Page 128 of Reverie
He continues. “As of now, those who are recovering are doing so with a long road ahead of them. Many of them have lost their families in the massacre. We, as a nation, grieve alongside them.”
A camera flash goes off as the agent speaks.
“After a tireless investigation by the Department of Homeland Security, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, we have determined that this terrible event was not the doing of an outside terroristic force, but instead the actions of homegrown enemies.”
The crowd begins to rumble.
“We have reason to believe that this attack was a coordinated effort by a small team of individuals who had specific, personal motivations to see this particular location wiped from the map.” The man’s gaze hardens as he looks directly into the camera.
“We believe that this attack was motivated by money and a disregard for human life rather than for ideological or religious reasons. There will be more to come as the investigation continues, but please rest assured that our agencies will stop at nothing to capture those responsible and to bring swift justice to those who have been impacted by this tragedy.”
The agent walks off the stage, declining any further questions as the crowd starts to spit them in his direction.
Another agent that I don’t recognize comes forward, but the broadcast cuts away to show Addison St. James’s somber face. The newscaster nods with her finger pressed to her ear. Her expression is very different from the one she wore when interviewing Morris and Blair Winthrope all those weeks ago.
After a beat, she raises her eyes to the camera. “That was Special Agent DeSoto with the Department of Homeland Security providing a much-needed update on the Chevy Chase Massacre. However, new information is coming in right now for startling breaking news.”
Dramatic, tense music pops through the speakers for three seconds as the camera angle changes. “We’ve just received an exclusive report that Blair Winthrope, daughter to business mogul and presidential hopeful Morris Winthrope, has been reported missing by the Winthrope family. Justin, what information do you have on this?”
“Yes, Addison,” the other newscaster, Justin, says with his finger pressed to the speaker in his ear. “We’ve just received a report that Blair Winthrope, fiancée to BwP CEO Hunter Brigham, has been reported missing by the Winthrope family. Sources say that Blair has been missing for the last two weeks, coinciding with the bombing of her fiancé Hunter Brigham’s building in the Chevy Chase Massacre.”
The camera angle changes again as silence falls over the room, and my heart thuds in my chest.
I don’t look at anyone—not Misha nor my mother. I definitely don’t look at Leo, who mutters an emphatic “shit” as he starts to pace the room.
Ella gasps and I allow myself to look at her. I’ve been avoiding her as much as I’ve avoided anyone else. She seems tired and sweaty, as if she’s come from a hard workout…and her eyes affix firmly on Leo.
“This news comes on the heels of the statement from Agent DeSoto regarding the same Chevy Chase Massacre which claimed four hundred and forty-nine lives. Justin, I have to say, there’s an obvious common denominator here and, I hate to say it, but….”
“Addison, that’s correct. It’s startling to say that both these events allegedly have some connection to Hunter Brigham. The BwP CEO hasn’t been seen in the weeks since the attack and very rarely before. Lance, can you bring up the images?—”
The television flicks off when a picture of Blair and I at our engagement photoshoot flashes on the screen.
Luna is the one to break the tense silence. “So, I guess that’s their angle. Huh.”
She says this as if she’s curious about their actions rather than alarmed by them.
“They want my take down to be public,” I say, everything locking in place.
I see their plan so clearly, as if watching it on a movie screen.
First, they’ll provide evidence of Blair’s death, linking it to me. Maybe they’ll bring up Amelia Manor and the attack that happened there. Of course, they’ll make it my fault somehow.
Then they’ll find something to point to my involvement with the bombing. Maybe it will be BwP’s failing financial state. Maybe it will be the idea that we can’t pay investors back after billions of dollars wasted on Project Panacea.
Then they’ll find me. They’ll try me. They’ll execute me either in secret by The Legion or through the state as a homegrown terrorist.
It’s all so very simple.
“So what’s the plan?” Leo asks the room, directing his gaze to Misha.
“We move now. That’s the plan,” Misha says.
Ella straightens and puts her hands on her hips, her back straight. “I’m ready,” she says, her voice confident. I stare at her for a solid three seconds before turning away. She does seem ready. Even if I’m not.
“Max, any luck on cracking Leo’s code?” Misha asks. The younger man bounces his leg as he sits in front of his computer screen.
He pulls something out of his pocket, keeping his palm closed until we can gather closer.