Matty placed the handheld video camera in front of the Chief of Staff. "There's the raw footage. I think some rainwater might have leaked into it, so you might need your techs to break it down. The data will be in there though."
Everyone turned to the now indisputable President of the United States of America.
"This is unbelievable,” Jared said, running hands through his salt and pepper hair. Suddenly his own chair felt smaller. “Don, I think it's safe to assume our new friends here are telling the truth."
"Sir, we need to get you sworn in."
"Oh, shut up about the sworn in crap, Donny. There's more important shit going on than a damn title. For starters, get the Marine detachment back here..."
Donald didn’t hide his scowl.
“And you men," Simmons continued. "We owe you an apology and a debt of gratitude. I can imagine that your journey hasn't been an easy one, but you are safe now. We will take over from here."
"Matty leaned back and sighed. “Ah, finally. Tell me you guys have beds so I can sleep for a month?"
"We do," Simmons answered, corner of his right lip bending up in a smile. "For the time being, you and your people are to be treated like my personal guests. I want you to personally see to that, Donny."
“My pleasure, sir,” Donald replied, making sure his bitter tone was not picked up by the President.
"Sir, forgive me for speaking out of place, but we need to figure out what to do,” Agent Hause said next. “If their associates have not succeeded in destroying the truck, we need to make sure the public does not get their hands on Ambrosia.”
"I agree. At least not until we can determine the real nature of thisvaccine.”
"Mr. President," Kim interrupted courteously, "I can detail the route our friends took, and any other information you might need."
"Good. Donald, wake up the techs and have them get on the satellites and start tracking their last known whereabouts.” Simmons sat back but retained a domineering posture. “We also need to start thinking about an attack plan. As far as Liz Baron is concerned, we don't know any of this. Donald, who's left from the cabinet?"
"I’ll check, but we know the AG and Secretary of State are deceased."
"Get me everyone you can. I don't care if they are asleep or hiding in their closet. As much as I want retribution for the President and people at Blue Springs, I feel it’s most prudent to wait until we get everyone in on this. But when we move, it will be fast and hard. Liz Baron doesn't know what's coming for her."
Donald was the first to spring from his chair. By the time he reached the exit, he was already communicating with the computer technicians.
"And Donald.”
“Yes, Mr. President?”
“Get me the Secretary of Defense immediately. I want to speak with him first."
"Sir, if I may," Hause interrupted again, "There’s something else we should consider.”
“What’s that?”
“We can't be too careful about this information. I would keep it as need to know, until you figure out what you want to do with it."
"Good point. Now for you two," President Simmons said, looking at Kim and Matty. "Go get some food and sleep, you've earned it."
Kim went to say something, but Jared cut him off with the palm of his hand. "I know, Agent Kim. You will be notified the moment we hear anything and before we act."
“I just want to be a part of this, sir. Agent Clint is still out there, engaged in who knows what. I just want to see this through.”
“Indeed you will be,” Simmons said, then pivoted in his chair. “Mr. Matty was it?"
"Matty Finch, sir. You can call me Matty. Or whatever you want," he said quickly, words rushed as he realized he was speaking with the President of the United States of America and not an informal friend.
"Mr. Finch, I hope you don't mind, but I will need to be taking your computer and all the evidence you have."
"That's not a problem. So you know that is the only copy we have, sir. I had the files translated into voice and text as well, sir. Oh, and if your guys need help with anything, I’m pretty good with computers.”
"Is this absolutely everything?" asked Agent Hause.
Matty reached down, and from an inside pouch he subtly removed the flash drive with the back-up copy on it and placed it beneath his groin. He lifted the green bag for the President to see and replied, "Yup, that's everything."
"Good. It will be guarded with the utmost protection. Now, Agent Kim and Mr. Finch, if you don't mind I need to prepare for a war. Agent Hause, please show them to their friends, then report back here."
"Yes sir, Mr. President."
For a fleeting moment the elevated title seemed to stun Jared Simmons.
“Come on, Dave, let’s get you some chow,” Agent Hause said, leading the men into the corridor.
"That guy is a dick," Matty whispered nodding ahead where Donald Quick was speed walking. His voice must have carried, because Donald looked back and sneered before making a turn down a different hallway. "Sorry, been wanting to get that off my chest since we met the guy."
Kim and Hause looked to each other and laughed.
"Think an hour is bad? Try being next to him every day for your entire career."
"I often used to wonder why we put our lives on the line for such assholes," Kim added, referring to a time that seemed like decades before. "But for all the shitty ones, there are good people in politics."
"Okay, bias aside, does that Donald guy always doubt everything? It's like everything we tried to say he took it as a lie."
Hause shrugged. "Part of that is his job, I guess. Politics are surrounded by yes-men, so there always has to be a voice of doubt; someone to argue the other side.”
“Makes sense.”
“But the other part of the answer is ya, he's a dick."
Everyone shared a laugh and by the time the chuckles were no more, the three men arrived at the cafeteria doors. Matty entered and reunited with the others who had trays full of real, non-vending machine, food. Kim, meanwhile, stuck behind with Agent Hause.
