Read Toward the Brink (Book 3) for Free Online Page B

place—the invasion of Iraq, the first shuttle launch, or the moon landing. Everyone was glued not to the set, but to the two men in chairs at one end of the room.
    The soldiers and flight crews lined up on one side of the room, the president and his party on another. At the top of the room were the group from Twin Falls and Shoshone, and Kath—the lone representative of Prince George, and quite possibly the only local still alive.
    The two accused had been advised, as the Tall Man led them up the stairs, to remain silent if they knew “what was good for them.” Etheridge for the first time in years had no words, and Holmes’s experience told him it would be in his best interest to do as Mr. Black instructed.
    Kath had made sandwiches earlier with help from Margaret, Sam, and the first lady. Cindy had joined in with the domestic chores but had mumbled the whole time about what a grump Elliot had become, and how he valued Chuck just a little more than he should.
    Water was passed around, and it was accepted with enthusiasm before Tom Transky strode to the center of the room.
    “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began in a subdued manner, “most of us gathered know one or the other of these men, and a few of us know or at least are aware of them both. Some of you know of their duplicitous behavior, which has now led us, and no doubt the entire world, toward the brink of destruction.” Tom looked around at the faces in the group like the lawyer he was, studying his jury. But there wouldn’t be any question regarding the outcome of this trial, other than what punishment would be fitting. What could you actually do to these two, who organized the murder of more than five billion people, which would be just? Tom asked himself as he looked at the faces, some confused, some angry, and all wanting answers.
    Tom detailed his knowledge of Richard Holmes, his background, and his roles in many clandestine activities—most of which would not be provable in a court of law. But that was no longer of concern. When Tom finished, he asked the Tall Man to share what he knew about Richard Holmes. The Tall Man retold his story from the cellar a few minutes ago, with a few more details. He added that toward the end, he had realized there was a connection between the supersized potato and the illness sweeping Idaho, and he began to believe he and other security personnel were there to safeguard the production of this potato, to make sure it went through.
    “This… this plague was planned a long way back. Baer’s potato was the perfect vehicle to deliver it to a widespread, unaware population. Hitler and Pol Pot are just babes in the woods compared to these two. Those things out there,” the Tall Man stood and pointed out the window. “As horrific as they are, aren’t the real monsters. These two are!”
    The president stood next and echoed Tom’s assessment of Richard Holmes. Then everyone found his analysis of Milton Etheridge of such intrigue that a dropped pin would have been heard.
    “No doubt, you have all read about, or heard, rumors of a super-secret group that was hell-bent on world domination. The Chamber,” the president said. “But there was no proof of its existence, was there? Well, now there is. Right here in this chair is the appointed representative of the North American branch of the Chamber. They are real, and they do control everything, and they have now destroyed everything.”
    The president saw the looks of disgust and anger on the faces of most of those around him. The camouflaged soldiers appeared to be ambivalent. One moment they were glad to work for Holmes, and now that their future with him wasn’t so bright, they were eager to jump ship. But for how long could they be trusted? The president doubted he was the only one who wondered.
    “And before anyone asks me why I, as president, did nothing to prevent the activities of this tumorous growth known as the Chamber, know this. The heads of government of this