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Two hours later, Magnus and Carter landed at the airport, took a cab, and arrived a few blocks away from the convention center where Senator Johnson was to appear. They stopped at a Men’s Wearhouse and bought leisure suits. They hid stacks of money in various pockets in their jackets and slacks.
Magnus straightened his tie and smiled at his reflection in the mirror. “Carter, I think I’d enjoy having a great job where I dressed like this every day.”
Carter nodded, staring at his own reflection. He picked up his briefcase. “Makes you feel a lot different in how you dress, doesn’t it?”
“Definitely.”
They stepped outside the store and headed down the sidewalk toward the convention center. People stood in long lines outside the convention center.
“Even if we can get in, how will we get a chance to talk to the senator personally?” Carter asked.
Magnus noticed the people held tickets. “Damn, I don’t know. They already have tickets. We don’t.”
“Tickets? Why would you need tickets?”
“Must be election year or a fundraiser.”
“So we’ve wasted our time?”
“Maybe not,” Magnus said.
“But we don’t have tickets.”
Magnus smiled. “No, but we have a lot of money.”
Magnus scanned the people as they walked. He noticed a young couple holding VIP tickets. Political fanatics. Convenient, if he could get them to part with their tickets. Magnus smiled at the man and approached.
“Excuse me, sir,” Magnus said.
“Hey, no cutting,” the man replied.
“I’m not cutting. I’d like to buy your tickets.”
“What? Why?”
Magnus gave his best smile. “We really need to talk to the senator. Do your passes give you an opportunity to meet him in person?”
“Of course, but we paid several hundred dollars for them.”
“I’ll pay you five thousand dollars for the pair.”
The guy’s eyebrows rose, and he looked at his girlfriend. She smiled. “For real?”
Magnus nodded.
“But why?”
“Political reasons. We weren’t able to arrive earlier to get tickets, but we’ll pay you far more than you did.” He pulled out a wad of hundreds and counted.
“Damn,” the man said. He glanced at his girlfriend. “Want to sell them?”
She eagerly nodded.
The man handed the two VIP tickets to Magnus for the money.
“Thanks,” Magnus said. He turned and handed one ticket to Carter. They watched the excited couple hurry down the sidewalk. The VIP line moved much faster than the other lines, and they were inside the center within a few minutes.
They sat in a roped off section.
***
Senator Johnson delivered a rather dry speech to the audience that didn’t deserve any applause, but he received it all the same. He didn’t have any energy or enthusiasm in his words. His humdrum monotone and lack of facial expressions indicated a man who wished to part ways with the political arena, and he seemed to hope no one voted for him.
After Johnson finished the speech and headed off stage, Magnus and Carter hurried to follow him behind the stage.
Carter said, “Senator Johnson, may we have a moment?”
Two security guards stepped between Johnson and Carter.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen,” Johnson replied. “I’m very busy. Thanks for your support.”
The senator started to turn away.
Magnus cleared his throat. “What we need to discuss has to do with your involvement with Boyd Grayson.”
Johnson’s eyes widened. “To what exactly are you referring?”
“For starters,” Magnus said. “The prisoners you’ve been releasing into Grayson’s custody for the miner prisoner release program.”
Johnson became nervous. “And what of it?”
Magnus smiled. “Mind if we speak in a place more private?”
“Like I said, I’m very busy.”
Carter frowned. “Too busy that you’re willing to ignore the fact that you’re aiding and abetting Grayson’s abduction of my girlfriend?”
“Come on, Carter,” Magnus said. “There are reporters all over the place. Let’s give this information to them and the Feds. I’m sure their investigation will produce enough evidence to implicate the senator’s role in this scandal as well as Mr. Grayson.”
“Wait!” Johnson said. “Come with me. We might be able to help one another out. Forgive me for this. Bill and Jake, check them for weapons.”
The two security guards patted them down. “No weapons.”
One guard looked at Carter. “We need to check your briefcase.”
Carter hugged the briefcase to his chest and shook his head. “No. This is top secret. It never leaves my side but you have my word that I won’t open it.”
“Then we’ll have to ask you to leave,” one guard said.
“Carter,” Magnus said.
Carter shook his head. “No. It cannot be opened.”
“How about if one of the guards holds it while we talk with the senator?” Magnus asked.
“As long as he doesn’t open it,” Carter replied. “I’d rather he lock it in the trunk while we talk.”
“We can do that,” Johnson said.
“Thanks,” Carter said with a sigh of relief.
