“What exactly happened to you?”
“Never mind. It’s not important right now. But what is important is that there’s far more to this story than a simple nuclear heist.”
“How so?”
“I’m not sure yet, but I’m working with an FBI agent to figure it out. Everything is leading us to believe that this was an inside job.”
“You mean someone in the government orchestrated this attack.”
“Yes, and used Russians to misdirect everyone. But I need to confirm a few more things before I start spewing this information.”
“And you need to be more careful about saying this on an open line.”
Flynn rolled his eyes, glad that Theresa couldn’t see him. “Anyway, I was wondering if you might be able to hook me up with that guy you told me about.”
“The hacker?”
Flynn snapped his fingers as he tried to think. “Yeah, Black Magic or something like that?”
“Black Magic is the guy’s name. I’m not sure I want to have this conversation on our phones, you know with the NSA tapping media’s landlines.”
“And you think your cell is safe?”
“My encrypted burner phone is.”
Flynn chuckled. “I never took you to be so overly cautious.”
“It’s impossible to be overly cautious in this day and age. Give me a sec and I’ll call you right back.”
Seconds later, Flynn’s phone buzzed.
“Okay, here’s his number,” she said before rattling it off. “Tell him I said to take good care of you.”
“Do we have enough in the story budget to pay this guy?”
“He’s on retainer. Call him. And call me when your story starts to take shape. I’d love to help if I can.”
“You got it.” Flynn was about to hang up when he heard some squealing in the background. “Theresa? Are you still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“What’s going on? It sounded like I heard some high-pitched screeching in the background.”
“You did. A couple of staffers are reacting to a news bulletin.”
“That exciting, huh?”
“Have you been following that story about the sergeant in Afghanistan, the one whose entire troop was obliterated by U.S. drones? At least, that’s what he claims happened.”
“Just bits and pieces.”
“Well, it looks like he just parachuted out of a transport plane over the Potomac River.”
“Are you sure?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Flynn took Banks by the arm and started nudging her toward the door. “We’re on our way right now.”
CHAPTER 27
DR. WATSON COULD HEAR everything but refused to even twitch. In her right lab coat pocket, she held a rag soaked in chloroform. She waited and waited. With her ear to the floor, she heard every click of every step on the floor. The muffled voice of Dr. Franklin outside seemed somewhat calm as he gave orders.
After about ten minutes, two men finally entered the room.
“Doc said to drag her into the quarantine room,” one of the men said.
“Do you think it’s dangerous?”
“Nah. They’re just being overly cautious.”
“Good. I hate wearing this mask.”
They each grabbed one of Watson’s arms and started dragging her across the floor toward the quarantine room. Then she clutched the man on her left, digging her fingers into him.
“What the—”
She pulled him close and head butted him, stunning him temporarily. He grabbed his nose while she went to work on the other man. She grabbed the back of his head with her left hand and shoved the chloroform-soaked rag into his face with her right. He gasped and struggled to get away but not before the chemical knocked him out.
The man she head butted was still holding his nose when she jumped on his back and shoved the chloroform over his face. He went down within seconds.
That was far easier than I thought it was going to be. She smiled. Maybe I should’ve been a spy.
With the two men out of the way, Watson scurried down the hall to another room. She grabbed several of the microbes she needed for her latest attempt to create the vaccine, working with one eye on the door, which she’d locked and bolted after dragging the men’s bodies out into the hall. She didn’t have much time to mix her latest concoction and test it.
While waiting for the cells to incubate, she meandered toward the quarantine chamber. Mosley looked up at her, nearly defeated, the bags under his eyes sagging.
“Help me,” he groaned.
She shrugged and pressed the intercom button to speak to him. “I’m trying. Your little stunt didn’t make it easier for me.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was desperate.”
She stamped her foot. “So you kill us both?”
He shook his head. “I know it was wrong. I’m sorry. But I know you’ll figure something out. You always do.”
The centrifuge stopped whirring and she hustled over to check it out. She mixed the antidote and loaded it into a syringe. She wanted to give it to Mosley first and observe how he reacted. But she was running out of time—and her self-preservation mode kicked in. Without another thought, she jammed the syringe into her own armed and waited. She said a quick prayer and waited some more.
A few seconds later, she crumpled to the floor.
CHAPTER 28
SENATOR THOR GLANCED at the notecards in his hands and took a deep breath. He shuffled through them several times and rehearsed what he was going to say underneath his breath.
“You’re going to be fine, Senator,” one of his aides said while he swept lint off Thor’s jacket with the back of his hand. “Just let the people know what’s at stake. It will be an easy sell.”
Thor closed his eyes. “I hope you’re right. Because if the American people buy the spin machine out there that says we should remain isolationists—”
“They won’t,” the aide answered. “The American people often vote for a candidate by thinking the best about him. But when it comes to safety, they always believe the worst.”
