“I wish to say to my fellow Americans, and our neighbors around the world, America did not start this terrible plague of biblical proportion. We, as a nation, did not do…or even conceive…of any such thing. And, I promise you, if we learn that a crazed man or a company led by a madman did this, the punishment will be swift and unprecedented. You can know this as truth!” He pounded his fist against his desk with a loud thud.
“Now, let me turn to our efforts to track down the origin of these dreadful rumors. The potential harm of these unfounded reports is already evident. Sadly, they have already sparked attacks against innocent government officials and the wanton destruction of property. For that reason, our efforts to track down who started these vicious rumors are being conducted under the auspices of the Patriot Act and this is being treated as an act of terrorism against America.”
Once more, he paused for effect. “This decision was not taken lightly, as we deeply value the right of Freedom of Speech within my administration. However, the spreading of these unconfirmed reports at a time of great trial for America is a dangerous act. Already, this rumor has resulted in violence upon the innocent. I’m sure that the decent and God-fearing people of America will agree with me that the threat to our shared national security posed by these lies trumps any right to free speech.”
The camera now zoomed in further, almost imperceptibly, but the effect was dramatic. Cooper felt the hair on his neck rise. “I wish to announce that we have a person of interest in this investigation. Our evidence indicates that this person may know about, or have been directly involved in, a series of dreadful acts including the killing of Mr. Ethan Mitchell, the CEO of Admonitus. Most importantly, we believe this person is responsible for spreading panic and violence by proclaiming these irresponsible—and unfounded—allegations. This person of interest is Mr. Cooper Adams, of Portland, Oregon.”
The President’s words sucked all the air out of the room where Cooper, Dranko, and Jake sat. Silence engulfed the room. Both Jake and Dranko looked at Cooper in shock.
“As you might imagine, prior to this crisis, we would have this person in custody before I would make such an announcement. However, our resources are already taxed beyond heroic measure and I refuse to allow the apprehension of this person to take precedence over tending to the greater, and more immediate, needs of our nation. I am coordinating efforts with the Governor of Oregon to apprehend Cooper Adams and to bring him in for questioning. In the meantime, I urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact their local authorities. I also wish to remind my fellow Americans of their power to make a citizen’s arrest in the event they encounter Cooper Adams and can secure him until the authorities arrive.”
Dranko let out a low whistle, “Christ, Cooper. He just declared open season on you!”
Cooper’s face gave Dranko a sharp rebuke as he inclined his head slightly to remind his friend that Jake was in the room with them. Dranko continued undeterred, “I know you don’t want to hear this, but we need to get out of here. As soon as they can get themselves organized, they will be coming for you.”
“Dranko, we’ve been through this before. I won’t leave my home. It’s all I have left of Elena.”
Dranko sprung to his feet, “Cooper, don’t be ridiculous! This changes everything. Hell, yes, we’ve survived against some teenage hoodlums, some disorganized thugs, and even that squad of National Guarders. We’ve been far beyond lucky! Tell me you think we can survive the full weight of the U.S. Government, even if they are disorganized and weak right now!”
Cooper stood in turn. His own head was swirling in shock at hearing the President call for his arrest to a national audience, “Damn it, Dranko. Just give me a minute before you start telling me what I have to do!”
Dranko knew his friend’s lack of outright rejection was his best chance, “I’m sorry, brother, but I have to tell you because you need to think straight right now. You know what I’m talking about! They are figuring out how to land a couple Blackhawk helicopters on your front lawn and send a couple teams of Navy Seals to round your ass up! If the world wasn’t a stinking pig pile of shit, it would’ve already happened.”
His words deflated Cooper and he sank back into his seat, “Damn you Dranko! How can I leave her?” Cooper’s head came to rest in his hands.
Now, Jake jumped up, “We can’t leave mama! We can’t!” His shrill words, laced with grief as his eyes filled with tears, cut both men to the bone.
Dranko took a step back and his voice calmed, “I know it’s hard, for both of you. But, Elena would want you to both live. She wouldn’t want you to sit around waiting to be taken by the government and put into a prison…or worse.” His eyes pleaded back and forth between Cooper and Jake for understanding.
Before either could respond, loud banging on Dranko’s front door caused both men to look upward to the basement stairs and reflexively reach for the pistols on their hips.
Cooper welcomed the interruption, “Stay here,” he directed Jake. Dranko nodded to Cooper, drawing his .45 caliber pistol to show he understood what he wanted. Dranko barred Cooper with his left arm to prevent him from going first. Cooper drew his own pistol and they began ascending the stairs. Cooper’s body tensed, as his mind raced trying to figure out who was at his door. Could someone already be coming for me after the President’s speech? Had some new threat emerged against their neighborhood?
When they reached the main floor, the pounding had not let up. Dranko moved silently to a side window and looked out. He caught Cooper’s gaze and mouthed, “Gus.” Cooper breathed a sigh of relief learning that it was Gus Varela, a lawyer who lived in the neighborhood, and not someone more dangerous.
They both put their guns back in their holsters as Dranko opened the door.
Gus’ face was red and contorted in rage, “Damn you,” he shouted at Cooper as soon as he saw him. Gus tried to bull rush towards Cooper. Dranko quickly overcame his surprise and threw an arm out to bar him.
Cooper welcomed his own anger to push back the confusion Dranko had aroused in him earlier and he moved forward, to put his own face inches from Gus’, “What the hell do you mean, Gus?” Cooper deliberately let scorn drip off his name.
Dranko strained under Gus’ weight to keep the two men apart. “What the hell do I mean? Why the hell did you put all those lies on the Internet?”
Cooper’s rage flushed higher at being called a liar. His arm shot up and caught Gus by the throat, “They aren’t lies you dumb bastard. It’s the truth. Every last word of it!”
Gus choked as he gasped for air. Cooper’s firm grasp prevented him from speaking, but he rasped out, “Le…t… me… g…go!”
Cooper waited until Gus’ face went from crimson to the first shades of purple and then he abruptly released his grip.
Gus gasped for air and would have collapsed to the ground, but for Dranko’s arm catching him, “Breathe in. Take a deep breath, you’ll be fine,” Dranko said.
Cooper stood in front of him, defiantly, and offered no such words of comfort. A minute later, Gus recovered and stood up straight again. He glared at Cooper, but made no effort to close the scant gap between them. “I don’t care if it’s true or not. It’s either lies or its truth we’d all be better off not knowing.”
Cooper stared straight back at him, unyielding, “People deserve the truth!”