Johnson shook his head. “We’ll go to my limo. We’ll have privacy there without the press nosing their way into our conversation.”
“Works for me,” Magnus said.
When they reached the parked limo, one of the guards opened the rear door and let them inside with Senator Johnson, and then one of the guards climbed inside as well.
Senator Johnson sat back and exchanged glances with Carter and Magnus for a few quiet moments. “So, what information do you have that proves Grayson is holding your girlfriend against her will?”
“He’s holding her for ransom,” Carter replied.
“I work with Grayson a lot,” Johnson said.
“So we’ve noticed,” Magnus said.
Johnson’s face reddened. “He’s done a lot of underhanded things but he’s never kidnapped anyone. At least not on Earth.”
“He has her,” Carter said. “I went to trade with him last night.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Things didn’t go exactly as planned.”
Johnson shook his head. “With Grayson they never do. What do you have that he wants?”
“A deadly virus from Deimos.”
Johnson’s eyes widened. “You’re Dr. Carter?”
“Yes.”
Magnus glanced at Carter with pure skepticism. He looked like he wanted to say something but held back.
Johnson flicked his gaze toward Magnus. “And you are Magnus Knight?”
Magnus nodded.
“So, Dr. Carter, Grayson is holding Sylvia?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Grayson has ranted quite often about you. I could see aiding Dr. Carter in getting Sylvia released, but Magnus, I cannot justify helping you since you’re an escaped prisoner.”
“I was framed.”
Johnson nodded. “Of course, all prisoners are framed.”
“I’m serious.”
“Well, explain something to me. This is something I recently learned that Grayson had kept hidden from me for quite some time. Apparently he has been using some kind of mind control computerized chip that prevents the prisoners from rioting. Is that true?”
Magnus nodded.
“So how did you manage to get free of its control?”
“Mine malfunctioned.”
“Does that happen frequently?”
“From time to time. In severe cases the prisoners have died.”
Senator Johnson winced and looked out the side window, wringing his aged hands. “I was afraid of that.”
“Why does that trouble you so much?” Carter asked.
“Grayson has implanted my son with one of those chips. He showed me video footage and my son is nothing more than a zombie-like person that’s controlled by a computer remote control.” Johnson fought tears.
“Look, senator,” Magnus said. “We can help one another.”
“How’s that?” he asked, not looking toward him.
“I’d be happy to testify before Congress about what Grayson is doing. It’s unethical. He’s using the prisoners as slaves. They don’t work willingly. They don’t have eight-hour shifts. I worked several twelve hours shifts without a working chip. Some prisoners mine until they drop from sheer exhaustion, only they don’t even feel or realize it. But, I could testify on behalf of their mistreatment in return for—”
“Your freedom? A pardon?” Johnson asked.
“No, sir. The crime I was charged with wasn’t something I did. I want a new trial and a good attorney not appointed by the state. I want my name cleared.”
Johnson looked Magnus in the eyes. “I see. Well, your testimony could be quite useful in bringing Grayson’s corruption to light. A lot of government officials would love to have this information. They’ve been building a case on him for years, but have never been able to get conclusive evidence that could stick in court.”
Magnus smiled. “I’m glad to do whatever is necessary to help.”
“Dr. Carter,” Johnson said. “Where is the virus that Grayson wants?”
“I have it hidden in a safe place.”
“And if I can arrange a meeting with Grayson, can you produce the virus?”
Carter nodded. “Yes, but Grayson should never be allowed to get his hands on it. There isn’t a cure.”
“So we’re talking about a potential epidemic situation here?”
“With this virus in his possession, he holds leverage over the world. He’d become far more dangerous than he already is.”
Johnson nodded. A grave expression formed on his face. “I’ll make certain Grayson never gets the virus. It needs to be destroyed.”
“Of course.”
Johnson turned in his seat slightly, facing them. “If you two would indulge me, I need to stop by my office. It won’t take a few minutes. While I’m there I’ll contact Grayson and set up a meeting. I think I can convince him to let Sylvia go.”
“How?” Carter asked.
“I arranged for him to receive another hundred prisoners. That’s a huge bargaining chip. I will threaten to deny the deal if he refuses to remove the chip and let her go.”
Magnus shook his head. “Regardless of what he does, senator, you cannot allow him to get those prisoners. The work conditions on Mars are inhumane, and not one of them will live long enough to fulfill their contracts. Ask Carter. He’s a doctor. The workers are aging at an alarming rate.”
“That may be,” Johnson said. “But we must do one thing at a time if we wish to keep Grayson from suspecting we’re setting him up.”