Threatened to yank our press passes, I said.
Nice, said Steve, raising his eyebrows. He pressing charges?
No, thatll probably come after tonights episode of meet the press. I climbed into the back seat.
Shaun did the same on the opposite side of the car, commenting, She means beat the press, doncha, George?
Possibly, I said.
Now will you tell me whats going on? asked Rick, getting into the front passenger seat and twisting around to face us.
Its simple, really, I said, sagging into the seat. Shaun already had his arm in place to support me, offering as much comfort as he could. Dave and Alaric followed the money and proved that Governor Tate was behind the attacks on Eakly and the ranch. Also, PS, the CDC is potentially involved, which isnt going to make me sleep any easier tonight, thanks. The senator wasnt thrilled with the idea that his running mate might be the goddamn devil, so hes asked us to go back to the Center to prepare our notes while he decides whether or not to fire our asses.
There was a long silence as the other three people in the car attempted to absorb what Id just said. Surprisingly, it was Steve who spoke first, in a low rumble closer to a growl than a normal conversational tone. Are you sure? he asked.
We have proof, I said, closing my eyes and leaning into Shauns arm. People have been funneling him money, and hes been funneling it on to the sort of folks who think weaponizing Kellis-Amberlee is a good thing. Some of that moneys been coming from Atlanta. Some of its been coming from the big tobacco companies. And a lot of people have died, presumably so that nice ol Governor Tate can be Vice President of the United States of America. At least, until the president-elect has some sort of tragic accident and he has to step into the position.
Georgia Rick sounded almost awed, overwhelmed with the possibilities. If we know this for sureGeorgia, this is a really big deal. This is Are we allowed to know this and not just report it to the FBI, or the CDC, or somebody? This is terrorism.
I dont know, Rick; youre the one who worked in print media. Why dont you try telling me for a change?
Even in cases of suspected terrorism, a journalist can protect his or her sources as long as they arent actually sheltering the suspect. Rick hesitated. Were not, are we? Sheltering him?
Pardon me for breaking in, Mr. Cousins, but if Miss Masons proof is as good as she seems to think, it doesnt matter whether she plans on sheltering him or not. My partner died in Eakly. Steves tone was normal now, almost casual. Somehow that was even more disturbing. Tyrone was a good man. He deserved better. Man who started that outbreak, well. That man doesnt deserve better.
Dont worry about it, I said. I have no intention of sheltering him. Ill talk it over with the senator, and if he wants to throw us off the campaign, hes welcome to. Ill mail our files to every open-source blog, newspaper, and politician in the country while were on the road for home.
This is crap, Shaun said, withdrawing his arm.
Right, I agreed.
Absolute f**king crap.
No argument.
I want to punch somebody right about now.
Not it, Rick said.
I punch back, Steve said. A note of amusement crept into his voice, making him sound a little less likely to explode. That was good. Not that Id object to seeing Tate get the crap kicked out of himI just didnt want to see Steve go to federal prison over it when the FBI would be just as happy to do the honors. Hell, after they had Tate in custody, and considering what had happened in Eakly, they might be willing to let Steve have his licks. Just as long as they got theirs first.
Just have patience; this is all going to be over soon, I said. One way or another, I guess were finishing things tonight.
Lets pick one way, okay? said Shaun. I dont like another.
Thats okay, I said. Neither do I.
We finished the drive in silence, pulling through the Center gates and enduring the barrage of blood tests that followed with as much grace as we could muster. Three of us were exhausted, scared, and angry; Steve was just angry, and I almost envied him. Angers easier to run on than exhaustion. It doesnt strip your gears as badly. Less than two hours after convincing him to abandon his post for my fools errand, Steve drove back into the motor pool, his car heavier by two journalists and a whole lot of free-floating worry.
Dont say anything, please, I said, as we climbed out of the car. Im meeting with the senator tonight, when he gets back from his dinner. After that
After that, I guess what needs doing is going to be clear one way or the other, said Steve. Dont worry. I wouldnt have gone into security if I didnt know how to keep my mouth shut.
Thanks.
Dont mention it. Steve smiled, briefly. I smiled back.
George, cmon! Shaun called, already a good four or five yards from the car. I want to get out of this damn monkey suit!
Coming! I shouted, muttering, Jesus, before I turned to follow him back to the trailers.
Rick walked with us as far as the van; then he turned left, toward his trailer, while we turned right, toward ours. Hes a good guy, said Shaun, pressing his thumb against the lock on the trailer door. It clicked open, confirming Shauns right to enter. A little old-fashioned, but still a good guy. Im glad we got the chance to work with him.
You think hell stay on after we all get home? I started rummaging through the mass of clothing on the beds and floor, looking for the cotton shirt and jeans Id been wearing earlier.
