29 Media Crisis (2/2)

[Vehicular Incident on the 17th of January 1990. Subject James Houston died upon impact at standard local time 12:56]

All the other windows collapse, leaving only the one about James Houston in front of me.

I quickly scan over his details and learns a bit about his life history. Graduated at the top of his class in the training academy. Recruited by Shield before attempting to enter law and order enforcement.

Since then, James has done an incredible job at Shield Security. He was promoted to a deputy captain just before his death.

Once I have finished reading his achievements, I review the surveillance video of the accident recorded by Shield Surveillance Network.

It shows a semitrailer crashing into his car, killing him instantly.

James was heading home from work to his wife and kid at the time. Since he is now dead, he is released from his obligations to Shield.

All his private assets in Shield have been transferred over to his living family members a couple of days ago along with a very generous compensation.

His wife and son are still in morning. They miss him greatly.

I suppose James is a good husband, father and provider for his family. Since he is now dead, I will not dig up the past.

However, I still want to know how the fuck that information got out.

[Security Breech Detected. Emily Walter, born July 17, 1968.]

A new video appears in front me, showing a room where James use to work when he is at home.

The video shows a young woman in her early twenties enters the office.

This person is denoted as Emily Walter, the sister to Amanda Houston, who is James' wife. That makes her his sister-in-law.

The window pertains her information appears in front me with 80% probability that she is the leak I am looking for.

This is because she is an interim reporter.

Emily goes through some files on the bookcase before checking the desk. She pulls out the drawer and pour everything onto the table.

This is when Emily notices a folder stuck to the bottom of the drawer, and after looking through it, she left the room in a hurry.

The video reverses and freezes.

It then switches angle, zooming onto the folder contains some sensitive files. There is a picture of me and Henry talking to each other within the folder.

The cleaners have missed some of James' personal effects when they went over his office. This is really a problem when all Shield members tend to hide things in their homes.

A new rule needs to be instated immediately, making sure that all members of Shield must not bring any physical documents home, copies or otherwise. All work must be done at the office and remain at the office.

”Locate Emily Walter. I really want to have a chat with her.”

[Affirmative. Locating Emily Walter, born July 17, 1968. Located. New York City Mortuary.]

”The Morgue? She's dead? That was fast.”

Shield and Hydra has already taken her out?

It isn't very likely since they should have informed me about this leak.

[Emily Water died on the 19th of January 1990 at approximately 16:22 local standard time. The cause of death is severe internal hemorrhage due to a prior vehicular incident. Accessing information.]

A video appears for me to see.

Emily was speeding before hitting into another speeding car. Both drivers died shortly after the head on collisions.

Shield or Hydra has nothing to do with her death. It is a complete accident.

The universe does work in mysterious way sometimes.

”Great. Fucking hell, who the fuck should I blame for this then?”

While the accident has nothing to do with me or my organizations, her death did save her from being punished. Although I could bring her back to life just to punish her, is there really a point to that?

My phone rings. I pick it up without bother to look at the caller. I already know who it is.

”I assume that you saw the news, Henry. Please do something about it. I will not have my face plasters all over the media.”

”Nor do I, Mr. Maxwell. At least for something like this. However, if we do anything currently, it might confirm the allegations.”

Henry replies.

I thought about what he had said for a moment before shaking my head. If I do nothing in the face of such accusations, it opens more doors for future accusations.

”I do not allow those who makes false accusations against me or my family to live in peace. That is my principle. Make sure the station understands this and have whoever running this story fired. If you do not, then I will. And there will be a lot of collateral damages if I do.”

”I will see what I can do, Mr. Maxwell. Please give me until the schedule broadcast time.”

Henry answers after a short pause.

”Very well, and goodnight, Henry.”

I hang up after that, allowing him to do whatever he needs to do.

If he failed, I will just drop a Boeing 747 onto the station.

That will shut them up and destroy any evidence, but a lot of people are going to die in the process though.

I rather not kill a lot of people needlessly.