EPILOGUE - TWO WEEKS LATER

Almost everything went as planned. The story got out in print and online, and it got massive attention. Kory Industries quickly lost control of the hotel, which was sold to a close friend of the Figero family. The city government relaxed its restrictions and the mayor announced police reform. I began seeing Facebook posts in support of Jake Brown, and newspapers reported about Brown copycats around the country.  

Williams blew up my phone, threatening personal lawsuits that I knew a small-fry newspaper editor couldn’t afford. After about five days, his calls dried up, and a day after that I heard from Rasmussen. He told me he was impressed and asked how I managed to pursue the story and publish it without Will’s permission. I told him the truth besides three lies: that Jake Brown was a real person, that the conspiracy against Figero was real, and that I’d persuaded Will to let me write it. Finally he asked if I could start on the Metro desk in a few days. Of course I accepted. I had a night out on the town with a few escorts. 

My first day of work was on a Monday. I woke up extra early, put on my best suit, and took the subway to the newsroom. I saw Rasmussen waiting out front, just like he promised. I smiled from ear to ear as I approached. 

“POLICE! GET ON YOUR KNEES!”

An officer tackled me from behind and slapped on the handcuffs. He began reciting my Miranda rights. 

“Please, officer! I’m not trespassing, it’s just my first day of work! Dr. Rasmussen, please tell them!”

“Are you trying to save your ass, or are you so screwed up that you think you’re innocent?” Rasmussen said. 

Then the door of the Times opened and Will Williams walked out. 

“I won’t spoil all the details — you’ll have plenty of time to read all about it in prison,” Rasmussen continued with a nasty grin. “Between our phone calls, my chats with Will, and the articles you wrote, we managed to piece together what happened. Then I lured you into the arrest with the fake promotion offer. Now that you’ve crossed state lines this could be federal, baby!”

“But it’s not my fault! You told me to think outside the box, to connect the dots!”

“Like that’ll hold up in court,” Williams said. And I knew he was right.

The officer forced me into the back of his squad car. Before he closed the door Rasmussen tossed a copy of the Times onto my lap. “Enjoy. Hollywood’s already fiending after the film rights. Maybe you’ll get to watch it at a movie night in 25 years.”

Williams approached as well. “As of this morning Kory is back in charge of the hotel and they’re sticking it to the locals. They even lobbied the city council to increase the police budget. So your half-cocked adventure cost us, although I doubt you care.”

I opened my mouth to say that of course I cared, but before I could respond the officer shut the door and Rasmussen and Williams walked off. On the ride to the police station I took a look at the front page. 

Jonathan Wortman’s dangerous and delusional attempt to improve the conditions on Manitou Island set back the community and will land him in prison for decades. 

Wortman, a former reporter for the Manitou News, theorized that Kory Industries ordered the death of a local businessman to boost its profits. Wortman then created and assumed the persona of Jake Brown, a rebel who killed two and committed countless felonies in an effort to punish and expose Kory, the Manitou Hotel, and the local government. (continued on p.15, see Wortman)