Nice, said Steve, raising his eyebrows. He pressing charges?
No, thatll probably come after tonights episode of meet the press. I climbed into the back seat.
Shaun did the same on the opposite side of the car, commenting, She means beat the press, doncha, George?
Possibly, I said.
Now will you tell me whats going on? asked Rick, getting into the front passenger seat and twisting around to face us.
Its simple, really, I said, sagging into the seat. Shaun already had his arm in place to support me, offering as much comfort as he could. Dave and Alaric followed the money and proved that Governor Tate was behind the attacks on Eakly and the ranch. Also, PS, the CDC is potentially involved, which isnt going to make me sleep any easier tonight, thanks. The senator wasnt thrilled with the idea that his running mate might be the goddamn devil, so hes asked us to go back to the Center to prepare our notes while he decides whether or not to fire our asses.
There was a long silence as the other three people in the car attempted to absorb what Id just said. Surprisingly, it was Steve who spoke first, in a low rumble closer to a growl than a normal conversational tone. Are you sure? he asked.
We have proof, I said, closing my eyes and leaning into Shauns arm. People have been funneling him money, and hes been funneling it on to the sort of folks who think weaponizing Kellis-Amberlee is a good thing. Some of that moneys been coming from Atlanta. Some of its been coming from the big tobacco companies. And a lot of people have died, presumably so that nice ol Governor Tate can be Vice President of the United States of America. At least, until the president-elect has some sort of tragic accident and he has to step into the position.
Georgia Rick sounded almost awed, overwhelmed with the possibilities. If we know this for sureGeorgia, this is a really big deal. This is Are we allowed to know this and not just report it to the FBI, or the CDC, or somebody? This is terrorism.
I dont know, Rick; youre the one who worked in print media. Why dont you try telling me for a change?
Even in cases of suspected terrorism, a journalist can protect his or her sources as long as they arent actually sheltering the suspect. Rick hesitated. Were not, are we? Sheltering him?
Pardon me for breaking in, Mr. Cousins, but if Miss Masons proof is as good as she seems to think, it doesnt matter whether she plans on sheltering him or not. My partner died in Eakly. Steves tone was normal now, almost casual. Somehow that was even more disturbing. Tyrone was a good man. He deserved better. Man who started that outbreak, well. That man doesnt deserve better.
Dont worry about it, I said. I have no intention of sheltering him. Ill talk it over with the senator, and if he wants to throw us off the campaign, hes welcome to. Ill mail our files to every open-source blog, newspaper, and politician in the country while were on the road for home.
This is crap, Shaun said, withdrawing his arm.
Right, I agreed.
Absolute f**king crap.
No argument.
I want to punch somebody right about now.
Not it, Rick said.
I punch back, Steve said. A note of amusement crept into his voice, making him sound a little less likely to explode. That was good. Not that Id object to seeing Tate get the crap kicked out of himI just didnt want to see Steve go to federal prison over it when the FBI would be just as happy to do the honors. Hell, after they had Tate in custody, and considering what had happened in Eakly, they might be willing to let Steve have his licks. Just as long as they got theirs first.
Just have patience; this is all going to be over soon, I said. One way or another, I guess were finishing things tonight.
Lets pick one way, okay? said Shaun. I dont like another.
Thats okay, I said. Neither do I.
We finished the drive in silence, pulling through the Center gates and enduring the barrage of blood tests that followed with as much grace as we could muster. Three of us were exhausted, scared, and angry; Steve was just angry, and I almost envied him. Angers easier to run on than exhaustion. It doesnt strip your gears as badly. Less than two hours after convincing him to abandon his post for my fools errand, Steve drove back into the motor pool, his car heavier by two journalists and a whole lot of free-floating worry.
Dont say anything, please, I said, as we climbed out of the car. Im meeting with the senator tonight, when he gets back from his dinner. After that
After that, I guess what needs doing is going to be clear one way or the other, said Steve. Dont worry. I wouldnt have gone into security if I didnt know how to keep my mouth shut.
Thanks.
Dont mention it. Steve smiled, briefly. I smiled back.
George, cmon! Shaun called, already a good four or five yards from the car. I want to get out of this damn monkey suit!
Coming! I shouted, muttering, Jesus, before I turned to follow him back to the trailers.
Rick walked with us as far as the van; then he turned left, toward his trailer, while we turned right, toward ours. Hes a good guy, said Shaun, pressing his thumb against the lock on the trailer door. It clicked open, confirming Shauns right to enter. A little old-fashioned, but still a good guy. Im glad we got the chance to work with him.
You think hell stay on after we all get home? I started rummaging through the mass of clothing on the beds and floor, looking for the cotton shirt and jeans Id been wearing earlier.
