Page 4 of The Firefighter's Fate

“But first I must compliment you. I have to say, your office has spectacular views over the city.”

“I’m a lucky man,” he replies, quickly pivoting. “It’s good to look over the people I represent. This space allows me to truly understand where I’ve come from and who I look out for. The people elected me. I am here to serve them as their senator.”

“Yes,” I say. “The office is nice.”

Joseph nods patronizingly and winks at the camera. He’s thinking I’m a shit interviewer – chatting about how nice his office is...

“It is nice, Ember. Thank you for the compliment.”

Time to go in for the kill.

“It must be a very nice office to work in,” I remark. “It must also be expensive, but you can easily afford it, can’t you? I wouldn’t think it’d be too hard for you, especially with all the money you’ve received from your... extracurricular activities.”

Senator Joseph Wilson blinks once. Twice.

He’s a wily operator, so it doesn’t take long for him to realize what’s going on here.

And of the trap he’s fallen into.

“What money?” he asks innocently enough. He’s stalling.

“Well, you certainly can’t afford an office like this on a meager senator’s salary,” I reply calmly. “You don’t have to be a political genius to figure that out. No, you must be getting the honey on the side, correct? An extra, hidden source of income not related to serving the voters who elected you? Something outside what’s allowed ethically?”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Ember.”

“I have an entire list of allegations of you doing dodgy dealings in my possession with me today, senator Wilson, and I must say that this list of wrongdoings is very long. I can show you, if you like. Maybe that’ll reignite your memory.”

To demonstrate, I pull out the physical list from my bag and place it on my lap. It is very long. It practically reaches my ankles. I have to say, it has a lovely dramatic effect.

The senator’s eyes widen merely a fraction at the sight of the allegations against him – the only outward display of his feelings toward the list.

But he’s ever the professional. He composes himself and instantly rebuts...

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replies robotically.

Well done, he knows what to say under pressure.

I didn’t think he’d be an easy target.

But I’m not finished yet...

“Let’s go through the list,” I say before I begin to rattle them off. “Bribery, embezzlement, nepotism with your own son working here in your office. Insider trading. I could go on and on. That is one hell of a list, senator...”

“And it’s all completely untrue,” he replies. “I would like you to know every single word you’ve uttered from your mouth is defamatory and I will be talking to my lawyers...”

“We’ve done our research,” I say. “We’ve got evidence for every single one of those allegations. We’re confident, and we’re certain the truth will come out if examined. But I want you to have the first word here today, so what do you say to this list? What’s your reaction, senator?”

“No comment.”

The senator is firmer now. His eyes sparkle with anger and defiance. His big political brain is being put to quick use. He’s thinking through the next moments. He’s never been confronted with anything like this, and certainly not from some young female reporter who was merely meant to write a puff piece about his impressive background. He didn’t expect this today.

His crimes have caught up to bite him on the ass...

And it’s me who’s caught him in the act.

“Where are you getting this money from?” I ask, but I don’t need to. We know... criminal gangs... foreign governments... The senator has got his blood money from a wide range of illegal sponsors, and my team and I have the receipts. “How are you so rich on a senator’s salary?”

“No comment.”

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