There was a long pause. “That’s quite the accusation. If you could come by the Detroit office—”

“Eight minutes, thirty seconds. Keep an eye on your email.” I hung up and smiled grimly. “Kiyoko, would you please email one of those clips to [email protected]? Something short and incriminating, if possible. We’re on a tight schedule.”

“What if Steinkamp’s involved?” asked Charles.

“Not everyone is out to get us.” ‹Talulah, how long would it take you to find out who’s in charge of the bombing operation and get their contact number to Agent Steinkamp?›

‹On it.›

“The email has been sent,” said Kiyoko.

“Thank you. Can you override the gate controls and make sure nobody else tries to open our front door?”

“I’ve been relaying our conversation to Babs Palmer. She and I will ensure that New Millennium remains protected.”

“Excellent.” I sagged against a support pillar and took Lena’s hand. “Now we wait.”

CONSPIRACY IN THE CAPITAL: SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY ARRESTED

The FBI arrested Secretary of Homeland Security Lawrence McGinley yesterday at 2:45 p.m. McGinley is accused of orchestrating a series of murders earlier this month in California, Oklahoma, Michigan, and New York. He allegedly ordered the assassination of Senator Alexander Keeler, chairman of the Joint Committee on Magical Security, as well as a prison guard named Oscar Franklin, Jr.

This comes immediately following the resignation of Thomas M. Hayes, Commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard. Hayes has confessed to ordering an attack on a group of sirens off the Atlantic Coast. He claims McGinley blackmailed him, but says he was unaware of the full extent of the Secretary’s plans.

Details of those plans remain unknown at this time, though McGinley is believed by many to have had a role in an attempted terrorist attack at the New Millennium site in Las Vegas, Nevada.

At least one of McGinley’s would-be terrorists remains at large. Kiyoko Itô, who previously served as one of McGinley’s assistants, is said to have taken refuge within New Millennium. This contradicts earlier accounts that Itô had been murdered in Washington, D.C.

A spokesperson for the FBI says they are continuing to review the evidence, and to question those in custody. They expect to issue a more detailed statement within the hour. An anonymous source within the FBI suggests this statement will implicate high-ranking figures from several other countries in what looks to have been an international conspiracy.

Chapter 22

I KNOCKED ON THE door and waited. This was a run-down neighborhood, and the small house was in dire need of repair. The shingles were rotting away, one of the windows was boarded over, and the lawn was an overgrown mess. How long had it been since this family could afford the upkeep on their home?

“They might not be home.” Nidhi stood behind me.