Chapter 90 New Threat
On the screens, more videos played. More evidence. Financial records showing billions in stolen money, Communications proving conspiracy, and photos of meetings that were never supposed to exist.
And then a new feed appeared.
A face Ariella didn’t recognize. A man in his sixties probably, Speaking from what looked like a government office.
“My name is Richard Sullivan,” the man said. “For thirty-seven years, I’ve worked as a cleaner for the network you’re learning about, I’ve killed forty-three people on their orders, I’m the one who sent the files to the Frosts.”
The crowd went silent.
“I’m coming forward because I have a daughter,” Sullivan continued. “She’s eight years old. And I don’t want her growing up in a world where monsters like me can kill with impunity. So I’m confessing all of it, Every death, Every cover-up, Every order I followed.”
He held up documents.
“These are kill orders. Signed by the people you’ve seen in the videos, Proof of premeditated murder. I’m also releasing locations of bodies that were never found, evidence that was buried, and names of other cleaners that are still active.”
Behind him, federal agents appeared. Handcuffing him while Reading him his rights.
“I’m going to prison,” Sullivan said as they led him away. “But at least I’ll go knowing I finally did one good thing. I finally told the truth.”
The feed cut.
Ariella couldn’t breathe. A cleaner…an actual assassin had just confessed on live television. Had corroborated everything they’d said.
The police surrounding them were backing away now, some looking sick, some looking angry. One pulled out his phone and started recording the screens himself.
“This is real,” someone in the crowd said. “Oh my God, this is all real.”
Ariella’s phone exploded with notifications. News outlets requesting interviews. Senators releasing statements. The Attorney General announcing an emergency press conference.
On the screens, talking heads were already analyzing, Some defending the accused, Some demanding investigations, The spin had begun.
But so had something else.
Protests. Spontaneous demonstrations erupting in cities across the country. People demanding accountability, and justice.
The crowd in Times Square started chanting: “Justice! Justice! Justice!”
Elena started crying from the noise, the chaos was becoming too much. Ariella held her close, trying to provide calm in the middle of the storm they’d created.
Aiden’s phone rang. He answered on speaker.
A voice. Digitally distorted, Different from Sullivan and Colder.
“Impressive show, Mr. Frost. You’ve caused quite a stir.”
“Who is this?”
“Someone you haven’t seen on your videos. Someone who’s been very, very careful to stay hidden, But I’m calling to tell you: this isn’t over. Sullivan was middle management. The network is deeper than you know, and while you’re celebrating your victory…”
A pause.
“…we’re preparing our response. The Omega Event has been authorized, by this time tomorrow, two thousand people will be dead. Plane crashes, Building collapses, Car accidents, all the loose ends, Including everyone who came forward today. Including Dr. Brennan, Mr. Torres, Ms. Liu and everyone else who thought they were safe because they spoke publicly.”
“You can’t kill two thousand people without…”
“Without what? Evidence? We’ve done it before. We’ll do it again. And you…you and your family will be the first, not today, not tomorrow, but soon. When you think you’re safe. When you’ve let your guard down. We’ll be there.”
“We have protection…”
“You have General Holt and twelve ex-military. We have resources you can’t imagine, Money, Power, and Patience. This is a war you cannot win.”
“Then why are you calling?”
“To offer terms. One last time. You release a statement. Say the videos were deepfakes, Blame Sullivan…he’s already confessed to being a killer, no one will question if he fabricated evidence, You disappear and We let you live. You keep your daughter, and your mother lives. Everyone walks away.”
“And the people you’ve killed?”
“Ancient history, move on.”
Ariella grabbed the phone. “Never. We will never stop. Even if you kill us, those files are distributed. Encrypted. Timed releases for years. You can’t stop what we started.”
“We’ll see about that.” The voice turned pleasant. “Enjoy your moment, Mrs. Frost. It’s the last good one you’ll have.”
The line went dead.
Holt appeared at their side. “We need to move. Now, That call was traced to a location six blocks away, They’re close.”
But before they could move, the crowd surged. Protecting them, Surrounding them. Thousands of ordinary people forming a human shield.
“You’re not taking them!” someone shouted.
“We won’t let you silence them!”
The police looked uncertain and overwhelmed at the same time.
And in that moment, Ariella understood: they’d won something today. Not the war, not safety, but they’d won belief.
The People believed them, And that was more powerful than any protection Holt could provide.
“Let’s go,” Aiden said quietly, taking her hand.
They walked through the crowd with People touching their shoulders. Saying “thank you” and “stay strong” and “we believe you.”
Into a waiting vehicle. Elena finally calmed down and the broadcast was still running. The world was still watching.
And somewhere, the network was gathering, preparing their final move.
But this time, they weren’t fighting in the shadows, the whole world was watching.