Two men are set on profiting from the release of a biological weapon, known as Maple Leaf, within the city of Washington D.C. One with the power to infect thousands and simply walk away with the millions already paid as a down payment to release the Maple Leaf serum, the other, our American President, with the power to alter the American way of life forever. Caught in the crossfire is our nation’s capital filled with eager tourists waiting for the start of the Fourth of July Parade. The perfect plan, the perfect weapon and the perfect setting. Step 339 will keep you guessing to the very end. -- ebooks 'n bytes Step 339 is a griping non-stop thriller. The siege of Washington D.C. has begun and the body tolls are rising. Two men want the profits and only one man can win. The stakes are high with the lives of thousands of people trapped inside the city on the line. Inside the battle zone lay our U.S. Constitution, our memorials to our war dead and Presidents, the epicenter of our military power, the central core of our government, and the hallmarks of our rich American history. Our American rights are being suppressed, our right to bear arms useless to defend against this predator. Maple Leaf had changed the concepts of war and how to fight the enemy. We face the enemy from within as one American accepting payment to release the serum stalks the city. The American spirit alive inside the city is facing certain death. Armed troops have surrounded and taken over the city. Life is about to change. Even our allies question the American government’s ability to manage the situation. U.N. Peacekeeping forces and Great Britain are posing to attack. The Maple Leaf weapon must be destroyed at any price. Nathan Shepherd is a native of Wisconsin. He was raised in the Town of Genesee, Wisconsin area, he currently lives in the metro Milwaukee area. Nathan did his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. Many of his professors were a constant source of inspiration. He married his first and only sweetheart, Sarah. Step 339 is Nathan’s first major novel, having previously written only short story essays. His wife, Sarah, is an accomplished writer and accountant. The adorable character, General Max Gray featured in Step 339, is based on their beloved dog who is conniving in his thefts of socks laying around the house. The idea for a biological agent came from Max’s unusual spring allergies. Nathan currently teaches Martial Arts in his spare time. Among his other interests he enjoys tinkering with his sixties era car and simple life in Wisconsin. An avid movie fan, Nathan enjoys complex and cliffhanging fictional works. General Max Gray placed the phone on the cradle and rubbed his forehead. The news was not good. Troops had reached the apartment building and found nothing. A rebel army supplied by ally nations and stolen arms had struck inside the troop line dividing the city. Mercy Hospital was now inside rebel held territory. An elite group of Marines were attempting to break through the lines to retake the Mercy Hospital grounds. Jeffery contemplating the rebel army tactics knew their goal was to liberate the civilians. The general already a step ahead of Jeffery picked up the phone to order the troops inside the hospital to change into civilian clothing. Thomas dressed as his character Lori Van Nuys pulled the gun out of his leg holster and placed it at Jeffery s left temple mumbling softly into Jeffery s ear, "Surprise." The general caught off guard laid down his teacup and made no move to alert the guards outside. Pushing the barrel of the gun into the bruised skin of Jeffery, Thomas updated the general on the situation. Informing him of the plans by the British to invade the city to regain civilian authority. Wincing in pain Jeffery listened silently as the general continued with his meal. Nothing in the horrors being described by Thomas surprised the general. He had known about the armed rebel army hours ago, but said nothing to the commanding officers. The two members of Congress being sought were here inside Mercy under alias-patient names. Kentucky Congresswoman Amy Bailey and Congressman Joseph Williams had sought safety inside the White House and were turned over to the general for evacuation. Missing the last flight out they were brought here for safekeeping. The general suspected that a quorum to vote Hutchinson from office would take place opted to ensure their safety here under the protective eye of his own hand selected guards. The plans were carefully laid out for both sides. The arrest of Hutchinson would be arranged to appease the allies here in Washington after Alexander took the oath of office before the international media spotlight. Thomas would turn over the Maple Leaf serum and antidote to the general. In return Thomas would be allowed to kill Hutchinson to fulfill his contract. Releasing the pressure of the barrel of the gun against Jeffery s temple, Thomas quickly cold