Page 5 of Blind Prophet

Last night, during dinner with Luke, our discussion circled world events and risks.All roads lead to Russia.That’s what Luke said.

I’m fairly certain he’s working on this project. I’ve seen him enter and exit the conference room. Is that why he kept talking about world news last night? He couldn’t get his mind off work. I can commiserate.

“Intelligence services across the world, the CIA included, are analyzing involvement from an opposing country. Project Unity has tasked Arrow with gaining intel on alternate possibilities.

“We have intercepted messages and threats from someone identifying as Prophet. There are no known groups or countries that identify as that name, and that has fostered a belief in the intelligence community that we might be dealing with one person or a small group,” Ryan concludes.

The screen on the back wall lights up, and a list of names in black font on a white background show. I fumble for my glasses.

With my glasses on, I scan the list, and my breathing slows and skin cools. Sophia pulling me aside before bringing me in here makes more sense now.

Amir Nooyi

Geoff Mansueto

Jiang Tu

Paola Droga

William Pearson

Halston Moore

Dorian Moore

I blink rapidly, zeroing in on the last two listed names. They’re all well-connected multibillionaires. An investigation into any of these men would require a covert approach. Dorian and Halston, his father, are the only two Americans on the list.

Rumors about a cabal of powerful men pulling strings have existed for decades. We’d be better off if such a cabal existed, as the truth is worse—no one is in control.

I recently debriefed an asset Arrow helped secure overseas. He’d been working deep undercover, investigating the syndicate, an alliance of powerful men—the men listed on the screen.

“Those listed are all part of a global alliance that has recently fractured and, as such, are persons of interest,” Ryan continues. “One theory is that one, or several, of these men is behind the plan and, possibly, identifying as Prophet.

“MI5, the British secret service, is investigating Amir Nooyi.

“Geoff Mansueto is a biotech engineer and a high-profile owner of Streamline Media. He resides in Australia, and ASIO, the Australian secret service, is monitoring him.

“Jiang Tu, a Chinese business magnate, went missing about two months ago. Sources say he’s being held by Xi against his will. If this is correct, he’s not a party to this.

“William Pearson, the CEO of Brookline, is Canadian. We’re working jointly with CSIS, Canadian intelligence, to assess the likelihood of his involvement.

“Halston and Dorian Moore are Americans. They currently reside in a compound in Colorado.” The black screen on the wall flickers to display satellite imagery of wooded mountains. “This is Halston Moore’s compound in Colorado. He’s a founding member of the fractured alliance. His compound includes eight hundred acres of heavily wooded land. He’s steadily increased security over the years.”

Haltson Moore, Dorian’s father, is an eccentric billionaire and possesses agoraphobic tendencies. He’s not on the CIA watch list, or at least he wasn’t the last time I checked.

“The Moores have the contacts and the means to orchestrate the multipronged threat we are witnessing.” Ryan pointedly looks at me. “Dorian Moore’s name is also being floated as a replacement for chief of staff.”

Halston always wanted his son to enter politics. “Conklin is stepping down?”

“Those are the rumors. It gives our investigation into the Moore men more weight, and a greater requirement for secrecy.”

“If an official government body investigates, it could be seen as playing politics,” I state.

“Precisely,” Ryan confirms.

“Caroline, you were married to Dorian Moore. What can you tell us about him?” Sophia asks, voice low, as if utilizing a low volume makes the question less intrusive.

When we went through The Farm together, I wasn’t the only candidate with a failed marriage, but I was the only well-known person in our class. I entered the class with my maiden name and never spoke of Dorian Moore, but reverting my name did nothing to diminish the class’s awareness. It took years before second glances and whispers became rare occurrences.

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