“The high-octane action scenes make this a must-read for military thriller fans.” — Publishers Weekly   Direct Fire brings the war on terror to America.   A powerful banker, gunned down in cold blood. A military family, senselessly slaughtered as they sleep. A key general, kidnapped from his farm near Fort Bragg. Atrocities like these are all too common in the Middle East. But this is the United States of America . . .   Time is running out for Jake Mahegan. Terrorist cells are gathering in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hackers are emptying the nation’s banks. And their final act of vengeance will bring the whole world to its knees. For Mahegan, it’s time to kill. Now.   “Horrific at times, spine-tingling throughout, A.J. Tata once again proves capable of writing a firestorm that’s even scarier because it is all too real. “ — Suspense Magazine on Besieged    “Tata’s books are absolute rollercoaster rides . . . fun and fascinating reads.” —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tom Clancy Full Force and Effect Praise for A.J. Tata’s Jake Mahegan Series:   "A riveting look at the terrifying reality of domestic terrorism." — Glenn Beck   "A must read for fans of thriller fiction.” — Newt Gingrich   “Tata writes with a GRIPPING AND GRITTY authority.” — Richard North Patterson,  #1  New York Times  Bestselling Author   “ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC...PULSE-POUNDING.” — Brad Thor,  #1  New York Times  Bestselling Author   "An explosive, seat of your pants thriller!" — W.E.B. Griffin , #1  New York Times  Bestselling Author   "Topical, frightening, possible, and riveting.” — James Rollins,   New York Times  Bestselling Author  “Powerful and timely. Great stuff!” — John Lescroart ,  New York Times  Bestselling Author   “General Tata's story mixes high-threat combat with an intriguing and surprising mystery. Vivid and complex characters make this a fascinating read.” — Larry   Bond ,  New York Times  Bestselling Author   "Grabs you and doesn't let go...written by a man who's "been there," this vibrant thriller will take you to places as frightening as the darkest secrets behind tomorrow's headlines.” — Ralph   Peters ,  New York Times  Bestselling Author   “I thoroughly enjoyed it…well done!” — President George Bush Brigadier General Anthony J. Tata , U.S. Army (Retired), commanded combat units in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 10th Mountain Division. His last combat tour was in Afghanistan in 2007 where he earned the Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star Medal. He is the author of three critically acclaimed novels,  Sudden Threat, Rogue Threat , and  Hidden Threat . He is a frequent foreign policy guest commentator on Fox News, CNN, CBS News, and The Daily Buzz . NBC’s Today Show featured General Tata’s career transition from the army to education leadership where he has served as the Chief Operations Officer of Washington, DC Public Schools for firebrand Chancellor Michelle Rhee and as the superintendent of the 16th largest school district in the nation in Wake County, Raleigh, NC. Direct Fire A Jake Mahegan Novel By A. J. Tata KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2018 A. J. Tata All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7860-3953-1 CHAPTER 1 JACKKNIFE CRACKED THE SHADOW BOX AND REMOVED THE COLT .45 PISTOL, thinking, In case of emergency, break glass. To Jackknife, the need for this specific pistol wasn't so much an emergency as it was part of an elaborate plan. Keeping a towel wrapped around the punching hand, Jackknife was able to avoid any incriminating lacerations from the razor-sharp shards of glass. Knowing what kind of pistol was in the mounted display on the wall of Major General Bob Savage's oak-paneled study deep in the bowels of the man's secretive Vass Estate, Jackknife had already secured the magazine and ammunition from the desk drawer. Savage was the enigmatic commander of JSOC, or the Joint Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Jackknife knew that Savage was not home this evening, that someone had sent the general a secure text message asking him to meet at a discrete location. The pistol slid easily from its red velvet background into which two mounting pegs had been secured. Jackknife's latex-gloved hands caressed the pistol as if holding a large, precious gem. The weapon was heavy and perfect in every way for tonight's mission. Jackknife retraced the route used to breach the secure compound, hiked a mile through the forest, cut through a golf course, and located the cash- purchased, gray 2002 Ford Taurus. Cranking the engine, Jackknife laid the Colt .45 on the towel on the passenger seat, folded the towel over the pistol, then placed it beneath the driver's seat with the magazine and ammunition. The drive to Charlotte took over two hours because Jackknife drove the speed limit the entire way. Passing a few police officers around nine p.m., the vehicle gave off no suspicion of DUI, speeding, or reckless