“I wonder why she hasn’t called me,” mumbled Joe.
“She’s very sharp, Joe. My guess is she put two and two together and figured the governor was acting as President Taylor’s do-boy.”
“He did all of this to get at me?” asked Joe.
“Think about it. Nevada is always a swing state. If the governor can cause an uproar, lay the blame on the CDC—and Harper in particular—all roads lead right back to this office. They’ll use it in the budget battle with you as well as a hammer in our future political plans.”
“Cut me off at the knees before I even get started,” Joe surmised.
“Exactly.”
“Unbelievable!” shouted Joe as he pounded his fist on the desk out of frustration. He was furious that his wife was being used as a pawn in the president’s political games. “Taylor’s that desperate?”
Spangler, who’d remained standing throughout the conversation, nodded. “He is, and so are his political advisors. That’s the way it works, Joe. As soon as the label rising star is attached to any DC politician, the opposition goes into high gear to destroy them.”
“And all of this is because of Herbert Brittain’s support?”
“In part,” replied Spangler, who sighed and finally took a seat. “Listen, this is why we started discreetly keeping up with Harper’s activities. Unfortunately, the families of politicians, especially the proverbial rising stars, become the target of their opponents and the media.”
Joe exhaled and leaned back in his chair to stare at the ceiling. “I never wanted her to become entangled in the dirty world of politics. I should never have opened myself up for other options besides the one I have right here in this office.”
Spangler was empathetic. “Joe, it would’ve happened eventually. Maybe not something of this magnitude. But your involvement in budgetary and oversight matters would naturally bring heat because of Harper’s job.”
“I can’t ask her to quit,” said Joe.
“No, nor should you. First, we need to diffuse this situation. Then we’ll need to spend some time with her so she understands how vicious DC operatives can be.”
Joe shook his head and rolled his eyes. After a deep breath, he phoned his wife.
Chapter Four
Gold Palace Hotel
Fremont Street Experience
Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada
“I’m so sorry, Joe. I knew it was out of place for him to drag me into Air Force One. It’s not my place to have conversations with the President of the United States. But, honestly, I didn’t feel like I was in a position to say no.”
Joe comforted his wife and reassured her she’d done nothing wrong. Harper had been trapped, and regardless of what she did, the president and the Nevada governor would pin the quarantine decision on her because she was in charge of the CDC team in Las Vegas.
“No worries, darling. Listen. They may have overplayed their hand. Andy is already working on something that might expose them. Leave that to us.”
“Okay, I will,” said Harper, who was still remorseful for her unintentional contribution to the lockdown. “In the meantime, I have a room full of epidemiologists who were exhausted to begin with. We have a lot of work to do here, and they need some sleep.”
“We’re working on that as well, but let me mention one other thing to you,” said Joe.
“What is it?”
“Andy suspects they’re keeping you locked in there for another reason. He thinks they’re gathering a media scrum to confront you when the doors are opened.”
“Aw, shit, Joe. I don’t wanna deal with that after what’s happened tonight. I’ll probably blast every last one of them.”
“You have every right to be incredulous, and Taylor’s people know that. You have to keep your cool and try your best to muzzle your attack dog. While I’d enjoy seeing Becker take a bite out of the media’s asses, it won’t help us this go-around.”
Harper glanced at her watch. Becker had been gone for nearly an hour. She’d already become concerned her loyal assistant might be trapped in the HVAC ducts. She wasn’t sure how to respond to Joe’s suggestion, so she changed the subject.
“Honey, I love you and thanks for calling. I didn’t want to bother you with this.”
Joe tried to remove any doubts or fears from her mind. “I’m always here for you, no matter what. Those guys play dirty, but we have our own playbook. Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Harper smiled. That was one of her grandmother’s favorite phrases. She wondered if Joe used it for that reason. “Okay.”
“I’ve got your back, Harper. Know that.”
“I do. I’ll sit tight and keep my opinions to myself. I love you!”
“I love you back. I’ll be in committee at nine. Text me or call Andy if something comes up. Promise?”
“Promise!”
Harper disconnected the call and turned to observe the group. Several of the epidemiologists had succumbed to their exhaustion and curled up on the floor next to the walls to sleep. She glanced around the room in search of the light switches. Perhaps the group could sleep through this nightmare.
Ding!
Her iPhone notified her of a text. It wasn’t Joe, because she’d assigned a musical notification to his incoming messages. It was Becker. The text was succinct and descriptive.
Becker: Bedlam!
Chapter Five
Underground Great Wall
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
In land size, China is approximately the same size as the United States, while its population is almost five times greater. Its major cities were extremely overcrowded, while its rural areas were sparse. Scholars have often referred to the tale of two Chinas—the provinces versus the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and Tibet. The provinces were more tightly controlled by the Beijing Communist government, whereas the autonomous regions, which have a disproportionately higher number of minority ethnic groups, have maintained some semblance of control over their local governments.
Human rights violations had come to light against the native Tibetans since the 1950s when the Chinese military sent thousands of troops into the region to enforce its claims. During this period, known as the Chinese Cultural Revolution, most of Tibet’s monasteries were destroyed.
A lesser known human rights issue centered around the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group that populated Xinjiang. Beginning in 2018, and for years thereafter, the Uyghurs were the victims of genocide. Via leaked Communist Party documents, the world learned of internment camps being built throughout Xinjiang that coincided with China’s brutal crackdown against the Uyghur Muslim community. The Beijing government called them voluntary education centers, which had a stated purpose of cleansing the Uyghurs’ brains.
As whole families disappeared in the middle of the night, university-age Uyghur students took to social media to spread the word of China’s genocidal activity. They also went into hiding—in the massive aqueduct system under Xinjiang, nicknamed the Underground Great Wall in defiance of the Communist Party.