Chapter 20

Brandt hated the office. It had the design of a sleazy, aging politician trying to show off their status. The wooden paneling along the walls from which classic paintings of various origins hung. To match the murky atmosphere, a cherry-brown wooden desk with matching tables and furniture attempted to symbolize the man’s power and responsibility. It reminded Brandt of someone with a total disregard for those underneath him on the chain. Someone who had long forgotten their roots. A man who would spend hours behind closed doors, making handshake deals on how to preserve his power and screw over the ninety-nine percent.

Brandt indeed loathed Assistant Director Charles Hurst. A balding man pushing sixty that spent most of his days flaunting his arrogance rather than the decades of wisdom that should’ve been exhibited. A relic of years gone and completely ignorant of modernization. Someone had to have liked him, but it sure wasn’t anyone in this building. The fact that he didn’t have a computer and made his secretary do all of his typing for him was everyone’s first clue. Still, every big decision needed to be presented to him.

Brandt figured this meeting to be a lost cause, but he had to at least try. Dan stood next to him in front of the long executive-style desk as if waiting to be reprimanded.

Hurst kept looking down at a piece of paper on his desk when Brandt and Dan entered. Not once looking up in acknowledgement until both stood side by side immediately before him. He was very unenthusiastic in his speech, especially when he didn’t personally set up the meeting. His eyes slowly moved upward toward his visitors. “Gentlemen. What have you brought me?”

Brandt could barely hide his irritation at the question. What have I brought you? What do you want, a monte Cristo and a two-olive martini on a silver platter? You uninspired son of a bitch. He held his tongue while Dan, already sensing the irritability of Brandt, decided to talk first.

“Sir. We have new information regarding Andrew Simmons that we believe you should hear. First—”

“Stop.” Hurst interrupted, not even showing signs of interest or respect. “The Simmons case is on hold. Word is coming down that all efforts need to be directed toward the situation with the President. Internally they are considering this an act of terrorism. I’ll be announcing to all agents within the hour.”

“Sir. We believe that the two cases may be linked by the same actors of terrorism.”

The continued dialog had made Hurst annoyed. “Are you telling me that this computer nerd rose from his grave, walked his bony ass over to Maryland, infiltrated Joint Base Andrews, and sabotaged Air Force One?”

There was a fury in Brandt’s eyes. You ignorant, sorry sack of shit. The words he so wanted to speak were silenced by Dan nudging him with his foot. Hurst sensed the fury like a bloodhound, and gave Brandt a glare as if to say, try it before turning his focus back onto Dan.

Dan drew in a deep breath. “Sir, th—”

Brandt put his hand on Dan’s shoulder, interrupting what he was about to say. He was fed up with going around in circles and decided to get straight to the point. “I think this is something that we all need to take very seriously. If there’s even the slightest possibility that these things are connected, isn’t it worth the proper attention? I mean, what would congress say if we didn’t explore every potential lead?”

Hurst went from annoyed to visibly upset. “Are you threatening me with this? I’ll have your ass out on the streets by lunchtime if you want to waste my time with nonsense.”

“No, sir. I simply want you to consider what we have to say as viable options.”

Hurst scoffed. “Alright, Fox Mulder, you have five minutes to explain what I need to hear.”

Brandt shrugged off the obvious jab by depicting him as a persistent FBI agent conspiracy theorist from the X-Files. At least he finally had the opportunity to speak to Hurst about his findings. He told Hurst everything that he and the STB had come across regarding Avery, the quantum computer, Nyx, Tremor, leading into the recent events in the news with automated vehicles and markets.

Hurst rubbed his forehead, swiping his hand over his bald scalp. “Alright. So, you want me to entertain the idea that a computer is acting on its own free will, purposefully damaging the world economy, endangering lives, hired some goons on the internet, and personally targeted Air Force One? Keep in mind that the hangar in which the president’s plane resides might be the most well-guarded structure outside of the White House. Does that just about summarize it for you? Anything else you want to tell me? Maybe some leprechauns planning a heist to steal the gold in our federal reserves?”

Brandt fought hard to not reach across the table and give the man a knock upside his head. It would’ve been satisfying and justified for his ignorance. He calmed himself and then spoke. “Yes, that is the running theory with us and the STB.”

“Theory. Theory. So, no evidence to back up any of the bullshit that just spewed from your mouth.”

“There is evidence. It’s in the data being recovered by the STB.”

“Agent Brandt. Has it occurred to you that maybe those hobbyists in the STB are leading you along? They want their job security and will push a narrative if it fits their scope. Unlike you, I am not in the habit of chasing fantasies. A piece of equipment will not run amok while it’s heating my food.”

“Perhaps it would if you had ever even used a computer.”

“You watch your tone.” Hurst’s tolerance was nearing its end, as was Brandt’s. “From this moment forward, we are no longer involved with this case. I will be personally handing it off to Tarrytown PD. They can figure out what to do with it. They can figure out what to do with some dead nerd and his computer.”

Brandt had reached the end of his tolerance. “How about you get off of your balding fat ass and learn what investigations in the twenty-first century look like?”

Dan tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Brandt was just warming up. “You sit in this office and have everything catered to you like an infant. Completely ignorant of anything outside of your realm of understanding. Which I have to say is not that difficult. I don’t know whose dick you sucked to get this job, but it would be beneficial for everyone in the building that you actually learn your job instead of flaunting power that you have no understanding of.”

Hurst moved out of his chair, leaning forward with both hands on the desk. “Alright, you mother f—”

The strike from Brandt’s fist had almost created a shockwave throughout the room as it impacted the side of Hurst’s jaw, sending him flying back into his chair.

Dan was stunned in amazement and disbelief but also rooting for Brandt in the depths of his mind. It had been too long since someone had put Hurst in his place, and Brandt would secretly be labeled a hero among his colleagues. If career suicide had paved the way for progress, this was the time that it happened.

Brandt said nothing as he turned and walked out of the office, through the lobby, and to his car.