Chapter 1
1
EMBER
My heart is beating at a million miles an hour, but I resolutely remain calm.
Well, it is my job to remain calm under pressure. I have no choice but to. Sure, I’m not doing something mind-blowingly dangerous like putting out fires or anything crazy like that... but getting the chance to sit down with some really bad people and conjuring up the ballsy willpower to ask them the difficult questions that no one else can – or dare – ask them can be a surefire way to really jumpstart your heart.
And the bad person – the very bad person – sitting opposite me, right now, is Joseph Wilson.
United States senator.
And someone with a very, very dark reputation.
And he is the man with whom I am about to interview...
Lord help my sorry butt.
Joseph Wilson is every inch the stereotypical male senator – well-groomed and polished and always ready for a handshake in front of a camera. He’s ripped straight outta the textbook of politician-lookalikes like a cardboard cut-out. He wears a dark blue tailored business suit with the American flag lapel pin and everything. He has slicked back hair dyed black. His white fake teeth shine. His glowing skin has been freshly tanned on a sunbed. A square block jaw stands him out as someone practically bred for television. He’s filled to the brim with the confidence of a man who wields absolute power and unquestionable authority. His political decisions, both big and small, have changed lives both at home and overseas, and – in his case - mostly for the worse, as my extensive research has informed me.
He’s been in this political game for decades, and is rich and famous for it. His networks run deep in American society. His reach is indeterminable but far-ranging.
There’s no doubt about it... he is a very scary man . And even more so with all the secret shit I’ve read about him.
The very same secret shit I am about to ask him about.
Keep it cool, Ember.
He sits opposite me in his chair with a detached and collected confidence. But I know I shouldn’t take it for apathy. His hawkish eyes are expertly trained on mine – primed and ready to detect any flicker of weakness from my dumb ass. This is not a time to stumble. I don’t need to research his history to know he’s one hell of a sly operator when it comes to past interviewers trying to nail him down. He is certainly one of the best in political business.
We’ve been very polite with each other ever since I’ve arrived at his office. It’s all part of the dance, and the man is a pro at the moves. He sambas his way through interviews. He knows how to be hospitable to a fault. By the way he and his team have cockily acted toward my news team and me since we’ve wandered in, it’s clear he thinks this will be some mere puff piece that should be a breeze to nail. It’s surprising he hasn’t done his own detailed research on me – he would find no puff pieces in my work history. Quite the opposite, in fact.
He clearly believes that this young professional woman – with my soft features and ditzy blonde hair – surely poses no threat to his seasoned veteran self.
Well, you’re dead wrong on that count, bozo.
I have done my deep-dive research. I have done my essential reading. This man sitting opposite me treats women like second-class citizens – there are plenty of anecdotal stories about that - which makes me the perfect candidate to get under his egotistical skin and chisel away to the real story...
“Ready to go?” the senator asks me and also to the wider room in a peacocking, gregarious tone. He’s clearly used to being the center of attention. Well, he’s certainly about to be one with my upcoming article.
If I get this right.
My cameraman behind me gives the thumbs up.
Breathe in, Ember...
“We’re ready,” I tell the senator.
He sighs, leaning back in his chair.
“I don’t want to be rude,” he mutters, “but I am a very busy man with many appointments left for the day. If we could get a move on and make this a quick interview, that would be great. What do you think, Ember? Shall we make this short and fun?”
“No problem,” I reply. “Let’s get straight into it. No messing around. Short and fun, I got it.”
“Just the way I like it, Ember. I can tell you and I are going to get along famously.”
That way he says my name...
We’re in his office – the top floor of a fancy skyscraper downtown. We’re not far from my work’s skyscraper, in fact. Up here, it feels like we’ve entered his kingdom, and Joseph Wilson easily assumes the mantle of a man lording over his domain. He has made his top-level office his own little fiefdom, erected as a symbol of his power.
His team has set up the interview in the center of the room. It’s a simple layout for a man who likes to flourish his style and influence - two chairs facing each other, just as I had asked for. It’s almost like we’re squaring off against each other in a boxing match. My heart rate certainly thinks so.
“We’re rolling,” my cameraman announces to the room.
And here we go...
“Senator, thank you for joining me today,” I start. “And thank you for giving us a minute out of your busy schedule.”
I am professional. I am strong.
I will not buckle under pressure.
I’m going to nail this bastard. I’ve got this.
“My pleasure,” Joseph replies smoothly, leisurely working the camera with a big fake smile. “I’m glad to have any opportunity to discuss my work in the community and the new charity I’ve just announced...”
“We will talk about your charity work in a moment,” I interrupt curtly.
“Oh?”
“But first I must compliment you. I have to say, your office has spectacular views over the city.”
“I’m a lucky man,” he replies, quickly pivoting. “It’s good to look over the people I represent. This space allows me to truly understand where I’ve come from and who I look out for. The people elected me. I am here to serve them as their senator.”
