Michael Palmer - A Heartbeat Away

“I propose that there is more to this situation than meets the eye. I further propose that by an exhaustive exploration of Senator Harlan Mackey’s tragic and horrible death, to which we have all borne witness, a new truth will emerge. This select committee must act with the interest of the country above the interest of any individual … or any president. We need to know what Genesis has demanded, not only with this terrifying attack, but with those that preceded it. Surely such demands have been voiced. Surely President Allaire must know what they are. Why has he not shared this information with the people through their duly elected senators and representatives? This committee must be prepared to deal with any and all possibilities—even charges that the president of our country has chosen to keep us in the dark as to what Genesis wants, and has resorted to murder to protect his self-interest by keeping those secrets from us. Does any member have an opening statement?”

A deeply entrenched Allaire supporter raised her hand.

“I have a statement.”

“The chair recognizes the congresswoman from Kentucky,” Ellis said.

“You’ve raised some interesting points, Madam Speaker, that have perhaps altered my thinking. Our dear colleague Senator Mackey appeared to have been executed for simply stepping outside. If this virus does not pose an extreme risk to the populace, as the president so asserts, why did Senator Mackey pay such a steep price for what would seem to be a minor transgression?”

“What are you suggesting?” Ellis asked, as a way of urging her on.

“I’m asking of those present at this proceeding, who believes this virus represents a minor health threat?” A majority of hands were raised. “In that case,” she continued, “we should be able to shortcut this investigation simply by getting somebody on this committee to volunteer to leave the premises and walk the same path Senator Mackey took. President Allaire assured us the shooting was accidental. We believe the virus threat is negligible. A quick trip outside should prove both claims quickly.”

“So said,” Ellis replied. “Do we have any volunteers willing to take up the congresswoman from Kentucky’s suggestion?” Not a single hand went up this time. “If you doubted the importance of our committee before, perhaps those doubts have now been erased.”

There was movement to Ellis’s right. She turned to see a Secret Service agent approaching, carrying a large, bulky manila envelope.

“These are closed proceedings,” Ellis said. “I’m sorry, but you are not permitted here.”

“My apologies, Madam Speaker, but this package arrived for you with our last supply delivery. I’m in charge of package security, so I had to have it scanned, but I did not feel the need to open it. It’s apparently from General Egan himself, so I thought you might want it right away.”

“Much appreciated. I’m sorry to have snapped at you.”

The agent handed Ellis the package, nodded to apologize for the intrusion, and left in the direction from which he had come. Ellis studied the delivery. It was a padded envelope sealed with clear plastic tape. The outside markings she recognized as official U.S. Army insignias, and it was stamped URGENT in bold red lettering. Ellis banged her gavel one time.

“The chair recognizes her right to call a thirty-minute recess.”

Ellis rose and maneuvered past the members of her select committee. To this point, the hearing could not have gone much better. As far as doing any significant damage to Jim Allaire, she was still feeling her way along. But the man was lying and concealing vital information, and she was far too much of a pro not to keep probing until something in his shaky façade gave way.

She knew who General Paul Egan was, but had only met him briefly at some sort of official affair. Almost certainly he wasn’t an Allaire supporter. Whatever it was, she sensed this package could only be good. Clutching it, she headed off in the direction of the ladies’ room.

General Paul Egan has nothing to do with this package. We used his name to be sure the security monitors took the delivery seriously and brought it to you. The members of Genesis believe that you are someone fit to lead this country. Reply to this message if you agree and would like to learn more. The code to open our messages will be the security login password of your Bank of Virginia online banking account.

Ellis took in a sharp breath as she read the text on the display screen of a handheld messaging device that had been carefully enclosed in protective wrap. It was as thin as a BlackBerry, but somewhat larger. The display on the screen was sharp.

Password? The device prompted.

Impossible, she thought. There was no way Genesis could have gotten ahold of her personal banking password. She purposely typed in an incorrect code, and the device immediately refused to proceed. She then typed in the correct numbers and was directed to two typed sheets, carefully hidden between the bubble wrap of the envelope and its manila outer shell. Printed on the first sheet were the words GENESIS DEMANDS.

Ellis took the package into a stall and secured the door. On first reading, the demands—radically antiestablishment—bordered on the absurd. But Ellis pushed aside her initial impression by reminding herself of the brilliance the organization had displayed thus far, as well as their unbridled ruthlessness.

Who is behind Genesis? she typed.

The response appeared less than a minute after she pressed Send.

We represent everybody who values true freedom. That is all you need to know. These messages are encrypted and secure. These transmissions cannot be detected. Have you read our demands?

Ellis reviewed the sheet of demands again, and then sent a message, which read simply: I have.

The device buzzed in her hand after Genesis returned a reply.

We have communicated these demands to the president and he has ignored us. The virus you have been exposed to is real and lethal. We alone have the treatment that will save your lives. The president, by not responding to our demands, has sealed your fates.

Ellis typed: What do you want from me? This time there was no immediate response. Can this all be some sort of trick on Allaire’s part? She had after all threatened him with impeachment. Could he be trying to set her up as one willing to negotiate with terrorists? It was possible.

If Allaire wasn’t behind this, then why were they reaching out specifically to her?

Ellis warned herself to tread softly until the picture became clearer. If the message were really from Genesis, then Allaire had not only ignored their communications, but kept them secret as well. If so, he had placed everyone in the Capitol in mortal danger. Suddenly, the device buzzed in her hand.

See to it that legislation is passed that will make our demands law. Do so and we will give you and you alone the antiviral treatment. You will be responsible for saving the lives of seven hundred of the most important people in America.

Ellis did not need Genesis to explain the potential impact of her being the one to end this crisis. She was more than fit to lead the country. It was her destiny to do so. What Genesis was offering was the path to that inevitability. She thought of William Jennings Bryan, who wrote: Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice . At that moment, her choice was to prove that the opportunity indeed was for real.