Chapter 39
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In a modest, wheelchair-accessible home in the suburbs of Boston, Noah and Maya sat in a small living room across from David Collins. The former firefighter was a broad-shouldered man in his late forties, sitting in a mechanized wheelchair. His face was lined with a mixture of chronic pain and deep exhaustion.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing up here, Maya," David said, his voice rough. "After what Aegis put me through."
"I know, David. And I am so sorry," Maya said sincerely, leaning forward. "But Aegis is trying to do it again. They are trying to force their drug on children at the Whitmore Foundation. Silas Mercer is on national television claiming AT-7 is completely safe."
David’s jaw clenched. His right arm suddenly twitched violently, a severe, uncontrollable spasm that made him wince in visible agony. He grabbed his arm with his other hand, breathing heavily until the spasm passed.
"Safe?" David spat bitterly. "They promised me I would walk again. Instead, I get these spasms ten times a day. It feels like lightning shooting through my bones. Aegis gave me a check and told me if I ever told the press, they would sue me for breach of contract and take my house."
"They can't sue you if you are subpoenaed as a witness in a federal investigation," Noah interjected, his voice calm and steady.
David looked at Noah, taking in the young man's crutches and confident posture. "Who are you?"
"I'm Noah Whitmore. I run the foundation they are trying to buy," Noah explained. "David, I know what it’s like to be bullied by powerful men. They rely on our fear. But if you stand up and tell the truth, I promise you, I will put the entire legal weight of my foundation behind you. Aegis will not take your home. We will protect you."
David looked at his own trembling hands, then at a photograph of his young daughter on the mantle.
"Mercer is a monster," David whispered. "He looked me in the eye and told me the pain was just my body healing. He knew it was a lie."
"Help us expose him," Maya pleaded. "Help us protect those kids."
May you like
David took a deep, shuddering breath. "Okay. What do you need me to do?"
Noah pulled his cell phone from his pocket. "I need you to come to Greenwich. We are going to hold our own press conference."
