history. I’ve tried to distance myself from his comments, and his association with other companies involved in such lobbying.”
“Which companies?”
“MACE, a security and arms company, owned by a man named Byron Stone.”
Tyrell frowned. “This MACE is involved with the alliance?”
“Yes, and they’re one of the companies supporting my campaign,” Black said.
“Why would an arms company ally themselves to an evangelical church?” Tyrell asked.
“MACE is owned by the church,” Black explained. “They’ve invested large sums into advanced aerial drones and cryogenic battlefield trauma surgery to save lives that otherwise would be lost to …”
Tyrell didn’t hear the rest. Four words rolled through his mind. Cryogenic battlefield trauma surgery.
What kind of surgery?” Tyrell asked. “How were they doing it?”
Isaiah Black seemed momentarily stumped.
“Something to do with a kind of advanced suspended animation, I think.” Tyrell felt a shiver down his spine as the senator spoke. “They rapidly freeze people with severe injuries to prevent death and then thaw them out once surgery is complete. Quite remarkable, although I don’t really understand the details of it all.”
“I’m beginning to,” Tyrell murmured thoughtfully. “Senator, the battlefield surgery could be a cover for these experiments.”
Senator Black looked at him for a minute as his brain processed the allegation.
“That’s ridiculous,” he stammered.
“Ignoring the connection would be ridiculous, Senator, for more reasons than one.”
“This could be detrimental to my campaign,” Black uttered as he made the same connection, then rubbed a hand across his face. “I should disassociate with them. I should have done it years ago.”
“That might be premature,” Tyrell said. “It might alert either Patterson or his accomplices to our investigation. We’ve already had one witness die under suspicious circumstances.”
“Suspicious?” the senator echoed in alarm.
“I would seriously suggest that you do not approach Patterson in any capacity, Senator,” Tyrell cautioned.
The senator sat for a moment, and then shook his head.
“I can’t let this get out to the American people,” he said finally. “It could upset the entire primary campaign and throw the party into confusion. If we lose our way now, we’ll never get our momentum back before the election.”
Tyrell saw his chance slipping away.
“We could preempt any political fallout, Senator, if we act now. Would you be willing to accompany me to the district attorney’s office? With you there I feel certain that I can obtain a prosecution, which would alleviate any pressure on your campaign, but alone I’m not able to present a case.”
Senator Black sat for a long moment and then looked at a copy of the United States Constitution affixed to the wall nearby.
“You’re sure that your case is sound, that the DA will be open to a prosecution? It’s a hell of a chance for me to take.”
“I’m sure,” Tyrell said. “All it needs is your support.”
The senator took a breath and was about to speak when the glass doors to the office burst open behind Tyrell with a loud crack, and he whirled in his seat to see four Capitol police officers rush into the office.
“Detective Tyrell, would you come with us, please?”
Tyrell struggled to his feet as the officers surrounded him. “What the hell’s this?”
Before the police could answer him, Captain Louis Powell swept into the suite.
“This comes to an end, now,” Powell growled.
Tyrell felt a plunging sense of dismay sink through him. “Lopez,” he said softly.
Powell turned to Senator Black.
“My apologies, Senator, but your time has been wasted.”
“I’m not wasting anybody’s time!” Tyrell shot back at the captain.
Senator Black raised his hands.
“Gentlemen, please. What the hell is going on here?”
Captain Powell gestured to Tyrell.
“Detective Tyrell has been ordered off this case by the District commissioner herself. It’s based on dubious evidence, unconvincing methods, and has been dismissed by every single authority involved, including the FBI.”
Tyrell struggled to keep himself under control.
“People have died and the case has been closed despite the evidence, not because of it.”
“The evidence you’ve acquired is inadmissible,” Powell said before turning again to the senator. “With your permission, Senator.”
Senator Black looked from Tyrell to Powell and back, and his survivalist political instinct took over.
“I’m sorry, Detective, but I can’t help you.”
Powell grabbed Tyrell’s arm, pulling him out of the suite. Tyrell looked over his shoulder at the senator.
“Stay away from Patterson,” he said as he was manhandled out of the suite.
Powell released him as the suite doors closed behind them.
“What the goddamn hell do you think you’re doing here?” the captain demanded.
“It’s something to do with a security company, MACE,” Tyrell said quickly. “They and the Evangelical Alliance are planning something in Israel.