Lady in Red Pt. 02 Ch. 11

Once again the meeting room became unruly. There were gasps of shock and surprise at Gwen's statements. Several senators tried to speak at the same time. Reporters were buzzing with the new developments.

The chairman began hammering the gavel. It took a couple of minutes before the room once again became quiet and she addressed Gwen. "You're aware that you'll not go unchallenged when making wild accusations like that, are you not?"

"We're here to spread the gospel, Madam Chairman. Everything either of us states will not only be true, but will have hard evidence to support it, unlike the CIA!" retorted Gwen with emotion.

"Then, to continue my line of questioning, I'll ask the question that everyone is certainly expecting. Would you be so kind as to prove your accusations to the committee members?" sneered Senator Burrows.

"I'll let Steve handle this part since he was a participant. I want to warn you that what you're about to see and hear is graphic, crude, and not suitable for children, or queasy adults. The language used by Steve and Chip Martin is the language of men under stress, and is not condoned, or used by either in ordinary conditions."

"When the exchange was made for the children, my hands were cuffed behind my back," recalled Steve. "I was struck at least twice in the head and rendered unconscious. What I am about to show you is video from the very camera used by the terrorists that day. When you see the content, you will have no doubt of the validity of my statement. As Gwen has already stated, this is pretty graphic."

Lady in Red Productions had asked for, and received permission to install several large monitors in the meeting room. What they had not told the committee was that the monitors would be controlled by their employees only. When Steve finished speaking, lights dimmed and a video began playing on the monitors.

Fifteen minutes later, the lights brightened and the monitors went blank. Silence ensued for the next minute or so. Many of the people in the room were visibly shaken by the video that had just played.

"You two were in possession of this video and did not turn it in to the government?" asked the stunned chairman. "How do you justify that?"

"We don't trust the government, or at least parts of it, at the moment," replied Gwen. "You saw the email Steve sent to me and several friends. It never reached any of us, but within two hours of its transmission, a Hellfire missile targeted that warehouse. It's our belief that the CIA, or at least some of its employees and staff, wanted Steve dead to further its agenda. That is not the sort of thing the country we love, honor, and serve would ever do. We'll gladly give you a copy now. I should mention that a few minutes ago, it was forwarded to every news organization we could think of. This is going to be difficult to cover up, or put a 'shine on' now, wouldn't you say, Madam Chairman?"

"Ms. Anderson? Mr. Hammer?" began the furious lady chairman. "I'm recommending that you both be found in contempt for concealing evidence from this committee! I'm instructing the Sergeant at Arms to take you both into custody."