Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 148 Tiger poison does not eat its seeds

Ten forty at night.

Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Inside a federal historic building located on the edge of the diplomatic district.

Hollen stood beside the oak conference table, gazing out the window at the street corner.

It was a poor vantage point; the view was obstructed by the shadows of the trees, making it almost impossible to see pedestrians.

But he remained standing there, as if listening to the pulse of the entire city.

At that moment, the door behind him opened and closed gently.

Blair Lake strode in, still wearing the navy blue suit, only now his brooch had been replaced with a more understated metal badge.

Upon realizing the woman had entered, Hollen turned around and, without exchanging pleasantries, bluntly commanded:
“With nine days until election day, I want you to immediately cease all actions against Natalie Watts.”

Blair did not rush to respond.

She slowly pulled out a chair and sat down, a slight smile playing on her lips, her voice calm and unhurried:

"I'd like to ask, in what capacity are you issuing this order today?"

"Her father? A U.S. Senator? Or a future Secretary of State?"

Hollen didn't reply, but just stared at him, his voice low:

"I'm reminding you as someone who understands the situation."

"Now is not the time to create additional variables."

He paused, and then, seemingly to ease the tension, added two more sentences:
"Not just for yourself, but also for Rogers."

"If you truly want your party to win both the federal and North Carolina elections, then do as I say now."

"You talk as if you've already got the victory in the bag." Blair's expression was somewhat amused as he spoke.

Hollen bent down, pulled a document from the briefcase next to the corner of the table, and handed it over.

"This is the draft of the National Security Emergency Notice that the President signed at 4 p.m. today," he said.

Blair's gaze swept over the heading above, his eyebrows slightly raised, waiting for the man to finish speaking.

"The content includes—"

"Freeze all reporting related to the Raleigh Camp attack."

"The case will be assigned to the FBI and DHS Joint Special Counterterrorism Task Force."

"No federal, state, or local law enforcement agency may disclose on-site information without authorization."

"As for the congressional level, the White House is pressuring Senate Republicans to delay temporary hearings in order to avoid triggering a security scandal before the election."

“Procedurally speaking, these operations are all within the scope of permissions.”

Hollen said calmly, "But from a political perspective, it was a poor gag order."

"The program was running too fast, and the technique was too clumsy."

"The media had already sensed something was wrong."

"As long as we promote our internal columns and get several 'independent newsrooms' to report on it simultaneously."

"Add a few drone aerial photos and the 'leaked federal security documents' and that's enough to make the Republicans lose face."

Blair listened quietly without interrupting until Hollen finished speaking, then softly exclaimed in admiration, "It sounds like you really have the victory in your grasp."

"It's just a pity—"

She then changed the subject: "The news I bring may make you less 'certain'."

Upon hearing this, Hollen subconsciously frowned, and saw the woman pull out an officer's statement from her folder:
"Your daughter was at Camp Raleigh a week before the incident, for interviews and recorded material."

"She's a journalist, so this arrangement isn't unusual."

Hollen said calmly, but his expression turned somewhat gloomy: "I advise you to abandon your plans."

"Now is not the time for infighting."

At this point, Blair's attitude softened, and she said with a smile, "You'd better let me finish." She took out a crumpled notebook from the folder and flipped to the last page.

"October 21, Wake County Police Department."

"Communications are interrupted, networks are down, and monitoring is paralyzed."

"The method was the same as the case in the military camp, and no one at the scene escaped unharmed."

Hollen remained silent, his jawline slightly tense.

"Thirty bodies, including seven police officers."

"Her name just happened to appear among the registered arrestees."

Blair looked at Hollen, leaned forward slightly, and said, "But don't worry, things have been suppressed."

"The Republican Party is also afraid that the information will leak and affect the election."

"Therefore, all relevant insiders have been 'arranged'."

"It's simply a perfect collaboration between the two parties."

She let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair: "Even so, would you still prefer to consider all of this a 'coincidence'?"

Hollen's eyes changed completely.

He didn't speak immediately, but tilted his head slightly and looked at her meaningfully.

It was as if he was reassessing the woman in front of him.

It's not just about the intelligence she possesses, but also about her future value, level of danger, and controllability.

Finally, Hollen spoke again: "No trace was left?"

"It was handled very cleanly and professionally," Blair said.

“Fine.” Hollen nodded, his tone icy and leaving no room for argument: “Then we’ll do as you say.”

"Take care of her cleanly and efficiently."

"Act quickly, and don't use official channels."

“My men are already on their way,” Blair said, standing up and smoothing out the wrinkles in his suit.

“Actually, you’re not at a loss either,” she said casually. “Less potential risk means more chances of winning.”

"If anyone asks you about it in the future, you can still say that you made a decisive decision at a critical moment, which prevented a party crisis that could have affected the whole country."

interesting.

Is it already on its way?
Hollen glanced at the woman who was putting away the documents, concealing his displeasure, and said gently as before:
"Political parties will remember your loyalty."

"Once everything is over, I will recommend this trustworthy and capable woman to Rogers."

"In the future, it should play its value in a more suitable position."

Blair, oblivious to his wariness, looked up and smiled: "Should I say thank you in advance?"

Hollen turned his gaze to the window.

The streetlights on Massachusetts Avenue were reflected on the glass.

Blair then resumed his lecturing tone:
“You know, this version of the story always sounds much more substantial than ‘a father kept in the dark’.”

"Because the decisiveness it requires is undoubtedly a credible cruelty that is both terrifying and admirable."

"Especially for a gentleman who is about to sit in an office in the east wing of the State Council's main building."

As soon as she finished speaking, she picked up her handbag, turned around, and left.

The heels tapped rhythmically on the wooden floor, one tap after another, seemingly indicating that their owner was in a good mood.

Hollen narrowed his eyes, watching her retreating figure, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

The light and shadow fell on half of his face, blurring his expression.

But the murderous intent in his eyes was so direct and undisguised.

(End of this chapter)