“Yes, it is. Ephraim was an idealist and didn’t have a taste for politics. Did he even mention why the department made the shift from a publicly known agency—it wasn’t widely known in that day, but it wasn’t hiding its existence—to a more secretive organization?” Bonnell asked.
“He claims it was for the good of the department.”
“It was. In order to keep funding and to protect the department from those who would manipulate our findings for political gain, Oliver Uttley and James McBee conspired with a general, a US representative, and three US senators to formally ‘disband’ the DWO and immediately reconfigure it out of the public eye,” Bonnell said. “Rumor was, McCarthy was about to pull Uttley, his team, and someone from the local FBI office in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee. Uttley had been fighting for years to keep himself and his people out of Washington D.C.’s claws. The move to secrecy allowed them to operate more freely. The DWO handles what others can’t, because of either fear or ignorance. And I think it’s been painfully obvious in recent years that some people prefer ignorance over knowledge.”
“My uncle’s journals don’t mention anything about dodging McCarthy,” Jesse said hotly.
“It’s in the files,” Bryce said, his voice hard. “In the archives. Uttley saved everything. There’s a cryptic report about a meeting in Los Angeles. It has a personal note attached.Can’t bring myself to tell ED that M wouldn’t protect him. This is our only chance. I remember it because Alex couldn’t stop laughing about ED.”
“ED,” Bonnell said. “Ephraim Dawes.”
“My grandfather’s name was Matthew. He was a senator. He always hoped for more, but he could never win the Republican nomination,” Jesse said. “That son of a bitch. He must have planned on letting Uncle Ephraim face HUAAC.”
“Now that we’ve sorted out our history for you, we need your complete cooperation,” Bonnell said.
Jesse nodded, though he still looked a little dazed.
There was something Bryce needed to know first. Before Bonnell could start her interrogation, he cleared his throat. Once he had Jesse’s attention, he stepped closer to the table. He had to know one truth or he wouldn’t be able to listen to Jesse talk. “When did you know I was DWO?”
Jesse blanched.
That was more than enough answer. Everything between them had been one long con. Somehow, he had figured out that the podcast was connected to the DWO, and he’d planned on using that to discover more about the department. The coffee spill, inviting Bryce back to his place—the only reason Bryce had gained any attention was because Celia showed up to the meeting instead of her co-podcaster, Peyton. Jesse must have spotted Bryce at the Valless mansion and known he was on the right track. That was why he’d texted on Saturday. That was why he’d kissed Bryce in the museum. Why he’d let him in the night before and tonight.
The potential conspiracy spooled out in front of Bryce. Jesse was seducing him. He didn’t care about him. Their connection was imagined on Bryce’s part, and fed on a fertilizer of lies from Jesse.
Bryce spun on his heel and stalked out of the room.
“Bryce, wait,” Jesse said.
Jesse didn’t catch up to him until he was in the hallway. He grabbed Bryce’s arm.
Unwilling to walk out into the bullpen of junior agents’ desks with Jesse latched onto him, Bryce stopped. Despite the late hour, someone might be working. They didn’t need to witness his collapse. His chest was too tight and his heart hurt. He’d spent so much damn time worried about Jesse and everything had been a lie.
“I didn’t know,” Jesse whispered. “I swear to you, I didn’t figure out who you worked for until you showed up at my office.”
“And how the fuck am I supposed to believe that?” Bryce replied hoarsely. “You clearly only care about one thing. Your crusade.”
“That isn’t true.”
“The fuck it isn’t,” Bryce snapped.
“I care about you.” Jesse put his hand on Bryce’s shoulder.
Bryce scoffed and knocked Jesse’s hand away.
“What do I have to do to prove it to you?” Jesse asked.
There was no easy way to rebuild blind trust. Bryce had opened up the gates to his inner feelings because he thought Jesse might be worthy of them. Now he was wishing he’d scolded Alex and ghosted Jesse after those first few texts.
Only, not really. Not deep, deep down. He wanted to believe that Jesse was the good man he’d seen the first night they were together. The hero who put everything on the line to help Alex. Someone who cared about others, even if he didn’t care about Bryce. Except, Jesse appeared miserable and contrite. Bryce took hold of the hem of Jesse’s T-shirt, needing just a little touch.
“Whatever Bonnell wants, you give her,” Bryce said. “No more lies. No more running around thinking you can do this job without our approval. You want on the team, fucking act like a team player.”
“And that will fix us?” Jesse asked.
“That will give us achanceto fix us,” Bryce replied.
“All right.” Jesse nodded. He squeezed Bryce’s arm once more. “Guess it’s time I go talk to your leader.”
