“So?” Minji sat in the chair across from him, tucking one foot under her butt and crossing one leg over the other.
“I just wanted to let you know that you won’t be questioned anymore even though you’re going to hear a lot about an official inquiry into the matter by the government. Everything has been resolved behind the scenes. The rest is just bread and circuses to placate the media and let a bunch of politicians grandstand.”
“Are they going to tell everyone what really happened?”
“No, they won’t. Even though Russia, China and the European Union are pointing at the United States demanding answers, what they’ll get is an approved pack of lies.”
Minji shook her head in disbelief. Already there were wild theories surrounding the event. The fact that the mesmerized appeared to be drawn to the Nevada desert had ignited the fervor of the conspiracy nuts. Of course, in this case they were right about secret bases and experiments. Most were convinced the event happened due to alien technology.
“Who’s taking the fall?”
Alec chuckled. “Honestly, they’re just going to say they have no idea why it happened and vow to sink billions of dollars into finding out the cause.”
“And what about you?”
“What about me?” Alec took a long sip of his iced tea.
“Did they give you a reward? A medal? Something?”
“Something.”
Minji rolled her eyes.
“I’ll be okay, Minji. So will you. I’ve seen to it. There were feathers ruffled over me not following my orders to the T, but it actually worked out that we didn’t set off the bomb. Imagine if they had to explain why they nuked an area in Nevada and killed hundreds of thousands of American citizens.”
Fidgeting slightly, she said, “You pointed that out to them?”
“Of course.”
“Who are you really, Alec?”
“I’m just a guy.”
“Bullshit.”
Alec smirked. “I’m no one important.”
“More bullshit.”
Alec took a big bite of his taco and made a point of chewing.
Growing somber, Minji leaned forward, checking to make sure the girls and Jake hadn’t entered the house.
“What is it, Minji?”
“There’s something I haven’t told you. That night I wanted to, but it was all too fresh and raw. I was a little overwhelmed.”
“I know. I saw that thing. I still see it my nightmares.”
“Me, too. Anyway, I thought about telling you then, but I started to doubt myself. Besides, we were both caught up in the aftermath.”
Alec nodded.
Eyes burning with emotion, Minji braced herself to reveal what had her waking in the middle of the night screaming in terror while Jake tried to comfort her. "I’ve struggled about whether or not to tell you this. A part of me feels by divulging this information I’m somehow making it more real. Like the words themselves will give it life. But...I can’t...I can’t pretend it’s not real anymore.”
“Minji?” Alec touched her hand lightly. “What is it?”