"Shame to hear about the President though.”
Disheartened, Kim stared at the ground. "We did everything we could. Lost a lot of good men and women."
"I'm sure you did. And hey, I don’t mean to sound callous, but I'm glad you made it, buddy."
“Thanks.”
A long moment passed before Hause said, “I still can't believe this is all true. You guys really came from Blue Springs? You really saw the President get assassinated? And the LIFE Corp is responsible for everything? Between you and me, I never really trusted that company.”
"Tell me about it."
"Look, Dave, I know you wanna be a part of this, so I'm gonna do my best to keep you in the loop.”
"Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it."
"You got it. Hey, I gotta get back to the control room and figure this mess out. Hold on one sec-” Hause called another agent and told him to report to the cafeteria, then continued. "But if you guys need anything, let my agent know. Just relax, you’re safe now."
Headquarters of the LIFE Corporation- Location unknown
December 3, 2009
2200 hours
MIA’s red image backpedaled as Liz walked briskly to the command room. “Ms. Baron, you were brought in unconscious. Testing revealed mild dehydration and nutrient deficiency, and my records indicate you have not slept in over forty hours. I know you disagree, but based on your condition, I was compelled to medicate you to induce sleep. Your mind and body needed to rest.”
“I know what is best for me,” Liz interrupted as she peeled off the sticky ECG’s from her chest. “MIA, get me Lizzy, now!”
“Ms. Baron, you have only been under examination for twenty-four hours. Might I suggest allowing me to run further testing? Your high stress levels coupled with the dehydration, lack of eating, and insomnia led to the fainting, and for your safety I would prefer to administer additional tests to see
what other factors may have contributed-”
“No, that will not be necessary. I feel fine, and there is too much that needs to be done. I will not repeat myself, MIA, get my daughter online.”
“Of course. The call is already in progress, Ms. Baron.”
“Jenna?”
“Yes, Ms. Baron?” Jenna replied, keeping in stride with Liz.
“Caffeine, dinner, and full dossier on the Towers of LIFE project in front of me in five minutes.”
“I hope you don’t mind my prudence, but I went ahead and called the chefs. Your Kona-Indonesian roast blend and half a roasted duck with mango salsa, brown rice, and vegetables are waiting for you,” she said, swiping all directions on her tablet.
“Good girl.”
“I will gather your personal laptop and meet you in a few minutes,” Jenna said, deviating from the path.
Liz pulled back her hand from the scanner. The command room door slid open, and directly ahead, Lizzy’s face took up the entire screen.
“Hello, Mother. My God, what are you wearing? It looks like a hospital gown. It’s hideous-”
“Never mind that, Lizzy,” Liz said, taking a seat in front of her steaming meal, “we have a problem…”
Lizzy listened intently to the recent turn of events. "All that happened yesterday? Daytona is dead? And West killed Albert?”
Her questions were merely inquisitive in nature, as indicated by her tone and general lack of sympathy over the deaths of her brothers.
“Why was I not notified the moment it happened?”
“Ms. Baron, your laptop,” Jenna interrupted politely. She had the device powered on and awaiting password input.
Liz used the opportunity to shift her deceitful eyes from Lizzy to the computer. After entering the correct alphanumeric code she answered, “I did not inform you because I was temporarily indisposed. Nothing serious. I will tell you later.”
Lizzy’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Mother, it’s not your heart again is it?”
“Of course not. I said I will tell you later. Now let’s move on, we have much to discuss.”
Reluctant to do so, Lizzy accepted the answer. “Well this certainly complicates things...but, wait, come to think of it, with Albert and Daytona gone it actually benefits us.”
Liz’s eyebrow rose slightly. “What do you mean?”
“It means we’re safe. Us and the company. With no one alive to interrogate, West won’t know how to get to us or what our plans ultimately are. I won’t be sending him a fruit basket, but West did us a favor. Additionally, I think we can spin the loss of Ambrosia to our benefit...”
In the background, Jenna accepted a call on Liz’s private line. “One moment, I will see if she is available,” Jenna whispered, walking hastily to Liz’s side. “Ms. Baron, I have your informant on hold for you.”
“All we have to suggest to the government is-”
“Lizzy, hold on. MIA, include Lizzy on the call,” Liz said, holding the phone to her ear. “I did not expect to hear from you so soon. Unless it's important, I will call you back."
"It is!” the contact replied, distressed. “You said you wanted any updates, even the smallest piece of information. Well, I have urgent news! Simmons knows!”
“Knows what? I don’t have time for word games.”
“A few hours ago, people just showed up at the bunker. They said they were survivors of Blue Springs."
"So what? It's my word against theirs, and there's no way Simmons can believe them over me. They can't prove the refugees of Blue Springs were infected only we can."
“Ms. Baron, what is the current state of the production facility in Nevada?”
“The Farm has been attacked and presently offline, why do you ask?”
“Then it’s true.”
“What’s true?”
“Everything these people have been saying. About you, the company, manufacturing the virus. They were part of the vigilantes who attacked the Nevada facility...”
A feeling of anger and rage resonated through the phone.