“Yes,” I say. “The office is nice.”
Joseph nods patronizingly and winks at the camera. He’s thinking I’m a shit interviewer – chatting about how nice his office is...
“It is nice, Ember. Thank you for the compliment.”
Time to go in for the kill.
“It must be a very nice office to work in,” I remark. “It must also be expensive, but you can easily afford it, can’t you? I wouldn’t think it’d be too hard for you, especially with all the money you’ve received from your... extracurricular activities.”
Senator Joseph Wilson blinks once. Twice.
He’s a wily operator, so it doesn’t take long for him to realize what’s going on here.
And of the trap he’s fallen into.
“What money?” he asks innocently enough. He’s stalling.
“Well, you certainly can’t afford an office like this on a meager senator’s salary,” I reply calmly. “You don’t have to be a political genius to figure that out. No, you must be getting the honey on the side, correct? An extra, hidden source of income not related to serving the voters who elected you? Something outside what’s allowed ethically?”
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Ember.”
“I have an entire list of allegations of you doing dodgy dealings in my possession with me today, senator Wilson, and I must say that this list of wrongdoings is very long . I can show you, if you like. Maybe that’ll reignite your memory.”
To demonstrate, I pull out the physical list from my bag and place it on my lap. It is very long. It practically reaches my ankles. I have to say, it has a lovely dramatic effect.
The senator’s eyes widen merely a fraction at the sight of the allegations against him – the only outward display of his feelings toward the list.
But he’s ever the professional. He composes himself and instantly rebuts...
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replies robotically.
Well done, he knows what to say under pressure.
I didn’t think he’d be an easy target.
But I’m not finished yet...
“Let’s go through the list,” I say before I begin to rattle them off. “Bribery, embezzlement, nepotism with your own son working here in your office. Insider trading. I could go on and on. That is one hell of a list, senator...”
“And it’s all completely untrue,” he replies. “I would like you to know every single word you’ve uttered from your mouth is defamatory and I will be talking to my lawyers...”
“We’ve done our research,” I say. “We’ve got evidence for every single one of those allegations. We’re confident, and we’re certain the truth will come out if examined. But I want you to have the first word here today, so what do you say to this list? What’s your reaction, senator?”
“No comment.”
The senator is firmer now. His eyes sparkle with anger and defiance. His big political brain is being put to quick use. He’s thinking through the next moments. He’s never been confronted with anything like this, and certainly not from some young female reporter who was merely meant to write a puff piece about his impressive background. He didn’t expect this today.
His crimes have caught up to bite him on the ass...
And it’s me who’s caught him in the act.
“Where are you getting this money from?” I ask, but I don’t need to. We know... criminal gangs... foreign governments... The senator has got his blood money from a wide range of illegal sponsors, and my team and I have the receipts. “How are you so rich on a senator’s salary?”
“No comment.”
“Don’t you want to tell the truth, senator?”
I want to push the limit here, but that question seems to send Joseph Wilson over the edge.
There is real anger behind his eyes now – the spark of that vindictive spite that has fueled his secret criminal activities.
The senator stands up.
“This interview is terminated,” he announces loudly.
“I’m just asking the questions that need to be asked,” I retort. “Please, sit down and explain yourself.”
“No chance in hell. This has been a set-up. It’s cowardly.”
“It’s merely the truth, senator. You don’t want to face reality?”
“I’ve got no comment for you, Ember Mortensen. No comment at all. Trust me, my lawyers will be in touch. Delete this footage at once. This interview is over. You get me?”
“We won’t be deleting this footage.”
“Delete it now, woman.”
“What about your crimes, Joseph? Do you have a comment for them? What about the people you’ve screwed over in your thirst for power and money? Do you have anything to say to them?”
“You’re not going to erase all this?”
“No chance,” I reply.
“Fuck this,” he growls at me. “I’ll be dealing with you later.”
“Is that a threat?” I ask him, trying my best not to smirk. “Do you want that on or off the record?”
And then the senator gets really mad.
“You’re a cunning little bitch, aren’t you? Coming in here and throwing these allegations around? You’re nothing but a stain on the heel of my boot. Delete all of this or I’m coming for you, bitch.”
I don’t answer him. Instead, I slowly turn around to my cameraman. He nods at me.
His nod means one thing – he’s caught all that .
And that’s all I need. That’s what I came here to do. I’ve got footage that’s sure to go viral.
And senator Wilson knows that too.
“Get the fuck out of my office,” he barks at my cameraman and me. “I’ll see you in court, or worse .”
I stand up and proudly walk away from the man.
That look on his face... it’s scary as hell. He’s a bad man who has the potential to do some very bad things not available through the legal system.
But I’ve got the footage.
I’ve nailed the bastard.
And he knows he can’t do shit to stop me.
I walk out of the office and my heart is beating harder and faster than it did before, but now I’ve got the story I came here to get.
That’s my job.
And I’m freaking good at it.