Free The Secret Weapon by Bridget Denise Bundy Page A

at ear length. She wore pink lipstick and soft blue eye shadow. Chancellor Erato didn’t smile. Her close up shot showed her as being proud with a faraway look.
    Malie remarked, “You know who this is.” Malie picked up a remote from a small square table in the corner and pressed a button.
    Another picture appeared, and it was a man in his fifties. He had dark hair. Signs of grey were beginning to show on the sides. The man was smiling, looking handsome and confident. Coraset saw the family resemblance between him and the Chancellor.
    Malie looked at the picture and stated, “This is Dominic Erato. He is the youngest son of the deceased Chancellor.”
    “Deceased Chancellor,” Coraset inquired making sure she heard correctly.
    “Yes,” Xavier answered. “She died last week while she was in surgery.”
    Malie continued, “ When she appointed herself as Chancellor over Erato in 2025, she named Dominic Erato as her successor once she was dead or incapable of ruling. Unfortunately, Dominic will continue the political and social policies of our current state. We were hoping she would have chosen Sergei Erato. He is the oldest son, and he shares the same views as me, Xavier, and many others in Erato.”
    Coraset asked impatiently, “What does this have to do with me spreading the virus?”
    “We will get to that.” Malie remarked.
    “No,” Coraset pointed to Malie and continued, “ I want to hear why you think I’m responsible for spreading the virus. I could care less about who’s the Chancellor.”
    “ Tell her,” Xavier ordered.
    Malie sighed and tentatively asked, “Do you remember when you were in charge of international aid at Erato?”
    “Of course, I remember. That’s a ridiculous question.”
    Malie continued, “The water supplies you used to help disaster victims were a means for Erato to spread the virus.”
    Coraset didn’t believe it and snapped back, “You’re lying.”
    “It is the truth,” Malie emphasized. “ The N12 Virus was in the bottled water.”
    She tried to read Malie’s expression, to see if her eyes would fall left or right. She did keep eye contact with Coraset, but still Coraset wasn’t convinced of Malie’s accusation.
    She continued, “Every single bottle that you and your staff handed out was infected.”
    “ Where is your proof?” Coraset asked angrily.
    Malie looked away as an answer. Coraset looked to Xavier, but he simply stared at his hands
    “ That’s all I’m asking is for you to show me the proof.”
    “We cannot provide proof.” Xavier responded.
    Coraset shook her head, laughing angrily.
    Malie spoke up, “T he water was tested.”
    “ Then I want to see the results.”
    Malie looked at Xavier and said quickly, “Coraset, that information is unavailable.”
    Xavier pleaded, “We will provide it to you, but-”
    “That’s enough, Xavier,” Coraset was on overload. Her brain was racing, and she couldn’t think straight. “ I don’t want to hear anymore. You two are nothing but liars and manipulators, and I’m not falling for it. I want to go home.”
    Malie looked at Xavier with an expectation for him to stop her.
    He stuttered, “Just…just-”
    Malie offered, “ Why don’t we take a breather? We can talk about this later. Coraset, you’re more than welcome to stay here.”
    She remarked, “I’m not going to stay here.”
    “If you go back home, you’ll be dead. Did you forget about the assault team that’s trying to kill you?”
    Coraset realized Malie was right. But then she asked herself how did Malie know? Was she responsible for sending the team?
    “They are waiting for you as we speak.”
    Coraset glared at Malie and asked, “You sent them after me?”
    “ We wouldn’t be having this discussion if I sent them.” Malie pointed out. “I have a private loft upstairs you are more than welcome to use.”
    “Fine,” Coraset agreed.
    “But I require you to hear us out afterwards.” Malie added.
    Coraset didn’t