Wormhole (The Rho Agenda #3)(19)
“Let me give you a brief overview of what Dr. Stephenson actually did instead of the propaganda to which we have all inadvertently succumbed.
“It is true that a highly dangerous experimental nanite trial has been operating in the secret laboratories at Henderson House. What you haven’t been told is that this program was not originated by Dr. Stephenson, but by the chairman of the Henderson House Foundation, Dr. Anthony Frell. When Dr. Stephenson discovered that his serum was being misused in a wrongheaded attempt to regenerate missing limbs and correct genetic deficiencies, he made a special trip to Henderson House to see for himself exactly what was going on so that he could put a stop to it.
“That fateful trip resulted in the now-famous picture taken by the Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative reporter Freddy Hagerman.”
The president paused, placing his elbows on his desk, steepling his fingers.
“Now, let me be clear. Our strings have been pulled by a master manipulator and international criminal, the ultimate prodigy of our intelligence training program. I’m speaking of a brilliant, ruthless killer fueled by raging hatred for the very government that created him.
“The final issue I want to clarify is the allegation that Dr. Stephenson made irresponsible or criminal modifications to the nanite suspension fluid distributed around the world. Dr. Stephenson did add a simple external interface to the nanites. However, far from what you have been told, this interface was a fail-safe mechanism. Its only purpose was to allow the nanites to be shut down in the unlikely event that something went wrong after they had been administered to the world’s population. The nanites are incapable of taking any other external command. The rest of their programming comes from the genetic code of the person to whom they have been administered.
“By invoking the shutdown command across the GPS satellite link from Schreiver Air Force Base, Jack Gregory accomplished two critical parts of his terrorist agenda. He completed the frame-up of Dr. Donald Stephenson and ruined billions of dollars’ of work designed to free this world of some of its worst scourges.”
The president picked up the water glass on his desk and took a sip before continuing.
“As your president, I am here to make right the wrongs I have just described. First, I apologize directly to Dr. Donald Stephenson on behalf of the nation that owes him so much. Rather than go through all the red tape associated with judicial review, I hereby issue a complete pardon to Dr. Stephenson for any actions associated with his efforts on the Rho Project. I am pleased to announce that I have reinstated him as deputy director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, something that I discussed with him in my office earlier today. In addition, I am appointing him as special United States scientific advisor to the European nuclear agency, CERN.
“After consultations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, I have also decided to restart the distribution of the original Rho Project nanotech formula in Africa, a continent with the most critical need for this medical breakthrough, and the one most harmed by Jack Gregory’s terrorist attack.
“Lastly, I pledge to you, the American people, that I will not rest until I have brought to justice the assassin and terrorist known as the Ripper. As president of the United States, I bear full responsibility for having allowed our nation to be caught in his web of deceit, and I assure you, I will not be deceived again.
“Thank you. May God watch over and guide each of us in the challenging days to come.”
Heather stood over Mark’s bed, watching as he stretched his arms, sleep gradually releasing its hold on him. Opening his brown eyes, he smiled up at her. As disturbing as last night’s white-eyed invasion of her thoughts had been, seeing this morning’s smile in those eyes eased her concern.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” she said. “How you feeling?”
“Had the strangest dreams. But right now, I’m starving.”
Sitting up in bed, Mark threw off the covers, then, realizing that he was entirely naked, quickly pulled the sheet back.
“Sorry. Guess I should throw on some clothes first.”
Heather’s laugh brought a flush to his face.
Reaching the hallway, she called back over her shoulder, “A shower might be a good idea too. I’ll have Yachay warm up some leftovers.”
Heather paused in the hallway to catch her breath. As familiar as she had been with Mark’s body, this was the first time she’d seen him naked. There were probably millions of women who would kill to be with a man like that. Hell, she would. Feeling a thin sheen of sweat dampen her brow, Heather shook her head to clear it. Christ, if she didn’t get hold of her thoughts she was going to need a cold shower.
After stopping in the kitchen to relay instructions to Yachay, Heather stepped out onto the porch, where Jennifer sat relaxing in the afternoon sun.
“Mark’s awake.”
As Jen started to rise, Heather held out a hand. “In the shower.”
A wave of relief softened the worry lines around Jennifer’s eyes. “Does he remember anything?”
Heather shrugged, settling into a wicker chair beside her friend. “Don’t know yet. Thought I’d let him wake up and get dressed first. Yachay’s fixing him something to eat.”
Heather paused. “Where’re Jack and Janet?”
“Janet took Robby for a walk. Jack went into San Javier to get some supplies.”