38. Chapter 38
Chapter thirty-eight
Remington
After spending a lot of time considering what to do with my pictures, I’ve finally made a decision. Despite Colton and Lenny’s concerns and warnings—their nearly endless arguments trying to dissuade me—I transferred the relevant photos onto a thumb drive with Danny’s notes.
I didn’t tell Colton or Lenny my plans. I hate keeping it from them, but know neither of them will understand and would only try to stop me.
I also scanned copies to my computer, my cloud account, and stored another set, along with the negatives, in my safety deposit box.
Knowing the Consortium and the man in the suit are still out there somewhere, I gave my attorney sealed envelopes addressed to Colton and Lenny.
Those contain the same photos and USB drives, along with instructions to deliver them should anything happen to me.
I wanted to cover my bases in case the Consortium gets their hands on my negatives…or sends an assassin after me.
Despite my fear and the danger, I know exposing the Consortium is the right thing to do. So today, I’m meeting with Lincoln Stone, a journalist I remember Danny mentioning.
After introducing myself, I tell him everything. My words come out in a rush as I detail Danny’s story and fill him in on the Consortium.
When I finish, I give him a stern warning. “I cannot stress enough how dangerous these people are. Danny died for this story. These people will kill anyone they deem a threat or who gets in their way.”
Watching him, I get the impression my concern isn’t having the desired effect. It seems to excite him more than scare him. I can see it—his hunger, the wheels in his head spinning, and his yearning to know more.
I almost envy him. I remember being that young and fearless, bursting with ambition. Not yet understanding how ugly and dangerous the world really is.
Of course, being a reporter, he has questions. “How damaging are the pictures? Any idea how high up this goes?”
“I don’t know. But at least as high as a sitting senator. I can tell you the pictures are especially gruesome.”
“Don’t get me wrong, this is the story of a lifetime, and I’m grateful, but why me?”
“Danny respected you and said you were trustworthy. Young and hungry. He told me you reminded him of himself.”
“You’re not giving me this story for nothing. What do you want?”
“I want credit for any of my photographs you use.”
“That’s a given.”
I don’t care about the credit for the photos. I just want the Consortium exposed. There’s only one condition that really matters to me. “And I want you to include Danny on your byline. That’s nonnegotiable.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. Do we have a deal?”
His huge smile makes him look so young and boyish. “Are you kidding? This is the story of the century. Hell yeah, we have a deal.”
I lean forward, lowering my voice. “Make no mistake, the second I hand over Danny’s notes and my photos, your life is in danger.”
“I get it. That’s what makes it intriguing.”
It’s easy to see what Danny liked about him. He’s a feisty bastard. That’ll come in handy. He’ll need all that bravado because he’s about to walk through the doors of hell.
I covertly pass him the thumb drive. Once he takes it, I grab his hand and squeeze, my tone sharp with a warning. “Guard this with your life. I mean that literally. And for god’s sake, be careful.”
He nods, and I release his hand. He slides out of his seat, and I watch as he leaves the restaurant through the back door.
I hope I didn’t just get him killed.
I wait a few minutes, then head out the front door to my car. If the Consortium doesn’t stop him, Lincoln Stone is going to break the story of a lifetime. It’s going to make him famous. That is, if he survives long enough to write it.