Web of Deception

The New York sky glittered past the penthouse office floor-to- ceiling windows of Harding Businesses. James Harding stood erect with his silver hair precisely coiffered as he stared out over the city he hoped to picture. Loaded with vibrant reporters and glittering cameras, he headed to face the room. James started, his deep voice capturing attention, "Today, I stand before you not just as a businessman but also as a citizen worried for the future of our great city."

That is the reason I am announcing my US Senate nomination. The room radiated love and camera streaks grew stronger. From the sidelines, James' son Alex praised, his emerald eyes scanning the crowd. He wore a perfectly cut suit, every inch reflecting child and efficient COO. James continued his speech, outlining his vision for a safer, sans drug New York, and Alex's thoughts wandered. He considered the other outfit he would wear tonight when he turned into another person entirely in his storage room. "The medication pandemic is destroying our networks," James said fervuously. "As your senator, I swear to end this threat from our streets!"

Alex let out a sigh.

Want his father had known the truth. Father and son withdrew to James' private room following the Q&A session. "That worked out favorably, wouldn't you say?" Pouring two glasses of scotch, James asked. Alex said, "Totally, Father," sipping the drink. "You take care of this." James shook his son's shoulder. "I couldn't have done this without Alex.

Your assistance is quite useful. Alex grinned as he drove the guilt out of his reach. Father, constantly. I will act in the required way to help you to win." Alex left his sleeping girlfriend Sarah behind as he snuck out of his luxury apartment as evening fell. He headed toward an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, throwing off his fancy suit for unremarkable dark clothing. Inside he met a bunch of stern men. One among them nodded politely and answered, "Ghost."

Now totally suited as "The Ghost," the mysterious drug lord, Alex walked to the head of the table. He asked, "Report." Alex's mind flew while his lieutenants reported back on their activities. Under his direction was the exact illegal behavior his father had pledged to stop. He still felt the difference. Sarah Harding slumped over her workspace in a crowded police area across town, surrounded by blurry reconnaissance pictures and case papers. Her blonde hair was tied up in a haphazard ponytail and black rings lined her eyes. "Again, Harding, burning the midnight oil?" her friend, criminal agent Mike Rodriguez, questioned as he dropped a fresh espresso right in front of her. Sarah looked heavenward, thankfully. "Apologize, Mike.

I feel as though I am approaching something important. On her computer window, she pointed to a fuzzy picture. "This is the closest we have seen thus far with an obvious chance for "The Phantom." Should we be able to only identify him, we will fully disclose this whole scenario." Leaching in, Mike stared at the picture. "It still seems somewhat confused.

How could you be sure this is even his?" Looking determined through her blue eyes, Sarah "Call that gut. Though he has been three steps ahead of us for years, this man is getting more bold. At last he will make a mistake. Alex texted Sarah saying, "Working late again?" while she was talking. You miss me. Keep in mind dinner with Father tomorrow night. Sarah grinned, writing out a quick answer before returning to work. She didn't know the man she was hunting and the man she loved were the same man.

Alex closed the assembly back in the stockroom. "Keep a low profile for the next few weeks," he told his staff. "This Senate race is going to get quite hot. Any mistakes are unacceptable to us financially." Alex's right-hand woman, Elena Vasquez stayed behind when his men left. "Boss, are you sure on this? Your father's campaign is going to complicate things. Alex tightened his teeth. "Eleanor, I underlie control over it. Just keep yourself on target." Elena nodded, but her eyes suggested doubt. " ghosts, whatever you say."

Alex's head spun with the complexity of his triple life as he progressed home in the pre-first light hours. He was a loving son who supported his father in realizing his political ambitions. He was Sarah's loving boyfriend and backed her law enforcement path. He also went by "The Ghost," the most feared and elusive drug kingpin in the city. How long could he keep this many plates spinning at any one time? Just as Alex was getting back into bed, Sarah's alarm rang. She stood up, looking sleepily at him. " Hello, you!

When first entered?

He lied easily, "Just a little while ago." "A big work effort. The state of your case is what? Sarah had glitter in her eyes. "We seem almost at a breakthrough here. This might be the best bust of my career." Alex kept his face calm even though his heart was racing. "That's just great, honey. That makes me glad for you. Alex lie in bed looking at the roof while Sarah got ready for work. He thought of his father's fervent anti-drug speech, Sarah's relentless search of "The Ghost," and his own business based on the same thing they both sought to eradicate. Later that morning, Alex looked over campaign plan papers in his Harding Industries office. One of his street-level dealers sent a note on his phone, "Feds closing in on the east side operation." Need fast extraction.

Alex's finger danced over the phone. His words might either save his troops or send them to the authorities. Which is it? The selfless Ghost, the loyal son? Before he could decide, he got a knock at his door. James came shining. "Alex, dear! Your child My just meeting with the Police Commissioner was rather interesting. We have found the right story for our severe on-wrongdoing stage, I believe. Alex grinned, his phone feeling like a live wire in his hand. "That's amazing, dad. Please let me know about it. Alex felt the walls of his neatly constructed life start to close in as James sent off into a world of increased police presence and tougher condemning rules.

His father's political ambitions, Sarah's research, and his own criminal empire were all running counter to each other. Someone would have to give something. Be that as it may, what? At what cost as well? Looking at the grainy picture of "The Ghost" in the precinct, Sarah had a gnawing feeling in the rear of her head. One of home was reminded of by the man's stance and his set of shoulders. She shook her head to discount the idea. Her judgment was being distorted by the obsession of the case. Her phone rang; Alex answered. "Hello, dear. Keep in mind that today dinner with Dad will be at seven. He has to look over wedding plans.

Forgetting her prior worry, Sarah grinned. I'm here right now. Please love you. Sarah went back to the picture on her screen as she hung it. The hazy picture seemed to sharpen for a short second to reveal a pair of shockingly matching green eyes. Sarah hesitated; the second passed. As the picture went back to its previous blurry state, she felt a residual discomfort that she couldn quite shake. Sarah had no idea; her life was about to flip upside down.

She would never have imagined the lines separating affection, constancy, and justice blurting in behavior. As the sun sank below New York City, three folks were getting ready for a family supper. Every one of them harbored secrets that would wipe out their world. James Harding rehearsed his campaign speeches while blissfully unaware of the conflict developing inside his own family. Driven to crack the toughest case of her career, Sarah Harding gathered her case notes. And Alex Harding looked in the mirror, considering which of himself would have dinner tonight. The scene was made for an effect of worlds. Who might be left standing in the ring of veils and secrets when truth at last became visible?