Chapter 7 The Emperor's New Clothes

The Harding trip continued to unfold as light broke over New York City. James, his sadly missing brother Richard, and Martha rushed over the turbulent roadways, their goal dubious. Now a monument, the city they formerly ruled was under dispute for control by rival groups. For James the phone buzzed nonstop. He looked at the screen and his face got paler with every warning. He said, skimming headlines claiming his family dead, "It's everywhere." Richard looked kindly at him while he drove. "James, we were aware of this approaching.

Usually, reality tracks down a road." James's political aide at last overcome as they negotiated the maze of alarms and smoke. "Mr. Harding, sir, let me say something. right now. The media is hanging over us. James closed his eyes to feel the weight of his collapsing world. "What do they have awareness of?" The voice of the lawyer broke under strain. "Everything, sir." Someone leaked papers straight linking you to Alex's activities. Records on money, meeting notes, even video footage. It's... quite bad. The SUV screamed to a stop outside a boring hotel. Richard led them inside via administrative lifts and back passages to avoid location. James sank into a seat in a room, his head in his hand.

"How?" he said in a whisper. "Where could everything veer off-track wrong?" Richard moved the room, his alert action clearly showing his tactical training. James, it was like a house of cards always. You wouldn't see it, exactly. James watched in fear as the television came to life and his political career fell apart right in front of him. As the reporters filled City Hall's steps, their voices were a chorus of accusations. "Senator Harding engaged in the drug empire his son created!" "Shocking proof shows years of cover-up and corruption!"

"As inquiries start, demands for quick resignation!" James's phone then rang once more. Alarms apparent in her voice, his mission chief's. "Sir, we're running out of help. The party initiative is gathering to review choices; the lead representative just dropped his support." "Alternatives?" James snarled. You mean how to free me? "Sir, I have to quit. Although I sorry, I am not involved with this. Mr., great luck! Harding". James was left in stunned quiet when the line cut off. Hours went by and with every one came fresh findings and absences. Refunds were demanded by donors, long-time friends turned away from one other, and even James's most devoted employees quit.

Richard dumped a stack of newspapers on the table as he returned from a supply run as evening fell. On every front page, James's slide from grace was outlined. Richard continued, his tone sombre: "You want to see this." As James went over the papers, his gut turned over. Financial data suggest that a sophisticated network of phoney companies directed drug money into his campaign accounts. Transcripts showed that Alex had covert talks about "shipments" and "distribution." Usually each of every one of the grainy videos, James was shown with known cartel members, his brand name smile becoming a cursing piece of proof. More to himself than to Richard, James mumbled, "I never implied for it to go this far." "It started very little.

Just minor help here; a visually handicapped eye there. I told myself for Alex's benefit-to protect him." Richard spoke with icy clarity. Additionally, the power? Regarding the money? One could say they were just incentives." James looked nowhere like his brother. "I convinced myself, as Congressperson, I could act all the more fantastic. That the shutdown helped with means." They both sprung at the door bang. Richard pulled a weapon and moved slowly forward. He breathed deeply a couple times then glanced through the window. "It's Sarah," he remarked with clear disbelief in his voice. James's girl in-regulation came in, her face a mask of tiredness and confidence. She spoke of a PC, which she set down silent.

"I, Sarah..."

James began, but he was cut off by a raised hand. "Save it," she stated. "I'm not here for explanations or justification. I'm here in keeping with the knowledge that you are still family despite all. Also, as I need your help to save Alex." Opening the PC, she found a record development. "These come from secret servers owned by Alex. They go into every part of his activity, including James's inclusion." James noticed the blood channel opening from his face. "You will hands me over?" Sarah smiled with a hard edge.

"No.

I shall use this to predict Alex's security. James, though, I have to know everything. There are no more lies and no more deceptive comments. If we save anything from this accident, I would really want to know what I am handling." James thought about minimising his participation and constructing a new narrative briefly. Still, looking at Sarah's eyes, he saw a power he would have regularly loved but feared. He inhaled fully and began to speak. James detailed extended lengths of defilement, deal making, and headstrong vision inadequacy, and Sarah's fingers sped across the console matching his admissions with Alex's data.

Richard watched over the glass and sometimes gave James information he had either tried to ignore or forgotten. Hours passed, and James stopped when the main light of day broke through the blinds. Stripped of the layers of support and self-trickiness he had built over the long run, he felt hollowed out. Sarah closed the computer with a firm snap. She uttered a consistent "Okay." "I think I have everything I need here. James, there is another thing as well. One more bit of the puzzle that defies fit. As she brought out her phone, she showed him a series of transactions that cooled his blood. Said she, "These payments are not from Alex's accounts."

Not known to be part of any cartel are they. James was making payments to you. For whom else would you say you were employed? The room went crazy before James could reply. The door opened and guys poured in equipped. Richard replied right away, dragging Sarah to the ground while shooting started. Heart racing, James dove for cover. James pictured himself gazing down a pistol barrel following the smoke clearance. The wielder hidden behind a veil, but the voice was shockingly realistic. "Hello, James," shouted Elena Vasquez. "We should discuss the future of this business now.

Clearly, your future. James observed Sarah and Richard under control as he looked over the wrecked room. Again the PC lay broken on the ground, its secrets hidden. Elena had bright eyes filled of win. Did you honestly think you could just go? You could let your heart run and get away with it? Friendly, James. You should understand at this moment that retirement cannot exist in our world." She sent signals to her men. "Send them. One of them every single day. Mr., this is the moment. Harding asked where his real loyalty lay. James caught Sarah's eye as they were driven off under gunfire.

In that second he felt a strong will instead of accusation or hate. Whatever came first, he knew, the fate of the Harding family now rested in the hands of the woman he had previously excused as a simple DEA agent. As the door closed behind them, James Harding-a former wealthy, failed politician, and reluctant criminal-was left with an unsure future. For the first time in years, he did, however, have some hope. Should Sarah be even half as creative as Elena Vasquez had assumed, she would be very taken aback. The game seemed from far from done.