Puppet Master Revealed

Ethan sat on the edge of the couch in Maria's apartment and watched the news unfold. Lisa had made the first bold move, a teaser of the conspiracy already out. Onscreen, documents and blurred photos flashed as Lisa's voice told over them.

"This is just the beginning," she said. "What we have here could implicate some of the most powerful people in the state."

Maria paced the room anxiously. "This is good, right? People will finally know the truth."

Ethan didn't share her optimism. "It's a start, but Gregson won't take this lying down. He'll hit back, and when he does, he'll make sure it's personal."

Almost as if on cue, Ethan's phone buzzed. He frowned at the unknown number before answering.

"You've got guts, Carter," Gregson's voice oozed mockery. "But guts won't save you. Turn on the news in an hourI… think you'll enjoy my next move."

The line went dead. Ethan's stomach twisted with unease.

"What did he say?" Maria asked.

Ethan stood, his jaw tight. "He's about to make his move."

Exactly an hour later, the news aired a shocking segment. Ethan's face filled the screen alongside grainy photos and damning headlines.

Former cop Ethan Carter accused of corruption and rogue vigilantism," the anchor reported. "Sources indicate that Carter is using trumped-up evidence to settle old scores."

Maria gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "How could they distort it this way?"

Ethan's fists clenched as he stared hard at the screen. "Gregson. He's using this as a sideshow to discredit me before we can blow the whistle on him.

The door opened, and in walked Sawyer, his face about as somber as a cloud. "You saw it, too, huh? They got half the city thinking you're some kind of deranged lunatic."

"Let them think what they will," Ethan said coldly. "We're too close to stop now."

Regrouping, Ethan spread the documents across the table. "This smear campaign only confirms we're on track. Gregson wouldn't bother unless we were a real threat."

Sawyer nodded, scanning the files. "And this? The senator's name is all over these. Langston wasn't the top dog-Senator Aldridge is the real power behind this operation."

Maria's eyes widened. "A senator? That explains the resources, the connections. He's untouchable, Ethan. How do we go up against someone like that?"

"We expose him," Ethan said with finality. "Lisa needs to put this front and center, no delays this time.

Sawyer shook his head. "You don't take down someone like Aldridge. The lawyers, the goons. they'll bury you alive before you get a word out."

"Then we don't give them the time to react," Ethan returned. "We get it out there and make it so big they just can't ignore it. Make public pressure force the authorities' hand.

Maria hesitated. "But at what cost? They've already dragged your name through the mud. What happens when they come after Lisa or Sawyer next?"

Ethan's gaze hardened. "We'll protect each other. No more hiding. This ends now."

Sawyer smiled weakly. "You're insane, Carter. But I'm in."

Later that night, Ethan met with Lisa at a secluded café. The tension was palpable as he handed over the final pieces of evidence.

This is everything," Ethan said. "Langston, Gregson, and Aldridge-they're all connected. Print it all. Don't hold back."

Lisa looked at the files, her expression at odds. "You're asking me to paint a giant target on my back."

"You already have one," Ethan said softly. "This is the only way to stop them."

Lisa nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "Alright. But if I go down, I'm taking them with me.

Overnight, the teaser blew up into a full story: names, dates, incriminating details swamped the airwaves and social media. Public outcry was immediate, joined by calls for investigations and resignations.

But Gregson was already preparing his counterattack.

At midnight, Ethan's phone buzzed again. This time, a text message: You think this ends with a headline? You're next.

Ethan looked at the screen and shrugged off the threat. "Bring it on.".

Ethan set the phone down, still glowing from Gregson's threat, jaw tighter, eyes ablaze with determination. Maria approached, feeling his mood shift upon catching sight of his look of grim resolve.

"What did they say this time?" she asked softly.

"They think they can scare me," Ethan replied in a low tone. "But we've already started something they cannot stop."

Maria hedged. "Ethan, I'm with you, but this is getting more dangerous by the minute. What if they…"

"They won't," Ethan said, cutting her off. "Not if we stay ahead of them. The story is out. Now we need to make sure it stays out."

