I’m lost in my head as my fingers fly across my keyboard when a video call pops up, and I answer. “Hey Teag. Are we set on your end?”
“Yup. The footage is already scheduled. Once Samantha joins Baker on stage, I’ll hit play. I already took over the network servers, barring anyone from the TV station to cut to commercial,” Teagan explains.
“Good to see you again, Teagan. I’ll ignore the fact that you also withheld information from me,” Emma states, leaning over to peer at my screen.
Teagan shrugs, not remotely affected by Emma’s icy demeanor. “You better than most understand. There’s no way I could ignore a direct order.”
The two of them stare at each other for another moment before nodding. Some silent agreement is made between them.
“So, what exactly is this plan?” Emma asks before August scoops her up, making her squeal as he sits her in his lap.
Chuckling, I reply, “We’re going to broadcast a compilation of video evidence of everything we have on the Senator and his wife to the world.”
“Every news network and social media platform will get a copy of the footage as well as a detailed outline of the sequence of events,” Rowan adds.
“In other words,” Karl says, bending to kiss Emma’s forehead before he takes a seat on her other side. “Tonight’s the night we burn their worlds to the ground, leaving them nowhere to hide.”
Emma smirks. “When is everything supposed to happen?”
I type in another line of code, granting me access to the Baker’s bank account. I enter a few more commands, then turn to face Emma. “At the end of the debate. We want to make sure they don’t see this coming,” I answer, and she beams.
“You mean this will be over tonight?” Emma probes.
I want to tell her, ‘
Yes,’ but I won’t jinx it. The last time we allowed ourselves to be optimistic, she- Closing my eyes, I try to block the memory of Emma’s blood in the hallway.
“Hey,” Teagan interrupts. “We have five minutes until the debate begins. Where are you with the Senator’s bank account?”
“Teag, you wound me. Do you doubt my capabilities?” I retort, lifting my hand to my chest in faux outrage.
She snorts. “Answer my question, dickhead. We have minutes left.”
“All funds, even offshore accounts, have been wiped. Senator Matthew and Samantha Baker are officially broke,” I grin.
I see movement on the television out of the corner of my eye as the two moderators come into focus. “Good Evening. Thank you for joining us here in the nation’s capital for the 2024 Presidential Primary Debate. I’m Jillian Moore.” One states before the other moderator introduces themself.
“And I’m Bryant Montgomery. Seven presidential hopefuls must pass a critical test tonight to become their party’s Presidential nominee.”
Tuning out the remainder of the introductions, I focus on my next task. “Is the file ready for the Secret Service?” I ask Sebastian. His role was to have Matthieu use his new ally to gain access to the head of the Secret Service.
“The documents should be landing on Chad’s desk in twenty minutes,” Sebastian replies.
I’m preparing to lower my head when Emma speaks. “Why not before?”
“We need them to run,” I explain. When I see a confused look on her face, I continue. “Once the Secret Service gets the information, they’ll station agents at every exit except the one we want unguarded.
Emma’s nose scrunches in confusion. “If you think that answer clears anything up, I ask you to please try again.”
“There’s a shoot-to-kill order in place, Angel. If either of them attempts to flee, agents have been instructed to take the shot,” Karl answers.
“And we want very much for them to run,” August adds, rubbing her lower back.
While they continue filling Emma in on the plan, I have Teagan double-check that all the footage is on the drive. “We can’t leave any room for doubt. The country needs to see who their precious Senator truly is.”
“I see this is payback for my earlier snub, Liamon,” Teagan grumbles, rolling her eyes. “You know the answer to that. So, I won’t dignify that with a response.”
Snickering, I continue to set our plan into motion as I sip my drink.
“Senator Baker,” Jillian calls, pulling my attention from my computer. “One in nine girls and one in twenty boys will have experienced some form of sexual abuse before the age of eighteen in this country. Unlike TV shows, we know that a family member or an acquaintance commits the majority of these heinous acts.”
I nearly choke on my juice. “I forgot we added questions,” I rasp, clearing my throat.
“Excuse me, what?” Senator Baker inquires as his face turns beet red.
August cackles. “Wait until he gets the next few.”
Jillian repeats the question, “What will you do to combat the alarming rates of children being subjected to these life-altering experiences?”
Senator Matthew Bakers stumbles and stutters over his words, obviously flustered by how spot-on the question is.
Each candidate gives some variety of the same answer, promising to end all forms of child abuse. I grit my teeth at their hypocrisy, knowing at least three of them also like to molest underage children.
“Secret Service is on the move,” Sebastian announces, and I check the time. Perfect, another thirty minutes, and it’s show time.
Round after round of questions and arguments occur as each candidate grandstands, postulating their fitness for office.
“Senator Muller, thank you,” Bryant says as the camera pans over to him.
It’s time! “This concludes our first primary debate of the election year. We hope these questions helped spark thought and an eagerness to make an informed decision come November.”
The camera shifts to Bryant’s left, landing on Jillian. “We want to extend our thanks to Bradford Hall Theater for hosting us.”
“Wait, did he just say Bradford? As in my family?” Emma squeaks, rubbing her stomach.
“You okay, Ry?” Rowan probes, standing. “How long have you been having contractions?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.