Открыть фик целиком в отдельном окне
“I did.”
“Even down to a cellular level?”
Peter blushed. “I needed to be sure, I know it falls outside protocol.”
“No one’s taking you to task Peter, you did a good job and given the circumstances I’m impressed you held up so well. No, this is something else. Your tests proved that there was no evidence of bodies.”
“Yes, Elsigner wouldn’t allow me to investigate further and had the site cordoned off citing problems with the Russian government.”
“I know. How is it possible for a body to be completely destroyed without any genetic signature?”
Peter shook his head. “Actually it’s not possible. Damn.”
“So the bodies’ including Conner’s had to have been removed prior to the explosion.”
“That would be logical, there was a sixteen hour gap from when we left to get Coop to the medical unit to when we assembled the team and went back.”
“Okay stay with me on this. I’ve done a little research into Elsinger’s private affairs, it makes great reading, including a large number of shares in companies such as Diginite and GemCorp.”
“The bastard set us up.”
“But can we prove it?” Matt asked quietly.
“I don’t see how and even if we did who would we report it to?”
“See now, this is where it is complex, we are assuming Diginite and GemCorp are independent private sector companies and are autonomous to their own ends, when there is a distinct possibility they are fronts for Government experiments.”
“You’re beginning to sound like Kelly.”
“Hey I resent that.” Matt smiled, “it’s not as far fetched as you would normally think. A long time ago when I worked in the private sector I got called in by the government to do some profiling for the NID boys. There are a number of legit fronts for agencies around the world including the CIA, so why not GemCorp and Diginite? You investigated a case where people where getting sick because of the rats yes?”
“And?”
“What happened to the Diginite Office?”
“It vanished over night.”
“ And with the aportation experiment, the first case we worked together, what happened to the witnesses?”
“They died or disappeared.”
“And the media were briefed with a well thought-out cover story, yes?”
“Okay but this is all conjecture Matt. If you can show me Elsinger killed Conner I’ll kill him myself.” Peter was calm, far too calm, and it chilled the older man.
“Whoa- easy there Peter. There is a better way.”
“Not for me.”
“Especially for you. Put your listening ears on Peter, this is a dangerous game, and I intend to make sure Elsinger burns in hell, but not from our hands.”
“Okay.” Peter pitched his tone low and scrubbed at his face. He resembled nothing more than a tired little boy badly in need of his bed and a good sleep.
“It’s complicated Peter, but if the NID boys are playing with pseudo-legitimate private-sector companies to continue experiments, as I think they are, then there are only a couple of people in the NID who hold that kind of power. If that is the case and I can prove it, I’ll take the matter to a friend of mine in Washington.”
“Who?”
“Senator Joel McKinley.”
“McKinley. He’s on the Presidential staff.”
“Yes I know, and I am sure that despite the big picture, the President will be very unhappy this nest is still alive and well, given that two years ago they vowed it had been disbanded. Mostly this is renegade stuff and the lines of responsibility are muddy with conglomerates. However, Elsinger isn’t big enough or smart enough to play this game.”
“And you are?”
“Oh yes, there’s a lot even Frank doesn’t know about me Peter. Let’s say he’s in for a very rude awakening.”
“What do you need from me?”
“At the moment nothing. I expect Elsinger to play dirty pool and as one of the few witnesses to the entire fiasco, and under the judiciary of privilege you’re given as the grieving spouse, I suspect that Frank will try to keep you on at the OSIR. For no other reason than to keep you silent.”
“Grieving spouse?” Peter looked tired.
“The investigating committee would be very sympathetic. Besides while you’re at the OSIR it will be in Frank’s best interests to keep you safe. In the academic community your life expectancy could be fairly short.”
“He wouldn’t.”
“No he wouldn’t but his minders would without compunction. So for the moment, rant and rave but stay put. Let him think he’s won and give me time to nail the sonofabitch.”
“Your serious aren’t you?”
“Deadly. Look I’ve said it before- we were never close, but I do consider you my friend and Elsinger has manipulated you and Conner for too long. It’s time to, if nothing else,” Matt reached across the table and put his hand on Peter’s arm, “to give you closure.”
“What if I really don’t care Matt? What happens then?”
“Then care about those who you’ll leave behind. If you have nothing to lose take the bastard with you.”
Peter nodded. “Why are you doing this?”
“I’m not sure, guess cause my kid would kill me if I let them hurt you anymore, and Cassie is seventeen now.”
“Nice cover but I don’t buy it.”
“No I guessed you wouldn’t. The truth is Peter I can’t stand to see this happen to you, call me protective, call me insane, whatever, but this is something I have to do before I leave the OSIR. There are some good people there, Peter, people who don’t deserve to be treated like you were. Made to live in silence because you were afraid that Elsinger would distort the love you and Conner had for each other to suit his own ends, it goes against the grain.”
“Thank you.” There was a choked sob behind the words.
“Don’t thank me yet. But you do need to look after yourself, you need to eat and sleep if nothing else. And let Mrs. Mac coddle you a bit, you could do with it.”
“I don’t think I can drive Matt, would you mind?” Peter answered around his third beer.
Praegers eyes lit up as Peter handed him across the keys to the Corvette. “You’re kidding me right?”
“No. They still painting your place?”
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