Troy continued to watch.The recording was a reporter’s voice overlaying video clips. In graphic detail, the film showed the guards conspiring to make the films and also described every heinous act he went through, from moving drugs to multiple beatings and strip searches—and every film he made. It identified all the arrested or dead based upon his work.
He was stunned to learn one of the women was not a prisoner, but a Horizon doctor caught up in the case.It also verified his suspicion that the two men were not prisoners but the same guards talking about him.
Bile began to rise in his throat as the videos continued to play. And there it was; it went on for seventy-three minutes: the four corrections officers and Clay Jenner. In foggy gray, he saw them abuse and attempt to destroy him. Denying them their desires, he refused to give them the satisfaction of his submission. He fought, even after they stimulated his body’s normal reflexes. He broke his wrists as he used the chains for leverage and used his body to fight them. He saw the blow that broke his back. Despite being paralyzed, he antagonized Jenner. The blow to his jaw rendered him unable to talk, but he never gave in.
The lockdown alarm went off, and two guards dropped him to the floor and redressed him. Troy bit the inside of his cheek as Jenner raised his foot and stomped his chest twice. His body begin to fail.How close did they come to killing me?
Wes Crockett and members of Bravo Team posing as guards found him. Troy’s hand covered his lips at the sight of Wes Crockett’s devastated face as he loaded him into an ambulance. Thankfully, Wes and he spoke about that moment while he was in Virginia.
The video included a clip from Horizon Hospital and went on to explain his impending surgery, including a clip taken from the Virginia airstrip of him boarding a helo to Dulles. The final video showed Ian accepting the Presidential Medal for Freedom on his behalf for a meritorious contribution to the security of the United States.
A new realization began to assault him. His head pounded. His chest wanted to explode. His hands shook. His legs trembled. Everything that happened to him was now public. His tight reins of control had been stripped away.
He leaned back in his chair, feeling…he had no idea how to feel.What am I going to do? How can I face the employees? How can they believe in me? How can I do my job when everybody is twittering about the films? What am I going to tell my sisters, their husbands, and my mother? I have no cover, no choices, and no place to run.
He walked into his private restroom to brush his teeth and wash up. He stared into the mirror. The man who stared back was a stranger.
A feeling came from deep within. “Time to stop running. Time to take your life back.”
* * *
“I’ll killhim if he hurts himself,” Martin said as he left the office.
“Call tech and maintenance; we need to override the lockdown,” Kip said to
Trask. “What did he say before he locked you out?”
“Nothing. I heard him take a deep breath, and he said, ‘Let’s go.’ I had my briefcase and his. He slammed the door behind me. I’m sorry. I…” Trask worried.
“You did nothing wrong.” Kip frowned. “Come on.”
* * *
Troy returned to his desk,where he rested his hands on his knees, palms up.Closing his eyes, he inhaled and held the breath. Visualizing each body part, he willed himself to relax.
“Almighty God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, come to my help and deliver me from this difficulty that besets me. I believe, Lord, that all trials are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from me fear, anxiety, and distress. Help me face and endure my difficulty with faith, courage, and wisdom. May this trial bring me closer to You, for You are my rock and refuge, my comfort and hope, my delight and joy. I trust in Your love and compassion. Blessed is Your name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.”
He finished the prayer his mom prayed over him when he awakened from his coma with another deep breath. When his cellphone began to vibrate in his pocket, he frowned and shook his head. “I’m fine. Leave me alone.”
“Troy, open the door. Let me in. You don’t have to do this on your own,” Martin pleaded.
“I need some space.” Troy ended the call, and his cell rang again. Each one of his colleagues attempted to lure him out. He figured they were trying to break the circuit to the lock. He also knew as long as he answered, they wouldn’t try blowing up the door.
“You’re a movie star aren’t you, Greece?” the caller asked.
“I’m tired of this shit. What do you want?” Troy angered.
“We’re on the path to destroy the great Troy Bremen, righter of wrongs. Your crash and burn will bring Gwenny back where she belongs.”
“Gwen IS NOT going anywhere. And you really thought in your pea brain that releasing what happened to me is going to destroy me?” he tried to bait him.
“Nice try, Greece. I will admit watching you was a turn-on. But you think people will respect you after making those films? The world will be disgusted, and Gwenny, she’ll be either revolted or afraid of you.”
Troy shook his head. “Stop being a coward in the shadows. Who are you and what do you want from Gwen and me?”
“Your body and soul—and dear sweet Gwenny’s. I won’t miss my turn again,” the caller said. The “dear sweet Gwenny” was said sarcastically.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. Tell me what Gwen did that has you seeking revenge.”