“Only half?” That wasn’t making Ewen feel any better. It only took one random with a gun…
“The other half scattered like roaches when the lights came on.” Lamont’s hand stroked through Ewen’s hair. “But they’ll turn up eventually. They always do.”
Ewen let out a long breath, forcing himself to relax, which was another term that always seemed weird to him, but it worked. Keeping his breathing slow and deep, in and out, he took in Lamont’s scent, sensing through their bond how proud Lamont was of him…and how protective. “You know I said I wasn’t doing interviews.”
“I know.”
“So why doeseveryonekeep calling?”
“Because you wrote the story of the year andeveryonewants a piece of you.” Lamont kissed the top of his head. “They’ll give up eventually. Did you want to watch the news? We’ve got cable.”
“I suppose we’d better see what people are saying.” Although a big part of Ewen wanted to hide under the blankets, but then he always felt like that when a story of his went live.
There was a lot of news, and a lot of outlets were covering Ewen’s article, both in Europe, in the US, and even in places like Australia. Ewen and Lamont spent Monday and most of Tuesday eating takeout and flipping between different news channels, catching the updates as fast as they were going live.
CNN was running updates every hour, bringing in military experts to analyze the armor specifications. MSNOW interviewed veterans who’d served with the forty-three soldiers killed by faulty equipment. Fox News tried spinning the whole thing as some kind of conspiracy before public outrage forced them to shift focus to Hardline’s corporate wrongdoing.
The German coverage was more measured but no less damning. Der Spiegel ran a special evening broadcast with Klaus Brenner himself walking viewers through the evidence. The Guardian published a companion piece about the UK’s own defense contractor oversight failures. Le Monde connected Hardline’s corruption to broader patterns in the military-industrial complex.
“Look at that.” Ewen pointed at the CNN ribbon scrolling across the bottom of the screen, late Monday afternoon. BREAKING: Congressional Hearings Announced for Hardline Defense Scandal.
“They really didn’t have any choice with all the outcry this business is causing.” Lamont refilled Ewen’s coffee mug. “Can you imagine the number of phone calls that would’ve been going on since your article broke? There’ll be a lot of people looking to cover their asses.”
“Hmm, public pressure is working.” Ewen watched Senator Channing - one of the politicians he’d named in the article - issue a carefully worded statement condemning Hardline while conveniently ignoring her own involvement. “She’s trying to get ahead of it.”
Lamont laughed. “I wonder if she knows the FBI already has her financial records.”
The best moment came on Tuesday morning when Ewen was eating toast in bed. He was scrolling the internet looking for a new phone. He couldn’t keep having Lamont take his calls, although it was really peaceful not having to respond to anyone. Lamont had the German news playing in the background.
“Ewen.”
Something in Lamont’s voice made him look up.
“Winters has been arrested.”
Ewen nearly choked on his toast. “He what?”
Lamont turned up the volume. The anchor was describing FBI raids at the Department of Defense, using words like “sealed indictments,” and “multiple arrests.” A photo of Assistant Deputy Director Martin Winters flashed on screen - the same smug bureaucrat who totally devalued soldiers’ lives to save money - now being escorted out of his office in handcuffs.
“They got him,” Ewen whispered, tears prickling his eyes. “They actually got him. That one’s for you, Cortesi.”
“I am so damn glad we have Redford on our side.” Lamont was grinning with pride. “That is one man who doesn’t mess around.”
Ewen put his toast down and quickly swiped at his eyes. He should be celebrating - Winter’s arrest was a huge deal - and yet no number of arrests was going to bring back the people killedbecause of corporate greed. He got held in a basement, and yes, he could’ve died, too. But Cortesi did die. So did Ewen’s brave contact in Cairo, and that’s without the forty-odd soldiers Ewen proved had died in faulty vehicles. What’s worse is that there could’ve been so many others, and yet Ewen would likely never know.
“Hey.” The mattress dipped as Lamont sat beside him, reaching for his hand. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” Ewen’s voice came out rough, and he coughed. “Yeah, I just...it’s real. All this shit is actually happening.”
“It’s happening because of you.” Lamont hugged him. “You did this. We might never know how many, but you saved lives today. There is no way any government can hide this under a rug. Positive changes will have to be made.”
The good news kept rolling through the day. Ewen watched Hardline Defense’s stock price plummet in real-time on the business news ticker. By the close of trading on Tuesday the price was down seventy-three percent and still falling. “How long until they declare bankruptcy, do you think?”
“Two weeks. Maybe three if they’re stubborn.” Lamont changed the channel to BBC World News, where a panel of experts was dissecting the implications for international defense contracting. “Either way, they’re finished.”
Leaning back against the pillows Ewen knew he should have been over the moon. The article, and the work behind it, were the biggest things he’d achieved in his entire career. It was what any journalist aspired to and, with Lamont’s help, he’d done it. But instead of wanting to celebrate, Ewen just felt tired and ready to move on. “When can we leave for Santorini, do you think?”
“Whenever you want.” Lamont pulled out his phone and checked his messages. “Redford says we’re clear to go wherever. He might need us for depositions later, but he’s already said that won’t be for months.”