Driving inbound to Washington from Annapolis, Mark Cahill was acutely aware of the increasing pressure and heat he felt, pressure and heat generated by his news editor for going fallow on the Salston family story.

Ever since he phoned in from northern New Hampshire looking to pull the story, management monitored his efforts, no longer trusting his judgment in following a story.

Mark wrestled with his conscience, weighing the humanity and decency of the Salstons with the needs of the organisation for which he worked.

Over the last month, he carefully followed the trail, but failed to turn in a single story of note, only rehashes of what others already shared with the public. The trail led from New Hampshire to Vermont to Langley, and now…Chesapeake Bay.

The world knew Barbara Millwood in effect raided the Central Intelligence Agency, taking back llhaesa, while arresting Chris Wilson and Kevin Donahue. Beyond this incident, Barbara claimed the Salstons were in a safe place. Mark pondered where Barbara might look to hide someone, and to suss out possible locations, he dug into Barbara’s background – which led to the Naval Academy.

Mark’s timing proved impeccable. He arrived at the Academy for a look around – and spotted Barbara walking with Ronnie and llhaesa Salston. They entered a building, but failed to emerge for almost four hours, and when they finally did, the Salstons appeared with new hairstyles.

Mark had imagery of the three, and therein was another root of his dilemma – should he turn in the photos with an accompanying story, and by so doing place the Salstons at great risk, or hold the photos and story and lose his employment?

Mark decided on a middle road approach, and so he was almost into Washington, on his way to the Department of Justice – and Barbara Millwood’s office.

A half hour later, security checked him on the way into the building, asking his purpose for visiting. Mark boldly called out his intent to meet with Barbara, produced his credentials, and pronounced his willingness to wait all day if necessary. He only waited forty-five minutes.

Barbara agreed to meet with the reporter – after she checked his reporting background, finding his reputation above reproach. Barbara’s assistant showed Mark into Barbara’s office, where Barbara greeted him with professional courtesy. “Hello, Mr Cahill. How may I help you?”

“I trust you are aware of my involvement with breaking the Salston story, Attorney General. I am in a rather uncomfortable place; my employers are questioning my judgement for wishing to pull that story after its submission, while I have information that you are keeping the Salstons on or around the Naval Academy.”

Barbara looked at Mark with piercing and probing eyes. “How did you learn of this, Mr Cahill? This is a legal and safety matter, and that information is classified.”

Mark knew he came here to level with Barbara, even if he still felt his reporter instinct not to reveal his source of information. In this case, no other was involved. “I checked your background, Barbara. When I saw you graduated – with honours – from the Naval Academy, it seemed a logical place to look around.

As it happened, I saw you and the Salstons walk into a building shortly after my arrival. Nice dos!”

Barbara sighed, feeling a powerful urge to kick herself for such incredible stupidity. “OK, you saw us there. You have not reported this fact, and so I must wonder why you are here today.”

Mark failed to answer immediately, and Barbara could see him struggling to assemble an answer. “My conscience is blocking this story, Attorney General. If I fail to turn it in and my employer learns of this, my job is gone. If I publish the story, the Salstons are in grave danger.

I’m looking for someone else to make that decision for me.”

“If you are looking for me to order you to hold that information, I have no legal basis for such an order, Mr. Cahill,” Barbara answered forthrightly. What I will do is appeal to your sense of humanity – and to your sense of responsibility to humanity. Those who wish to exploit llhaesa wish to do so in ways that will prove advantageous to them, not so much to llhaesa, her family, or the rest of us.

I suspect you are right – a reporter who would show up in my office, instead of publishing what is clearly a headlining story, quite frankly is toast as a reporter. You have to live with your choice, either way. Funny thing is, I think I know how you will choose.

Since you are honest with me, I will share that Jamila Karenga has interviewed the Salstons, and tomorrow Jamila will announce the interview will air the following day.

Would you like an interview, Mr. Cahill?”

Mark digested this new information – Jamila’s interview, and the apparent willingness and offer for Mark to do a written interview. “I would like that, Attorney General. That would appeal to my editor, I think.”

“Very well,” Barbara spoke as she reached out with her hand to seal the verbal agreement. “I will first check with the Salstons, but I trust it will be ok. There will be no discussion of this by phone. Return to this office in two days, and I will have your answer for you.”

Two days later, Mark received an affirmative answer, with the interview scheduled for the day following Jamila’s broadcast. Barbara promised to meet him at the Academy. Mark stayed in a local hotel, and just prior to the scheduled meet time, he double checked his camera, removing the digital card and replacing it in order that he have a full complement of pictures available.

He placed the card inside his suitcase, right on top of a pair of jeans; that way, he would not forget its presence. He drove the short distance to the Academy, and met Barbara at the prearranged place. They boated out, first circling the yacht, then coming back toward it.

Mark could take pictures onboard and inside only; anything that implied or suggested ‘boat’ was not allowed in a picture.

Not knowing Mark, the family was cautious, though llhaesa’s instincts suggested he was trustworthy. The interview lasted 4 hours, and turned into discussion on issues facing the world, with llhaesa realising Mark was someone who looked to make a difference somewhere in life.

Barbara returned at dusk, bringing Mark back to shore. Tired, Mark ordered a sandwich from room service, worked on his interview some, and decided it was better to get a good night’s sleep, then tackle the interview editing in the morning.

Rising at seven am, he walked out of the bath, towel circling his waist even though he was alone. He moved to grab clothing for the day, ready to grab his jeans out of the open suitcase. Something was missing that he left there yesterday – the flash card! Mark rummaged and emptied, but the flash card left on his jeans was gone. Certain that he left it visible such that the card not be lost, a chill ran down Mark’s back.

Looking around the room, there were a few items not quite as left it the morning before, though someone carefully arranged his things in close approximation to what was there before it was disturbed. Someone had been here – and someone had pictures of the Salstons at the Academy.

By the time Mark was able to get a warning to Barbara, it would prove too late.