Thor tapped the cards against his leg, straightening them out. “Do you believe the worst?”
The aide looked down and rocked from his toes to his heels. “I rarely believe anything anyone ever says,” he said after a few moments. “Except for you, of course.”
A thin smile spread across Thor’s face. “I don’t even believe that.”
A member of the cable news crew popped her head into the room. “We’re ready for you in thirty seconds, Senator Thor,” she said before darting outside again.
“Knock ‘em dead, sir,” the aide said and slugged Thor in the arm. “They need to hear this.”
Thor tugged at the bottom of his sport coat and strode toward the door. “Wish me luck.”
“Always,” the aide said.
Thor opened the door and walked into the lobby to meet the large gathering of reporters in desperate search for a fresh angle on the news breaking that Staff Sgt. Thatcher was attacked by U.S. drones. Legal analysts had already debated whether such acts could be considered murder and what was the burden of proof required to make such an accusation. Others bantered about the news that he was a disgruntled soldier, one who had been passed over more than once for promotion. And every other view on the spectrum found time on the airwaves.
But the ultimate conclusion to Thatcher’s fate didn’t concern Thor. All he wanted was to seize upon the opportunity to show the American people that their precious safety hung in the balance if they didn’t do something about it.
He strode to the podium, laboring under the weight of microphones, and started to speak.
“Over the past twenty-four hours, a couple of stories broke that should have all of us—as American citizens—concerned.” He flipped his first card and glanced at it before looking directly into the camera in front of him. “Our precious liberties are not to be taken fo
r granted, not now, not ever. The day we begin to presume upon them is the day they start to vanish. And I think it’s safe for me to speak for countless Americans when I say this: We’re not interested in losing any liberties at the hands of rogue nations or terrorist sects, lest we make the sacrifice of tens of thousands who’ve fought valiantly for this great nation meaningless.”
He took a deep breath and continued. “Earlier today I sat in a meeting with U.S. senators from both sides of the aisle to discuss how we might better fund our troops to protect us against outside aggression. Unfortunately, I was in a minority. Some people felt beefing up our military equated to a provocation of war. Others held the belief that there are better things for us to invest in domestically than the military. And I couldn’t disagree more with either viewpoint. Protecting ourselves is of utmost importance if we intend to remain a free nation. And if that action provokes our enemies, so be it. I have no doubt the American resolve will ward off any such threats from those countries that would like to see us removed as one of the world’s superpowers.”
Cameras clicked and flashed as Thor continued.
“The American people need to send a message today to those who have sworn an oath to uphold the constitution as they represent the citizens of this great nation. And that message is this: Don’t let political ideology be the altar upon which we sacrifice our freedoms. Don’t let Washington politics get in the way of keeping Americans safe. And don’t let us become a toothless nation, unable to protect and defend not only ourselves but also others.”
Thor looked sternly at the camera in front of him and nodded. “Thank you for your time.”
He exited to a flurry of questions called out by the press corps, none of which he intended to answer. His speech spoke for itself. It was the first of many salvos he intended to fire at those senators stonewalling suggested military spending.
Thor closed the door behind him, his heart still pounding. He leaned against the door and let out a long breath. “So, how’d I do?”
His aide broke into a big grin. “You nailed it, sir. If I wasn’t working for you, I would’ve gone and signed up to join the military.”
“That convincing?”
“If you’d have gone on any more, the networks may have billed the military for commercial airtime.”
Thor frowned. “I wasn’t trying to be a cheerleader—just a prophetic voice in a world determined to hear what they want to hear.”
“You definitely accomplished that.”
Before Thor could continue the conversation, the door flung open. It was Senator Ryan.
“Just who do you think you are, standing in front of the cameras and scaring the American public like that?” Ryan said as he slammed the door behind him.
“Isn’t the answer obvious? I’m a man doing my civic duty to inform the people of the chicanery happening behind closed doors on the taxpayers’ dime.”
“You think you’re helping, but you’re not,” Ryan growled.
Thor walked over to the aging senator and put his arm around him. “We’re on the same team, you and me. We need to stick together, not be torn apart.”
Ryan shook free of Thor’s arm and stepped back. “We’re not on the same team, not in the least bit—especially if you insist on shooting off your mouth about what’s taking place in our committee meetings.”
“The American people have a right to know—”
“The American people have no such rights. They have the right to believe what we tell them.”
“That’s why it’s high time we start with the truth.”
“The truth isn’t a miracle worker. In fact, it often betrays the good of the whole. You’d know this if you’d been on the Hill longer than a few years and weren’t so green behind the ears.”
Thor sauntered up to the senior committee member and stared at him, cocking his head to one side. “It’s that kind of thinking that’s put us all at risk. A war is coming—and if we’re not prepared, we’re all going to die. You may not care about that since your best years are behind you, but what about your kids, your grandkids? Don’t they deserve to live in a country that’s as grand and wonderful as you once believed it to be?”
