“Why not? We might be up here a while, and I think we might as well get as many eyeballs on this story as possible, especially since Umberto has satellite out here.” Carlton lifted one broad shoulder casually. “Might help us get rescued by someone who doesn’t want to kill us.”
“Good point,” I sighed and dropped my hands from my face because Carlton was absolutely right. As terrified and anxious as I was, this was a once in a lifetime story, and I had exclusive access. I shook out my stiff limbs, stretched the muscles in my face and finger-combed my hair. “Okay.”
“You look good Lacey. I mean you look good for a woman who’s been lost in the jungle for four days.”
“Thanks,” I told him and glared at his laughing face.
“The question I wonder most about in all of this madness? If the government is threatened because Umberto is right, and his ideas threaten their very existence, or is it because his ideas are just that dangerous?” I stared into the camera and shrugged. “Everyone who seeks to lead a country is convinced their ideas are right, are the best ideas for the people, but sometimes they are not.”
Leaves crackled on the ground behind me just as Umberto’s deep voice spoke. “Governments and power,” he began, holding up three large fish from a rope in one hand. “The government, any government is a machine, one that exists for the sole purpose of maintaining the status quo. The organization is more important than any one individual. These days it seems to be the other way around.”
I nodded because that shift seemed to be happening more and more around the world. “You think these officials aren’t in the government to serve the people?”
Umberto laughed, a deep and rich laugh that made him even more likable. “They sought out positions of power that allowed them to keep the system rigged for them and for people like them.”
“You understand how hard it will be for people to believe you, a very wealthy man, mean those sentiments?”
Umberto nodded. “Of course, but I worked hard to become successful. I didn’t have any advantages until I was already a success.” He smiled at me, mischief in his eyes. “Ever cleaned a fish before, Ms. Gregory?”
I nodded, happy to do something that would make me forget I was on camera. “You can call me Lacey, and I’ve cleaned and gutted more fish than I care to admit.”
“Excellent,” Umberto laughed. “It is refreshing to see a beautiful woman unafraid to get her hands dirty.”
I laughed off his compliment and walk to the mudroom that was already lined with newspaper. “I’m a Tennessee girl, fishing is how you impress boys, spend time with daddy and rustle up a quick, cheap meal.”
“You still live in Tennessee?”
“Yep. Born and raised. I left for college and came back.”
“Me too,” he answered with a smile. “No matter where you go, home is where you belong. The people here don’t care about my success, they are proud of a hometown boy succeeding, but they’d rather have my smarts making the country better than just offering a handout.”
“I find most people are like that, but everyone loves to focus on those who want nothing but a handout. Why do you think that is?”
“It riles up the masses and gets them to support legislation that goes against their best interests. And that gives the government what they need to keep lining the pockets of their designer pants.”
We talked about governments and power structures until the fish was ready to cook, Carlton unobtrusively filming it all. At the end of the interview, I smiled at Umberto. “Okay Mr. Man Of The People, let’s see how well you can fry up a fish.”
He pointed a finger at me, his expression teasing. “I will surprise you once again Lacey.”
When Umberto disappeared into the house, Carlton smiled. “That was great. You’re a natural.”
“I guess we’ll see when this interview goes live.” Never in my life had I been so grateful for my compulsive need to keep my laptop charger with the laptop wherever I went. Carson Creek Online would still exist when I got back home.
If I got back home.
Chapter 26
Levi
“Mr. GG, where are the comics?” Mickey spent the past few afternoons in the CCDJ offices because keeping track of Lacey through Carson Creek Online, while maintaining my duties for the paper as well as profiles and articles for The Old Country House had kept me plenty busy.
“Comics aren’t for papers,” GG grunted with a smile. Mickey had stolen his heart just like every other person the boy had ever met. “You want comics you buy a comic book.”
Mickey giggled. “I like comic books.”
“Of course you do,” GG grumbled to himself, still smiling.
“Grandpa, look!”
I turned just in time to see a video of Lacey and Umberto Garcia playing on network television. Before I could find the remote to crank up the volume, my phone rang and Saul’s name flashed on the screen. “What’s up Saul?”