"There's more, Ms. Baron. This group brought evidence. Apparently, Daytona didn't do a good enough job of killing the President, because he managed to make a video outlining the conspiracy and your involvement. Ma'am, between the President’s last will and testimony and this group’s validation, the evidence is clear and indisputable.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that the Vice President knows what you’ve done. He’s planning an offensive to take you down. He ordered Air Force Two to prepare for departure, and will be heading east to meet with the other cabinet members and those left in the military.”
It looked as though the vein in Liz’s forehead was going to burst. Her eyes were wide open and jaw muscles flexed to their maximum. “As of this moment, who knows about this?”
“Presently, only the survivors of Blue Springs, the Vice President, his inner circle, and he’s going to inform the Secretary of Defense. Simmons put this information on need to know, so in theory, no one else should know. Ms. Baron, I don’t have much time. I have to get back to work. What are my instructions?"
"Your primary orders are cancelled. Now you are to destroy all evidence and kill those damned survivors!"
"Ms. Baron, without sufficient time to plan, I'll be discovered!"
"I'll send a plane for you, just get it done! Shoot, stab, poison, blow them up, I don't care! Any means necessary, do you understand me? We can't have this information shared with the rest of the government!"
“Understood.”
Liz hung up the phone and screamed. “There is a strong possibility our operation has become compromised beyond repair, Lizzy."
"On the contrary, Mother. Assuming your spy takes care of the tape and the people who know about it at the Fox Hole, our operation still might be salvageable.”
“I’m listening.”
“It might appear counterintuitive, but I propose we let Air Force Two take off and head east. Then this is what we do..."
Liz listened to every conniving word. She was in awe of her daughter’s menacing intelligence; of the new levels of creative cruelty she was capable of.
"I'll make preparations. If this works, we might be okay."
"Have faith, Mother. I’m not like your other children. My plan will work.
The Fox Hole
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
December 4, 2009
0600 hours
"That's all of it," Jared Simmons concluded. "You are the first to hear of this, Norman. I am waiting until I have the rest of the cabinet members together to inform them.”
The Secretary of Defense’s real-time video image took up the whole screen. He was speechless, all but for a moment. "Thank you for your candor, Mr. Vice President, excuse me, Mr. President."
"There was a reason I choose to speak with you first, Norman."
"Well, based on my position, I'm assuming you wanted to discuss military options?" Norman Chiller said, fidgeting with the large gold band on his ring finger.
"Exactly. Elizabeth Baron and her company will pay for all of this. We need to attack quick and swift."
The Secretary of Defense relaxed in his chair. "I agree.”
"Pardon the interruption, but gentlemen, what we are about to accuse the LIFE Corp of is grave. Something we cannot take back," Donald said, putting his hand on Matty Finch’s laptop. “This is a lot of information to process. Maybe we should step back and take some time to sort it out? Maybe take into consideration that the President didn’t have all the facts himself? Or maybe it wasn't Ms. Baron but a rogue faction within her company?"
Jared Simmons looked to his Chief of Staff. "Donny, is that a voice of reason or-"
"You know whose side I'm on, Jared,” Quick answered, cutting down even the slightest suggestion of disloyalty. “You know why you keep me around.”
"Then what are you getting at?"
"I'm just saying that it wouldn't hurt to s
low down and take a breath. Cooler heads prevail, sir."
Jared leaned back and released something that was a cross between a yawn and frustrated growl. "First day on the job and already have enough shit on my plate for a four-year term.”
"Mr. President, if I may suggest, I feel it would be best if you came to The Shelter,” the Secretary said, referring to the largest government bunker located on the East coast. “Our facility has plenty of defenses and enough security to safely protect you and yours. We can discuss our options in person and stage our assault here. I'll begin to gather what is left of our military, and when the other cabinet members ask I will let them know only as much as necessary. When you arrive, you can inform everyone."
President Simmons looked to Agent Hause. “What do you think?”
Sitting beside Donald, Dustin had been waiting patiently to speak his mind.
"I agree with the Secretary of Defense, sir. Ms. Baron knows where you are at, so in case she decides to make a move of any kind, it would be best if you were in a more secure location. I highly doubt she would attempt anything brazen if the government was unified again. She might have a private army but she doesn’t lead the American Armed Forces."
"Good point, and as I have for the last six years, I trust your judgment, Dustin.”
"I'm on it, Mr. President. I'll coordinate the best route to The Shelter and wait for your go ahead. Anything else before I go?"
“That will be all.”
“What do you need from me?” asked the Secretary of Defense.
“Nothing for now. I would like some time to think about all of this. I will contact you and let you know when I decide to move.”
“Of course, Mr. President.”
The video call ended and the screen went blank.
Dustin folded over his page of notes and bent over to put them in his bag. "I'll call you when the logistics are ready, sir," he said, then departed.
Jared and Donald sat restlessly in the cave-like command room.
"I think I need some coffee," The President said, hands over his reddened eyes.
"Me too.”
“Sir, would you like one of us to go?” asked the taller of the President’s personal armed escort.
The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side Page 57