“It still is.”
“Not if you think neutering our military is the way to go about it.”
Ryan poked his cane into Thor’s chest. “That’s not what is taking place here—you’ve gotta believe me.”
“Then what is going on here? Maybe you can start there and clue me in since you want us to be on the same page so badly.”
“You’ll see in time.”
Thor walked toward the window and shook his head. “No, no, I won’t. Your cloak and dagger approach isn’t something I’m willing to wait on. I’m being proactive about this. By the end of this week, Americans will be so whipped into a frenzy that everyone on that committee will be looking to me—not you—for leadership. They’ll see me as a visionary.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it.”
Thor laughed. “Is denial a trait that every elderly person is born with?”
“Is stupidity a trait that every young person gets at birth?”
Thor pointed at the door. “Get out. And don’t try to stop me. I know what this country needs—and it’s more honest politicians, not deceptive ones like you.”
Ryan hobbled toward the door and opened it. He looked back over his shoulder. “A war is coming all right—and you better watch it or you might become its first casualty.”
CHAPTER 29
BY THE TIME FLYNN and Banks reached the site of Thatcher’s landing spot in the Potomac, a slew of Metropolitan Police Department squad cars were scattered throughout the area. They walked toward the scene, where Thatcher slogged through the water toward the bank while TV camera crews and news helicopters tried to capture the event as it unfolded.
Flynn ignored one of the officer’s calls to stop, marching toward the action. One of the police officers handcuffed Thatcher before he set foot on dry ground and shoved him toward land.
“Is this really necessary?” Flynn said.
“Save it, Flynn,” one of the officers said. Then he paused. “And who let you in here anyway?”
Banks flashed her badge. “He’s helping with an investigation.”
The officer rolled his eyes. “And this is an FBI investigation how?”
“It’s our jurisdiction.”
“Bullshit,” the officer shot back. “This has got nothing to do with you and you know it.”
“You keep telling yourself that, buddy,” Banks snapped. She read the officer’s name off the nametag plastered to his shirt.
“Until I hear otherwise, this stunt man will remain in my custody.”
Banks held up her finger. “Hold that thought.” A quick conversation with her supervisor led to a call on the officer’s phone.
“Officer—Davids, was it?” she asked.
“Who’s asking?” he said.
“I think the person on the other end of your phone call.”
Davids rolled his eyes and answered his phone. He remained silent while the person on the other end rattled off a list of instructions. “I understand, sir. Will do.”
“He’s all yours,” Davids said, shoving Thatcher toward her.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you,” she said.
He waved her off and signaled for the other officers to vacate the premises.
“That was easy,” Flynn said with a wink.
“I have that effect on people sometimes.” She grabbed Thatcher and uncuffed him.
“Thank you,” Thatcher said. “That guy was starting to get on my nerves.”
“You learn to deal with him.”
“So, what do you plan to do with me now?” Thatcher asked.
“Let’s talk about it in the car.” She pointed toward her vehicle and started walking.
Thatcher turned toward Flynn. “Hey, aren’t you that guy on television?”
Flynn flashed a smile. “More of
ten than not, I’m mistaken for George Clooney on the silver screen, but who exactly are you talking about?”
Thatcher stopped. “No, wait a minute. I know I’ve seen you before. You’re that conspiracy theorist guy, aren’t you?”
Flynn shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”
“I knew it,” Thatcher said, clapping his hands. “I don’t watch television all that much, but I knew I recognized you from somewhere.”
Flynn cocked his head to one side. “You sure it wasn’t in a movie?”
Thatcher shook his head and smiled. “Stop playing games with me.”
“Get in the car,” Banks said.
Thatcher got into the backseat, while Flynn joined Banks in the front.
“I don’t think I could’ve had a more perfect person to pick me up than you,” Thatcher began as he buckled up.
“Why’s that?” Flynn asked.
“Because you’ll actually believe me.”
Flynn wagged his finger. “I wouldn’t jump to hasty conclusions. Just because I investigate conspiracies doesn’t mean I believe them all. It’s why I investigate them.”
“Well, this one is worth investigating.”
“How so?”
Thatcher slammed his fists down on the seat next to him. “Are you kidding me? My own government—my own military—tried to have me killed for what I saw.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason?”
“If you saw what I saw, there’d be no doubt.”
Flynn turned around in his seat and studied Thatcher. “So, what did you see?”
Before Thatcher could answer, a loud pop echoed in the car as glass from the back window shattered, spilling into the car. Instinctively, Thatcher and Flynn both ducked while Banks started to weave the car back and forth.
Pop. Pop.
Two more shots found their target, hitting the body of Banks’ car. She whipped the car onto a side street and stomped on the gas, disappearing from what she presumed was a sniper perched nearby. She drove for a few minutes without anyone saying a word. Not another shot.
“What the hell was that?” Thatcher said.
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