Sawyer came into the room, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand and an air of dishevelment about him. "We've got a problem," he said, his voice serious.

What now?" Ethan asked, already bracing for more bad news.

"His people just released a press statement. They're calling the story a hoax and accusing Lisa of fabricating evidence."

Ethan swore under his breath. "Of course they are. Damage control was expected.

"That's not all," Sawyer continued. "They've started digging into Lisa's past, looking for anything they can use against her. If they find something, anything, they'll discredit her altogether.

Ethan's face went dark. "We can't let that happen. Lisa stuck her neck out for this. We owe it to her to keep the focus on the real culprits."

An hour later, the team was huddled around the table in Maria's apartment. Sawyer laid out a map of the city, marking key locations.

"We have to be one step ahead of them," Sawyer said. "If they're after Lisa, they'll start with intimidation-or something worse."

Ethan's mind was racing. "Lisa's been working late in her office. If anything goes down, that's where it'll happen."

"I can keep an eye on her," Sawyer offered. "I know a couple of guys who can help keep her safe."

Maria looked concerned. "And what about us? If they're going after Lisa, they'll come for you too, Ethan."

"They have been coming for me since this started," Ethan said, "but now something comes that they didn't expect-public pressure. If we continue giving Lisa more evidence, they will not be able to regroup.".

Meanwhile, Lisa's office was at boiling point. She had locked herself indoors, and her desk was a mess with jotted notes and files. Her phone buzzed with messages of support and threats alike, which she just ignored to work on piecing the next story.

A sudden noise outside made her freeze. Footsteps echoed down the hall, growing louder. Lisa reached for the pepper spray she kept in her drawer while her heart pounded.

"Who's there?" she called out, trying to keep her voice steady against the fear creeping in.

The footsteps ceased just outside her door. A shadow moved under the gap, and then came a sharp knock.

"Lisa, it's Sawyer. Open up."

Relief washed over her as she hastened to unlock the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Keeping you alive," Sawyer said candidly, stepping inside. "They're not going to let you keep publishing without a fight."

Lisa nodded, determination returned. "Let them try. The truth is out there now, and I'm not stopping.

Back at Maria's apartment, Ethan's phone buzzed again. This time it was an unknown number, though, with an attached video. He opened it warily and felt chills from what he saw.

The video showed a feed of Lisa's office, across the street. There was a man in black, with a silenced pistol, who started to work his way across the window.

"They are after her," Ethan uttered in an instant rise.

Maria clutched his arm. "Ethan, wait! What can you do from here?"

"I can put an end to this," Ethan replied matter of fact. "Sawyer's with her, but he'll be needing backup."

With that, Ethan snatched his jacket and was out the door.

Ethan careened through the city's dark streets, his mind racing from one scenario to another, each worse than the one before it. Reaching Lisa's office, he found a parking place a block away and proceeded on foot, remaining in the shadows.

He saw the sniper diagonally across the street, the rifle perfectly aligned with Lisa's window. Ethan went the other way, running silently behind the man.

The assassin was focused entirely on his target, his finger caressing the trigger. Ethan launched himself and sent him crashing to the ground. The rifle fell to one side, forgotten, as the two rolled in the dirt, fighting.

The assassin was trained, landing several sharp blows to his ribs, but Ethan fought in raw desperation. In an instant, he was on top of the man, clutching the rifle and smacking it across the assassin's head; he went limp. Breathing hard, Ethan got to his feet and peered toward Lisa's office. The light in her window remained on, and he could see Sawyer moving around inside. They were safe-for now.

Inside the office, Sawyer's phone buzzed. He checked the message and smirked when he saw Ethan's text: Sniper neutralized. You're welcome.

Sawyer shook his head and muttered, "Show-off."

Lisa looked at him questioningly. "What's going on?"

Ethan," Sawyer said simply. "He just saved your life."

Lisa's eyes went wide, but she didn't have time to react before her computer dinged. A flood of new emails arrived-tips from whistle blowers emboldened by her story.

"This is it," Lisa said, her voice filled with optimism. "This is the mo

mentum we needed."

Sawyer just nodded. "And now, we push harder than ever."