Page 104 of False Flag

He didn’t know how not to lie.

There was a knock on the door. “Staci?” Dahlia said, “Gerard is ready.”

She opened the door. Dahlia scanned her from head to toe. Staci had taken great care with her appearance, knowing that this would be filmed. Hair and makeup were perfect, plus she wore a fitted top that showed a hint of cleavage. Gerard had hired her for her looks and credentials. She would give him both in today’s interview.

Dahlia shook her head. “I never stood a chance with Jake with you in the house.”

“I think most of the others are single?”

She made a face. “Incels. Every single one.”

“Even Riley?”

Dahlia leaned forward and whispered, “I’m in a chat group with most of them. They think I’m a guy. Riley knows how to behave in person, but he’s just as bad as the rest of them.”

Had Lloyd been in the secret group? Was it the Archaeology Truthers?

“Lloyd never struck me as an incel.”

“Yeah, but like his brother, he only had eyes for you.”

That didn’t answer any of her pertinent questions. “Can you get me in the chat?”

Dahlia shook her head. “You’d hate it. Just a bunch of whiny babies who want to find Mu.” She nodded toward the door to the studio. “His Lordship is waiting.”

“Casper is here?”

She shook her head. “Just Gerard.”

Dahlia was harder to read than Staci had first thought. Was it possible this was just a job for her? She’d been Gerard’s assistant and producer for a few years and never spoke on the podcast as far as Staci knew. But last night, she’d made it clear she didn’t believe Staci would be honest in her work.

Dahlia, however, was a question for later. Right now, Staci had to face His Lordship.

She entered the recording studio. Gerard gave her a once-over and nodded his approval. “Once again, worth the wait.”

“Glad you approve. I will, of course, tone it down for fieldwork. Eye makeup and digging go together like orange juice and toothpaste.”

He smiled and nodded to the sofa opposite his. She sat down. There were three cameras—one focused on him, one on her, and one that recorded the whole scene. She inserted the earpiece Dahlia had provided, and they did a sound check. After minor adjustments, Dahlia counted down, and the red recording light went on.

Gerard began with his usual introduction for Lost Civilizations, followed by, “Joining me today in the studio is the newest member of the Lost Civilizations team, underwater archaeologist Staci Allen. Staci has a master’s degree in maritime studies and is currently working on a PhD in archaeology. Staci is a huge fan of the show and was eager to sign on because she wants to help me convince Big Archaeology to stop covering up the truth. Welcome to the team, Staci.”

His introduction shouldn’t have surprised her, yet it did. She’d lost some of her edge while focusing on Jake, and it was time to remember who she was dealing with. Still, Gerard’s words didn’t rattle her. She knew how to respond.

She gave the camera a tight smile. “While it’s true that I have a master’s degree and I’m working on my PhD, the rest of my introduction was a complete fabrication, much like your assertion that Atlantis or Mu, or whichever name you wish to call it, is real and existed ten thousand years ago.”

To his credit, Gerard rolled with it. “If you don’t think my ideas have merit, why are you here?”

“Because it’s time for you to put up or shut up. You said you were going to fund an expedition to prove your theories. I’m here to make sure it’s scientific.”

She smiled for the camera again, a real one this time. “I’m a professional archaeologist. I believe in science. I’m here to vet the methodology and examine the findings. To make sure the expedition report will pass peer review. If we find evidence of agriculture associated with datable materials and get a C-14 date of ten thousand years ago, I will include that data along with the supporting documentation in my report. I’m here for science, Gerard, because I want to stop the spread of harmful disinformation.”

“How are my theories harmful?”

“You’ve asserted that pyramids built in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas were not built by the historic or prehistoric Indigenous inhabitants. You actively seek to separate modern humans from their cultural history.”

“But what if it’s not their cultural history?”

“Do you know your cultural history? You’re a Campbell, right? Scottish? Do you know the history of your people?”