“Order! Order! Mr. Grant, do you have any proof of your statements?” the judge asked.
“Yes, I do. There is a small cabin just outside of Carrollton, Ohio. It belonged to me. Inside you’ll find a desk and in the bottom drawer is a journal. The journal belonged to a Dr. Quinn Wyatt. In it you’ll find all the evidence you need of who planned the attacks.”
Mike turned around and looked at Agent Sullivan. Ben was smiling.
“In light of these recent events I move that we take a recess. I would like both counselors to join me in my chambers,” the judge said.
Mike’s attorney disappeared and an officer came and escorted Mike out of the courtroom. Before Mike left Ben grabbed his arm.
“What changed your mind?” Ben asked.
“My son.”
***
Once the authorities confirmed the journal was at Mike’s cabin a new investigation was launched. Agent Sullivan was hailed for his thoroughness and diligence, and Mike was told that he would be set free.
Up until his release Mike was allowed to see visitors. This time he chose to see two.
“Mike,” Katie said, wrapping him in a hug.
Sean was by her side. He gave Mike a slight smile.
“I can’t believe you’re alive. All of this is… crazy,” Katie said.
“How did you know I was here?”
“The trial was on the news. The government was comparing catching you to catching Osama bin Laden.”
“Except I turned myself in.”
Katie gave him another hug and the three of them sat down.
“How have you been holding up? How are Mary and her sisters?” Mike asked.
“We’ve been okay. Mary and the girls have been staying with us. My company is finally getting back up and running. We’re going to be moving out to California in a few weeks so I can start heading up the West Coast division. It’ll be a nice fresh start.”
“That’s good.”
Katie grabbed Mike’s hands.
“Mike, I… We’re alive because of you. What you’ve been through, the price you paid… It’s not something I can ever repay. I am in your debt for the rest of my life.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. If you ever need anything, and I mean anything, it’s yours.”
“Thank you.”
***
Mike was given his personal effects when he was released. And when he walked outside Dr. Wyatt was waiting for him.
“I’m surprised you’re not locked up yet,” Mike said.
“They cleared me on a few conditions.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Mike, I can’t fix what’s already been broken. We both know that, but the reason I wanted to come find you was because I want to prevent these types of disasters from happening again.”
“People don’t want to change. They just want things to be back to the way they were.”
“Not everyone.”
Mike cocked his head to the side.
“What do you mean?” Mike asked.
“As part of the terms of my ‘pardon’ I’ve been asked to be a part of a new agency that would be in charge of preventing these types of attacks and disasters from happening again. I want you to be a part of it.”
“And why should I trust you?”
“How about me?” Sam said.
Mike turned around and the two men smiled and embraced each other in a hug.
“It’s good to see you, Mike.”
“You too, Sam.”
“Mike,” Dr. Wyatt said, “you’re not the only man who wants to work off the debt of death that we accumulated during the blackout.”
“So what do you say?” Sam asked.
Mike pulled out the silver pocket watch. He flipped open the cover and inside was a picture of his family.
“When do we start?”
Thank you for reading my story!
Writing has been a major driving force in my life and it is unbelievably satisfying to know that you took the time to explore my world. I am grateful and eagerly await your feedback. As an author, Amazon reviews can have a huge impact on my livelihood. So if you enjoyed the story please leave a review letting me know. Your input matters to me and allows me to continue writing stories that will thrill and excite.
I would love if you could take a moment to leave a spoiler free review: Click here to a review on Amazon!
Thank you once again. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Until next time,
James Hunt
No Power: EMP Post Apocalyptic Fiction Thriller Super Boxset Page 153
