be removed from the records of all agencies involved, and Kelvin Patterson died tragically from natural causes.”
“What about Lucas Tyrell?” Ethan asked. “Lopez said he was killed during his investigation.”
“He died a hero,” Wilson said with genuine intensity, “and that will be on the record.”
“What about Joanna Defoe, my fiancée?”
“That will be for Senator Black to explain.”
“And the bloodline?” Ethan asked. “The message in a bottle that those remains represent? Surely we all deserve to know what the message is?”
Wilson’s features hardened, and he stood from his chair.
“They’ll be studied. Let’s just say that if you leave someone a calling card, you’ll make sure there’s a way of calling back on it.”
“And what if any one of the others goes public with what happened?” Ethan asked out of curiosity as he stood.
Wilson smiled as he shook Ethan’s hand, but his eyes were cold.
“Three things. First, nobody will believe them except the cranks and weirdos. Second, they’ll find themselves experiencing a long and continuous run of bad luck. If that doesn’t silence them, then the third thing will happen, and nobody wants that. Enjoy a long life, Mr. Warner.”
HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON DC
Why wasn’t I told?”
Ethan sat on the edge of a finely furnished couch opposite Senator Isaiah Black. The senator sighed, picking his words with care.
“It was a difficult time,” he began, “and the administration didn’t know how to handle—”
“The truth?” Ethan cut in. “It was a difficult time for me, in case they hadn’t noticed. They knew what had happened to Joanna Defoe and they refused to tell me.”
Black nodded, raising a placatory hand. “Please, I’m just the messenger here.”
“So what happened?” Ethan pressed.
Senator Black spoke quietly, holding Ethan’s pensive gaze.
“According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, Joanna Defoe traveled into Gaza before Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s retaliation for rocket attacks by Hamas. She was talking to high-level militants and filming them as they attempted to launch Qassam rocket attacks into Sderot. At some point MACE operatives decided to abduct or detain Miss Defoe against her will near Jabaliya.”
Black hesitated for a moment. Ethan waited, keeping his gaze fixed on the senator until he was compelled to continue.
“Jabaliya was hit by aerial attacks at several points during the conflict, each of which caused numerous casualties among the Hamas leadership. Israel believed that Joanna Defoe was inadvertently killed during one such attack, but it would seem likely that she may not have been there at all, held captive by MACE forces elsewhere.”
Pain pinched the corners of Ethan’s eyes and his top lip quivered.
“Why wasn’t I told?” he asked again.
“Most of the details were kept from the public because, essentially, the apparent passing of your fiancée was considered a direct result of Israeli military action. However, that action was against legitimate targets.”
“And Joanna likely wasn’t even there.”
Senator Black nodded.
“Pastor Kelvin Patterson was behind the entire operation, having gained a controlling share of MACE in order to provide security and mobility, as well as plausible deniability in the form of advanced cryogenic battlefield surgery for his experiments. This was nobody’s fault except his, and at least now you have the truth.”
“All lies lead to the truth,” Ethan said. “Do they know what happened to Joanna afterward?”
“I’m afraid the trail runs cold at that point,” the senator said. “If Byron Stone or Spencer Malik knew anything about it, they took their secret to the grave.”
Black looked down at a legal file in his lap.
“It has been decided that in recognition of your efforts both to liberate Lucy Morgan and, not least, to prevent Kelvin Patterson from killing me, the administration should compensate you for your loss. They understand that you have suffered a great deal, and that any court hearing would find in your favor. I do not think that the terms of your compensation will be disappointing.”
“They would be disappointing to Joanna.”
“I know,” Black said, the line of his jaw hardening. “But I think that you’re by now aware of the delicacy of what’s come to pass and of the need for security. All other parties have been compensated to their satisfaction, including Lucas Tyrell’s family. I owe you my life, Mr. Warner, and if it’s of any consolation, I’m willing to offer my support to you in any way from this day on. I never forget a debt.”
Ethan stood up, and finally managed a faint smile.
“I may call you up on that one day, especially if you make it into the White House.”
Senator Isaiah Black grinned as they shook hands.
“I hope that