by Jacob Mesmer
“Given his abilities after a month, I suspect one could develop more strength and more control; would that be correct?” the general asked.
“Yes; absolutely. After a biopsy of the subject’s biologicals, we’ll have a much better idea of how to sort for more suitable candidates for this particular effect. Ideally members of the Armed Forces,” she said, carefully measuring his response.
“Agreed. Let me know when you find out; this looks to be very promising. I can already think of several applications. Good day.” The General stood and left without waiting for a response.
“As far as LoZiet, proceed as planned, correct?” Diamond asked her.
“I don’t see why not. If there are any outliers like the current subject in San Antonio, that will simply give us more data until they are terminated—either by us or by the authorities, as in this case,” she said, looking down at the file before her.
“Any legal blowback?” Diamond asked.
“I don’t think so. Nobody seems willing to pursue this. This appears to have worked out much better than we’d anticipated; wouldn’t you agree?” she asked.
“Absolutely. We’re already looking at an increase in sales in all consumer divisions of at least 50% over each of the next two fiscal years. Our stock should show a similar appreciation in price,” Diamond said, waiting for a response. There was none. “Will there be anything else?” he asked.
“No, that will be all.”
Only after Diamond left did Ms. Weismann allow herself to smile.
Chapter Forty-Five
Sean followed Alan down the nondescript hallway, looking at all the identical doors. No numbers. No identification. They stopped, and Alan opened the door.
“After you,” he said.
“How do you know which one?”
“You just do. There’s nothing but empty offices behind the wrong ones.”
After scanning his eye and fingerprint, they entered the office. They passed by the technicians busily working at their computers scanning maps, news reports, and various biometric data. Sean seemed impressed at the sophisticated equipment. Each cubicle was three yards by three yards and had no less than six 16:9 touch-screen monitors of at least 20 inches.
“Just what are these guys looking for?” Sean asked as they waited outside the senior agent’s office.
“You’ll see,” Alan said, smiling.
Sean sat directly in front of the senior agent, whose desk was spotless. Sean immediately realized that despite his age, which Sean put at late fifties, he would not want to meet this guy in any kind of hand-to-hand combat. He had a certain look he’d rarely seen in people, a focus that meant certain death to any of his enemies. He had grayish hair, a white shirt rolled up to the elbows, and a blue necktie, loosened. As they walked in, he simply stared at Sean as if measuring him. Alan had sat on a small sofa directly behind him.
“Detective Lovac, it’s nice to finally meet you,” he said, neither rising nor extending his hand. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a few questions. They may seem odd. I’d prefer you not ask for clarification. Simply answer them the best you can. I assure you there will be no—zero—negative ramifications. This is strictly off the record. Your answers stay in this office—an office few people know exist.”
Sean nodded.
“When you shot Mr. Hutchins in the back, he was unarmed, correct?”
“Correct.”
“Yet you didn’t try to subdue him using non-lethal methods?”
“Correct.”
“Why not?”
“I’d decided that he was too dangerous to stay alive.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
“I saw what he was capable of, and what I surmised he might become capable of. He showed no remorse, and he seemed to have support from an organization that, I would say, is not operating within the bounds of common law.”
“So you surmised that he could not be dealt with within the system, so he had to be dealt with outside the system.”
“Correct.”
“And you killed an unarmed man in cold blood.”
“Incorrect.”
“Explain.”
“He was not armed in the traditional sense. But he did present a real danger to those present.”
“I see. You had no second thoughts?”
“None.”
“How do you feel, in general, about those who operate outside the law?”
“I feel that everybody should be held accountable for their actions if they intend to harm others.”
“And if the justice system is incapable of holding them accountable?”
“They still need to be held accountable. The fact that the justice system is incapable of doing that does not remove that responsibility.”
“And if the justice system is incapable, do you feel confident in making that judgment?”
“Yes, I do.”
“How do you know? If there are no written laws?”
“I know.”
“Between right and wrong?”
“Correct.”
“Agent Long?” the senior agent asked.
“I concur,” Alan responded immediately.
Finally, the senior agent stood, extending his hand. “Welcome aboard, Agent Lovac. Agent Long will handle your training and orientation. In fact, you’ll rarely see me. He will be your direct report.”
As they walked out, Sean couldn’t help but notice the grin on Alan’s face. Sean was silent until they were alone back in the hallway.
“This is what you’ve been trying to recruit me for? What the fuck did I just join?” Sean asked, taking a much better look around the nondescript hallway.
Alan stopped in the center of the hallway and turned to Sean, his face serious.
“It’s a different world, Agent Lovac. The rules aren’t made by the good guys anymore. The rules are made by people paid for by people with power. People with money. And more often than not, the rules are made to help the rich and powerful stay rich and powerful.
“Sometimes that’s good for everybody; sometimes it’s not. When things slip through the cracks and innocent people get in the way, our job is to do what we can, however we can. You report to me. You don’t need to know who I report to. We stay off the radar. We find the bad guys and hold them responsible one way or another. You got a problem with that?”
Sean paused. “No, sir,” was all he could come up with.
Stunned. Amazed. Excited. He followed Agent Long down the rest of the hallway, wondering what exactly was in store for him.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Outlier. With all of the choices available, I’m glad you’ve chosen this one. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it.
If you did enjoy this, I would be very happy if you kindly left a review. I value your feedback.
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