Chapter 11 - The Public
LieBy morning, the story had reached every major network.
An explosion at an abandoned military airfield.
A missing senator.
A kidnapped veteran.
A secret facility connected to a defense company.
William’s office released no statement.
That silence allowed Robert Kessler to speak first.
He stood on the steps of the Capitol in Washington.
His expression was solemn.
His voice was carefully measured.
“Senator Harlan appears to have suffered a serious emotional breakdown.”
William watched the broadcast from Mara’s hospital room.
Kessler continued.
“We have reason to believe he entered a restricted facility while carrying stolen classified materials.”
Eli stared at the television.
“He’s blaming you.”
William nodded.
Kessler displayed a photograph of Charles Harlan in his wheelchair.
“This elderly veteran was killed during Senator Harlan’s unauthorized actions.”
William switched off the screen.
Eli looked at him.
“Are people going to believe that?”
“Some will.”
“Even when it’s a lie?”
“Especially when the lie is easier.”
Mara remained unconscious after emergency heart surgery.
Daniel had survived his gunshot wound.
Rebecca was also alive.
Both were under armed guard.
Lena entered the room with Dennis.
Dennis leaned heavily on a cane.
His boot had been removed.
His ankle was fractured.
But he refused to stay home.
“Kessler has ordered a Senate investigation,” Lena said.
“Into me?” William asked.
“And into the Fort Leonard Wood documents.”
“That sounds helpful.”
“It would be if his staff had not seized your offices first.”
William looked at her.
“The original microfilm?”
“Safe.”
“The letters?”
“Safe.”
Dennis placed a tablet on the table.
“We recovered more surveillance from Hangar Nine.”
The recording showed Charles admitting the child had been hidden.
It showed Rebecca accusing him of stealing Daniel.
It showed the countdown device.
But the audio cut out before Charles mentioned the larger project.
“Kessler will claim the footage was manipulated,” William said.
Lena nodded.
“We need a living witness.”
“Rebecca.”
“She has requested a lawyer.”
“Daniel?”
“He refuses to speak to us.”
Eli looked toward the door.
“Let me talk to him.”
William shook his head.
“He has been through enough.”
“So have I.”
“Eli—”
“He’s my brother.”
The words silenced the room.
William looked at Mara.
Then at the boy.
“All right.”
Daniel’s hospital room was two floors below.
A federal agent stood outside.
Inside, Daniel lay beneath white blankets.
His face was pale.
He looked toward the window when Eli entered.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Eli closed the door.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Daniel almost smiled.
Almost.
Eli sat beside the bed.
“Mom is alive.”
Daniel’s face remained still.
“She isn’t my mom.”
“She looked for you for twenty-two years.”
“Rebecca said she never wanted me.”
“Rebecca lied.”
Daniel turned toward him.
“She also stayed awake every time I was sick.”
“She went to every school meeting.”
“She worked three jobs.”
“She is my mother.”
Eli nodded.
“Maybe you have two.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with anger.
“Is that supposed to fix everything?”
“No.”
Eli leaned closer.
“But Vale shot you.”
“He took our mother.”
“And he is still out there.”
Daniel looked away.
“I don’t know where he is.”
“You know Kessler.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
Eli saw it.
“What does Kessler have?”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“A list.”
“What list?”
“Names of every child born to soldiers exposed at Fort Leonard Wood.”
Eli felt cold.
“Why does he want the children?”
Daniel looked at him.
May you like
“Because some of them are sick.”
“And some of them are worth billions to the company trying to patent the treatment.”
