Page 44 of Maverick

The older children survived on their own, creating fake identifications and believable histories, finding jobs, homes, and new lives for themselves. After all, they were geniuses.

“We’re still missing some,” said Katelyn, “but it appears that most of these kids are doing alright. Many are over eighteen now and surviving on their own, working at jobs they enjoy, and providing for themselves. We’ve given them contact information for us should they need anything.”

“Those in foster care are being visited by Keith, Ashley, and Jane to ensure their health is good. If they need to be removed from the system, we’ll bring them here,” said Chelsea. “I never in a million years thought we would find all those children.”

“I have to be honest,” frowned Cam. “Neither did I. It was a risk, but your message was unbelievably successful. There still may be some who were transported to other countries, sold, even killed, but without a complete list, we won’t know that for sure.”

“How do we get a list?” asked Luke.

“That’s the hundred-thousand-dollar question. No one seems to have a complete list, even Bruloni.”

“Speaking of,” said Tanner, joining the group. “I found his records, or at least some of them.”

“I’m not going to like this, am I?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“He’s American born and raised?” questioned Hex.

“Born and raised. Born in Brooklyn, attended school there. Went to NYU, then Columbia for his master’s program. Served ten years in the Foreign Service Corps, came back to the states, and went to work with the agency. Worked his way up to several director-level positions, finally being appointed deputy director.”

“That’s it?” frowned Eric.

“No. That’s not it. His grandfather was a top official for Mussolini and best friends with Hitler. He was killed at the end of the war, but his father, then a sixteen-year-old impressionable young man, emigrated to the U.S. where he took up the cause for his grandfather.”

“You couldn’t have led with that?” frowned Luke.

“The story is more exciting this way. Antonio Fiorizoni traveled around the country visiting secret meetings of fascist groups and hidden Nazi parties.”

“Wait, wait. Fiorizoni? They changed their son’s name,” said Cam.

“They legally changed his name at birth. They wanted to be sure that no one would come after him because of his father or grandfather. The problem is Enzo was as impressionable as his father. Secretly, he was meeting with the same people and groups as his father and grandfather had. On all of his documents, he was listed as born to an unwed mother.

“He was born on November 22, 1963. The day Kennedy was killed. That day, his father was not present at the hospital. Much of what his father talked about was his apparent displeasure with Kennedy and his policies, including how he treated Castro and the Cuban government.”

“Are you suggesting that his father had something to do with the assassination of Kennedy?” asked Eric.

“No. I’m not suggesting that. I’m just saying it’s a very odd coincidence that while his mother was in labor, the father was nowhere to be found. It also seems an odd coincidence that Fiorizoni died in a motel room outside of Miami with a ticket to Cuba on the nightstand, along with a letter postmarked from Russia and one postmarked from Dallas.” He let that one sink in for everyone and then continued.

“Bruloni also seemed to give excuses for certain activities or operations he didn’t want to be associated with at the agency. For instance,” said Tanner, looking at the room, “he refused to have any part in the investigations of 9-11.”

“And no one thought that was odd? The agency, the very agency that has been a part of this conversation since the second it happened, had a director who refused to be a part of the investigation into the incidents. And no one said a fucking word?” growled Hex.

“He’s like Teflon. Nothing sticks to this guy. He’s been able to make excuses for everything.”

“And travel out of the country?” asked Luke.

“The tickets that Hugo saw on his desk were for three Russian government officials, all three with ties to the Russian military. All three now back in their own country.”

“This asshole is planning something big,” said Cam. “We have to get him out of the agency right away.”

“The POTUS is doing that now,” said Georgie. “He sent a message to me after our call that our recording was insightful and enough to terminate and arrest him. If they can find him.”

“Great. So, now, he’s on the loose, and no one knows where.”

“I know where,” said Katelyn. Mav was standing behind her, his arms folded over his chest. The look of anger, mixed with sheer terror, was unnerving to those in the room.

“Katelyn, what did you do?” asked Eric.

---