Page 146 of False Flag

“Funding for the arts,” Freya added.

“And science. We can use it to drown out the pseudoscientists who are bent on eugenics and anti-vax. Paid for by oligarchs who will suddenly be a lot poorer.”

“Do it.”

Vicki glanced at her watch. “The signing is in an hour. The protest should be ramping up by now. Should I wait?”

“No. Casper won’t figure it out immediately. And Staci should begin livestreaming soon. Once she does that, if they’re paying attention, they’ll know we’ve disabled the signal blockers and try to lock us out. Do it now.”

Vicki took a deep breath and then commenced stealing billions of dollars from the worst men in the world.

Chapter Fifty-Three

“We’re seriously filming with just the two of us?” Staci said as she followed Gerard through the forest, holding a small video camera as he used a machete like a man who clearly didn’t know how to wield it. But then, machetes were terrible for spring woody stock, especially branches. Anyone with field experience knew that.

She should probably tell him.

Or not.

“The film crew was needed on Whidbey.” Gerard shoved aside the branch that he hadn’t managed to cut and plowed forward.

Staci ducked before the branch could hit her in the face. “I have an idea. How about I take the lead and you film?” She would skip the drama of the useless machete. She was small and could slip between branches better than him.

“But Staci, you aren’t the main character here. I am.”

“Touché.” She frowned at the camera, which didn’t have the ability to stream live. “The camera’s not working. It keeps cutting out. I’m going to use my phone. I’ve got a selfie stick.”

“Fine, but use it sideways. Portrait cell phone videos look half-assed. This is a professional documentary.”

“Sure thing, boss.” She tucked the camera into her pack and pulled out the selfie stick that also served as a tripod.

“You know this means you’ll have to let me plug your phone into my computer, right? So Dahlia can edit it.”

“Fine.” She put annoyance into her voice and began recording.

They were deep in the woods now, on their way to Casper’s so-called site. Staci was biding her time. They continued through the woods, Gerard showing no improvement in his machete skills, while choosing the most impenetrable path.

He reached out to hold a branch steady and, with his other arm, swung the blade. Staci shoved his arm to the side, changing the trajectory of his swing, which threw him off balance.

“What the fuck?” He stared up at her from where he’d fallen in a mess of branches and shrubs.

“You were aiming for your own hand. If I hadn’t stopped you, you’d have a cut that would need stitches. Pay attention, Gerard. I won’t always be here to save you.”

She could see he wanted to argue, but she was right. He wouldn’t be the first person to make that mistake. The other popular machete cut was when the blade cut fast and clean, and the arc of the swing connected with the user’s shin. She knew a guy who needed seven stitches for that once and was lucky it wasn’t worse, given their isolation in a jungle.

Gerard dropped down onto a rock and let out a long sigh. Staci raised her phone and touched the button she’d set up in advance to go live on YouTube. It was time to put an end to this farce. “Anything you’d like to say to your fans? Or me?”

He pulled a water bottle from his pack and took a long drink, then said, “Thank you. That would have hurt like a bitch.”

“You’re welcome.” She opened the tripod legs, adjusted the height and angle, then checked the screen, centering Gerard. She confirmed it was recording and streaming, then moved to join him in the shot. “You going to tell me what we’re doing here?”

“We’re going to visit the archaeological site where Casper Osborne found artifacts that had the residue of an ancient biotoxin.”

“Artifacts I have yet to see. And a biotoxin that has yet to be confirmed.”

Gerard shrugged.

“Let’s cut the bullshit. Why are we here and not on Whidbey? Is there going to be a Truther attack and you don’t want to be anywhere near it?”