Page 147 of False Flag

Now Gerard smiled as if she’d walked right into his trap. “What makes you think there’s going to be a Truther attack?”

“Oh, I don’t know, because yesterday you declared a Code Red and sent your biggest followers to an event that you declared was tribes stealing your land.”

“It is and they are. With the governor’s help.”

“Such bullshit. There’s zero evidence to support your theories of a Mu civilization, let alone a Mu genocide. There is, however, lots of evidence that Casper Osborne’s family committed genocide a hundred and fifty years ago. Casper is scared because BC is looking to pass the same law, which will then be the model for a federal law in both the US and Canada. Casper is trying to hold on to his island.”

She waved her arms around to encompass the forest that surrounded them. “This island. This forest. That his great-great-grandparents took by force.”

“Be careful what you say. Casper Osborne has good attorneys. He’ll sue you for everything you’ve got.”

“Or he’ll sue you, because I’m working for you. But don’t worry, you’ll win if he sues because I have facts on my side. Plus, I’m not slandering him. I’m stating what his ancestors did.”

“There’s no proof.”

“But there is. You see, you’ve had me isolated from being able to research from here, and Casper gave me fake—AI written—reports for my background. But I know people, and I hired an anthropologist who is well-connected in the tribal communities in BC and Washington to interview First Nations elders who wouldn’t talk to me. I’ve had her report since I got back from Victoria.”

This wasn’t true—she’d just received it this morning when she used her hotspot to download files from Brie—but she could hardly admit to that here. “Your sweet deal with Casper Osborne is about to get a lot more complicated.”

“I’d feel sorry for you,” Gerard said, “if I didn’t know you were in tight with Big Archaeology. I should have cut ties the minute I saw Drew Bishop’s video. I was hoping I’d get you to confess now that we’ve found the biotoxin Big Archaeology has been hiding for decades.”

“So that’s your play? An attack at the signing? Who’s going to be the target? My supporters or yours?”

“There’s no such thing as Archaeological Truthers. It’s a bogeyman created by archaeologists.”

“I know many of your followers believe that. But I also know there are many—including several who are on this expedition—who are Truthers themselves. They know which of us is lying here.” She paused for a beat. “How do you think your viewers will feel when they realize you’ve told AT to attack the very same followers you begged to go to Whidbey Island? Is anyone on the expedition team in the dark? Will they be killed to make your point about Big Archaeology? Who’s orchestrating the attack in your absence?”

“You spin a fascinating tale.”

“I know you’re EarlGrey in the Truther chats. I know you make it look like Ace”—she looked directly into the camera—“viewers know him as Riley, is the leader, but it’s you. And when Lloyd, AKA KingCrab, got my ex-boyfriend to start asking about my attack, Lloyd figured it out. You were calling the shots. Then Lloyd got into another group—one Beau, my ex, wasn’t in—and read the messages in which EarlGrey ordered Crash to attack me and whoever was with me on campus. And then, when I signed up for the fundraiser, you had me seated at Crash’s table. That had to be an extra fun fuck you to me. I hope you enjoyed it, because it’s the last joy you’ll feel at my expense.”

“You are clearly insane.”

“I’m betting Crash killed Drew Bishop. But that’s not the end of his involvement. Yesterday, you called for a protest and Crash—Walt Costner—urged your fans to go. Where they will be poisoned, by your Truthers, in an attack that you will claim was committed by Big Archaeology.

“Talk about your false flags… Anyway, my only question is, are you going to use asthma inhalers, like you did with Lloyd and Drew? Hard to see how that will work on dozens of people. Most of whom probably don’t have asthma.”

Gerard remained cool even as she lobbed her accusations, but his eyes flickered when she mentioned Crash and the inhaler. “Well, now I understand why you went into archaeology—you do like to invent history.”

She grinned. “And I may not be a psychologist, but I know projecting when I see it.” She nodded toward the camera. “You might want to tell your generals to fall back. If they don’t release the toxin, they can cut a deal. Casper is a bigger fish than all of you. He had the toxin created. Maybe even you can get a deal.”

“I knew hiring you would make for good television. It’s a shame no one will ever see this recording.”

Her smile deepened. “Don’t be so sure.”

“Well, maybe it’ll be played at your trial. But you might want to go with an insanity plea. Clearly, you’re delusional if you think I have anything to do with a terrorist group that doesn’t exist.”

“I know you’re EarlGrey. The transcripts are already in the hands of several prosecutors.” She had no clue if that was true, but it sounded good to her.

There was rustling in the woods, and Beau emerged. Staci stiffened. He was a wildcard she hadn’t counted on. But then, they’d been easy to follow, and she hadn’t been on the lookout, not when her focus had to remain on Gerard.

“Is it true?” His face was red, but she didn’t think it was from exertion. She guessed he’d been a few feet away, listening. “IS IT TRUE?” He shouted. “Are you EarlGrey?”

“He is.” Staci rose, taking a step to the side, uncertain where he would direct his anger. “He killed Lloyd. Lloyd got on another Truther chat, one you were kept away from, the night before he died and realized EarlGrey had orchestrated the attack on me, Drew, and Dr. Garrison. The one he—as EarlGrey in your Truther chat—claimed was a false flag. He let you believe you went to jail because I sicced the police on you for something I had done myself.”

She knew Beau knew all this, but Gerard’s viewers didn’t. As it was, they’d probably have to watch the recording several times to sort out the players.

She continued. “Lloyd confronted him.” She gave a tight smile. “Just asking questions, as you all are fond of saying. Dahlia saw them arguing, but she didn’t know what it was about.”