One destination came to mind. The oil rigs had been rumored to be targets, just like the stock market. The director had gone after Blayze. He hadn't told her, because he knew she would interfere. She would have warned the weredragon. The director didn't know she had been unable to reach Blayze.
Belle had to get to the oil rig and using a CIA helicopter was now out of the question. She needed to call in a favor from the private sector. Two years ago, she had saved a billionaire's daughter from kidnappers. He had told her to call anytime she needed something. This was the time.
She locked away the illegal COM link and put in the call. "Mr. Sharkon, I need that favor you offered."
"Whatever you desire shall be provided immediately," he replied.
"You have a helicopter at your disposal, don't you? I need to borrow it."
"Where do I pick you up?" he asked.
"This could get complicated and be dangerous. You shouldn't come yourself. I'm going up against my own superior."
"It doesn't matter. Tell me where to pick you up."
"I'll come to you."
She reached his estate in record time, thanks to a private transport and her badge that gave him permission to use top speed. The helicopter was ready, with the billionaire at the controls.
"Are you certain you want to risk yourself?" she asked a final time. "Our destination is an oil rig. This concerns the weredragon incidents, and I'm on their side, not the CIA's."
"Excellent; I enjoy aiding the underdog. Just for your information, I don't believe the weredragons did this on purpose. I have informants that say it is a conspiracy and that a high-level government official is involved. The Talonians are only a means to deflect suspicion, and it is a way to remove their presence from Earth."
"Who told you that? Is there proof? What is the purpose?" Belle was stunned by the news.
"I can't tell you where the information came from. They would shut me out, and I wouldn't learn more about this matter or any other. Gaining more data can be helpful to you, correct?"
"Yes, I need all the help I can get. I'm going to tell you something, in confidence, that I haven't told my superiors. I found a small microchip in a hidden hospital suite that can control minds. It had a recording that makes me believe the weredragons are being brainwashed and used as weapons. Before you ask, I can't prove it was intended for the Talonians, nor is there anything to show who's behind it. The director is out to get the weredragons and prove they are at fault. He refuses to listen to my theory or anyone else's."
"Have you considered that he may have a part in the conspiracy? Perhaps it is his job to make everyone see the dragons as the culprits and declare them evil. He hates them, and this would serve to remove them from Earth and gain the favors of whoever is in charge, especially important if it is the government."
"Oh, my god! That hadn't crossed my mind, but it makes so much sense."
