new threat rises to power that threatens to shake the foundation of America to its core. It’s up to CIA Agent Kent Steele to pull at the threads and unravel the brilliant but deadly master plan before it is executed—all while staying out of the line of fire of those who want him dead.

      Agent Zero: Though he was unable to stop the Brotherhood from destroying the Midtown Tunnel in New York, Agent Zero successfully ended the terrorist organization and helped save thousands of lives. During a clandestine award ceremony at the White House, his lost memories suddenly returned to him all at once—including his knowledge about the war conspiracy.

      Maya and Sara Lawson: Now that they know what their father is and does, Zero’s daughters understand that they are viable targets for those trying to get to him. However, they refuse to become victims again, displaying intelligence and tenacity far beyond their age.

      Agent Maria Johansson: Maria continues to work with the Ukrainians despite Zero’s insistence that she break ties. Though stopping the war is crucial to her, she is equally determined to find out if her father, a high-ranking member of the National Security Council, is involved in the government conspiracy—and if not, what might become of him if he doesn’t relent.

      Agent Todd Strickland: The young CIA agent and former Army Ranger was stunned to learn of the government plot from his friend Agent Zero, but now that he knows, he is as resolute as anyone to help put an end to it and keep innocent people from needlessly dying.

      Dr. Guyer: The brilliant Swiss neurologist that initially installed the memory suppressor in Agent Zero’s head attempted to bring the memories back with a machine of his own invention. He believed the process had failed, and is unaware that Zero’s memories have belatedly returned.

      Agent Talia Mendel: The Israeli Mossad agent helped put a stop to the Brotherhood’s plot in both Haifa and New York. Though unaware of the conspiracy, Mendel makes no attempt to hide her appreciation for, and attraction to, Agent Zero, willing to help in any capacity she’s able.

      Fitzpatrick: The leader of the “private security force” known as the Division, Fitzpatrick was sent after Agent Zero by Deputy Director Ashleigh Riker in an effort to stall him in New York. Fitzpatrick was struck by a car driven by Talia Mendel, his fate largely unknown.

      CHAPTER ONE

      I am Agent Zero.

      He had already known it, at least for the past few months, ever since the memory suppressor had been violently ripped from his skull by the trio of Iranian terrorists working for Amun. But this… this was different from just knowing. It was an awareness, a sense of being and belonging that had come on as swiftly as a heart attack, and equally pernicious.

      “Agent Zero?” said President Eli Pierson. “Do you need to sit?”

      Reid Lawson stood in the Oval Office, the President of the United States standing before him with a smile on his lips but puzzlement in his eyes. In his hands, the president held a polished wooden box of dark cherry. The lid was open; nestled in a small pillow of velvet was the Distinguished Intelligence Cross, the highest award the CIA could give.

      Only a minute earlier, Reid could not recall ever having visited the White House before. But now he recalled it all. He had been here several times, clandestine meetings just like this one, so the president could commend him on a job well done.

      Less than a minute earlier, the president had said, “I’m so sorry. Director Mullen, is this the Intelligence Cross, or the Star? I can’t seem to keep them straight.”

      And that was when it happened. That single word had triggered it all:

      Straight.

      That word stuck in Reid’s mind and lodged there, sending an electric tingle up his spine.

      Strait.

      And then the floodgates opened suddenly and without warning. It felt as if an intruder had shouldered open the door to his brain, forced his way in, and made it his new home. Quick as a bolt of lightning, he remembered.

      He remembered everything.

      Hunting terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Apprehending bomb makers in Kandahar. Midnight raids on compounds. Briefings, debriefings, weapons training, combat training, flight lessons, languages, interrogation tactics, rapid intervention… In half a second, the dam in Reid Lawson’s limbic system broke and Agent Zero surged through. It was too much, far too much to process that quickly. His knees threatened to buckle and his hands trembled. He slumped; Maria’s arms caught him before he hit the carpet.

      “Kent,” she said quietly but urgently. “Are you all right?”

      “Yeah,” he murmured.

      I need to get out of here.

      “I’m okay.”

      I’m not okay.

      “It’s, uh…” He cleared his throat and forced himself to stand again, albeit shakily. “It’s just the pain medication, for my hand. Made me a bit woozy. I’m okay.” His right hand was wrapped in layers of metal braces, gauze, and tape, after the terrorist Awad bin Saddam had crushed it with the anchor of a motorboat. Nine of the twenty-seven bones in his hand were broken.

      And even though there had been a throbbing pain only a minute ago, he now felt nothing.

      President Pierson smiled. “I understand. No one here will be offended if you sit.” The president was a charismatic man, young for the office at only forty-six and nearing the end