Chapter 4 - The Phone Call That Reached Washington
Steven Mercer never made it to Switzerland.
His Gulfstream stopped taxiing six feet from the runway.
Federal vehicles surrounded it.
Mercer called three senators before agents reached the stairs.
It didn’t help.
Not anymore.
Richard Holloway responded differently.
He went public.
At 8:00 the next morning, every major network received a statement.
He denied knowing Emily.
Denied touching Madison.
Denied involvement in financial misconduct.
Then his attorneys attacked me.
A news anchor read the statement aloud:
“Nathan Carter is described as a disgruntled former federal employee using government resources to pursue a personal vendetta.”
Samuel muted the television.
“Predictable.”
I poured coffee.
“They’re trying to make me the story.”
“You are a pretty good story.”
“Samuel.”
“You disappeared eighteen years ago and came back with sealed warrants, federal teams, and classified authority. People have questions.”
“They can ask after we finish.”
My secure phone rang.
The caller ID showed:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
Samuel raised an eyebrow.
“That was fast.”
I answered.
“Carter.”
A woman spoke.
“Mr. Carter, this is Attorney General Rebecca Sloan.”
“Madam Attorney General.”
“I’ve spent the last three hours being told you do not officially exist.”
“That saves paperwork.”
She was not amused.
“You activated a classified authorization structure dormant for eighteen years.”
“Yes.”
“You deployed federal resources.”
“Through active warrants approved by federal judges.”
“Judges who previously served on Sentinel oversight panels.”
“They understand the law.”
She paused.
“Are you conducting a personal revenge operation?”
“No.”
“Your daughter is the victim.”
“Yes.”
“And you expect me to believe that has no influence on you?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
I continued.
“It has enormous influence on me. That is why Samuel Brooks controls evidence procedures and why I have not personally participated in interrogations of Holloway or Mercer.”
Silence.
Samuel gave a small nod.
Sloan asked:
“What exactly have you uncovered?”
I looked at the files covering the table.
“Bribery. Wire fraud. procurement fraud. witness intimidation. assault. obstruction. money laundering. theft of classified federal intelligence.”
“How extensive?”
“Possibly billions of dollars.”
Another pause.
“And compromised officials?”
“Yes.”
“How high?”
I named three.
The line went silent.
When Sloan finally spoke, her tone had changed.
“You understand one of those men chairs the Senate defense oversight committee.”
“I understand what his bank records show.”
“Send me everything.”
“No.”
Samuel looked at me.
Even he seemed surprised.
Sloan’s voice sharpened.
“Excuse me?”
“Your department has a leak.”
“That is an accusation.”
“It is a fact. Holloway learned Madison Shaw was alive within forty-six minutes of her entering federal protection.”
Sloan said nothing.
“I will transfer evidence to you once the compromised access point is identified.”
“You don’t dictate terms to the Attorney General.”
“Then hang up.”
Samuel covered a smile.
Sloan did not hang up.
“What do you need?”
“A clean team.”
“You’ll have one.”
“Independent forensic accounting.”
“Done.”
“Emergency protection for Madison.”
“Done.”
“And no political briefings until arrests are complete.”
“That one will create problems.”
“Good.”
“What does that mean?”
“If politicians are angry they’re not receiving updates, we’ll learn who is nervous.”
A long pause.
“I see why people used to hate working with you.”
“Samuel still does.”
Samuel nodded enthusiastically.
Sloan almost laughed.
Then her voice became serious.
“One more thing. Holloway has requested a meeting.”
“With whom?”
“You.”
“No.”
“He says he can provide information concerning Project Sentinel.”
Samuel leaned closer.
Sloan continued.
“He claims Daniel Voss wasn’t the highest-level source.”
That changed everything.
“Where?”
“Federal courthouse. Secure room.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
I looked at Emily through the hospital window in my mind.
“Tell him I’ll be there.”
Holloway arrived in handcuffs.
For the first time since this began, he did not look powerful.
He looked old.
He sat across from me.
“You ruined my life.”
I placed a folder on the table.
“No. I organized the paperwork.”
His attorney started speaking.
Holloway raised one hand.
“Leave us.”
The attorney objected.
Holloway repeated:
“Leave.”
Once the door closed, he leaned forward.
“You think Mercer and I built this?”
“You profited from it.”
“We inherited it.”
“From whom?”
He smiled.
“You really don’t know.”
“Try me.”
“Sentinel wasn’t betrayed after you left.”
He paused.
“It was compromised while you still ran it.”
I kept my expression neutral.
“Name.”
“I want immunity.”
“You’re charged with nearly beating my daughter to death.”
“Then I want protection.”
“From?”
His smile vanished.
“The people Mercer and I answer to.”
“You don’t strike me as someone who answers to anybody.”
“Neither did I.”
He leaned closer.
“Until I met them.”
“Names.”
“You protect me first.”
I reached for the door.
Holloway panicked.
“Wait.”
I stopped.
He whispered one name.
I turned back.
For the first time in eighteen years, I felt genuine disbelief.
“Say that again.”
Holloway did.
Samuel was waiting outside.
He saw my face.
“What?”
I handed him the written statement.
He read the name.
Then looked at me.
“That’s impossible.”
“I said the same thing.”
At the bottom of Holloway’s confession was the name of the man who had originally authorized Project Sentinel.
Former Deputy Attorney General Thomas Caldwell.
The man who had recruited me.
The man I trusted with every secret.
The man who had attended my wife’s funeral.
May you like
And according to Holloway…
The man who had spent twenty-five years selling America’s secrets to the highest bidder.
