Ethan got up off the bench.
‘So that’s it then?’ Jarvis asked. ‘You just quit?’
‘I quit once before,’ Ethan pointed out. ‘Lopez was the one who convinced me to come back in and now her life’s hanging by a thread in a hospital in DC while I’m back here contemplating apprehending a bunch of low — life bail jumpers.’
‘Then come back to DC,’ Jarvis said, standing as he did so. ‘Come back and start doing a proper job. The DIA wants you, hell the President still wants you on this case. He’s as keen as anybody to achieve something against Majestic Twelve before his second term is up. Are you really going to let Nicola’s courage and sacrifice be for nothing?’
‘Don’t use her name like that,’ Ethan snapped. ‘Nicola was reluctant to work for the DIA because she got tired of being crapped on by the government.’
‘Well, now is your opportunity to go over their heads.’
Ethan frowned. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
Jarvis turned and looked over his shoulder. Ethan glanced in the indicated direction, and saw Hannah Ford waiting beside a black limousine.
‘Fact is, you’ve been exposed to so many high — level classified projects that the President has cleared you COSMIC, as well as Nicola when she recovers.’
‘She might not,’ Ethan pointed out. ‘Security clearances don’t matter much to people when they’re dead.’
‘She’s not dead yet,’ Jarvis countered, ‘and neither are you. You’re blaming yourself for what’s happened to Nicola, but the people who put her in that hospital are still in power Ethan, are probably already embarking on their next crusade for money and influence, and every single person who quits in this battle against their corruption is a victory for them.’
Ethan saw Hannah standing with her arms folded, the brisk wind rippling through her long auburn hair as she squinted into the afternoon sun from across the parking lot.
‘Hannah hasn’t been arrested or charged?’
‘Presidential veto,’ Jarvis replied. ‘Hannah doesn’t work for the FBI anymore and nor does her partner, Vaughn. They’re DIA now, special clearances all completed, non — disclosure agreements signed. We’re assembling a team, Ethan. After what happened here, the President has recognized the need for a larger and more comprehensive unit to combat the new technologies that are landing in the hands of the enemies of the United States. Majestic Twelve is the enemy within, and he wants them rooted out one by one and brought to justice or…’
Ethan watched Jarvis for a long moment and realized the veiled threat against the members of MJ–12. Root them out, or eliminate them.
‘He’d go that far?’
Jarvis shrugged. ‘MJ–12 has repeatedly gone that far and further to get what it wants. Fight fire with fire, is the President’s personal view on this. We have a Presidential Executive Order behind us, Ethan. We’re going to war against Majestic Twelve. Are you with us, or not?’
Ethan looked again at Hannah Ford as she waited patiently beside the limousine, and then he made up his mind.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dean Crawford is the author of eighteen novels, including the internationally published series of thrillers featuring Ethan Warner, a former United States Marine now employed by a government agency tasked with investigating unusual scientific phenomena. The novels have been Sunday Times paperback best-sellers and have gained the interest of major Hollywood production studios. He is also the enthusiastic author of many independently published Science Fiction novels.