"Follow the money. It's not just a catch phrase, it really does work. I've been journeying down the rabbit hole this week and I'm closer to some answers. Answers that will blow the lid open on DIA, and what they are hiding underneath the airport."

Charlotte had begun her second podcast episode with a bang, choosing to bring up Johir right from the start. Her listeners had already begun to blow up the live comments section. They were all in, supporting the money trail. Most people would have she mused, corruption always strikes a nerve to the average Joe.

"As you know, I've said I was going to conduct some interviews of former construction workers, who were working on DIA. I found one through a contact in a major construction firm here in Denver, Carter Industries. A Mr. Jeremy Johir owns the firm."

She flipped the screen from herself to show the entrance of Carter Industries. A vague tugging in her gut made her pause briefly, but then passed. This episode was bound to upset a few people, and Johir was going to be one of those. Of that, she had no doubts.

"I can't tell you who I interviewed, for his safety and privacy, but I can tell you he used to work for Carter Industries. He had intimate details that quite frankly shocked me about the people involved with the approval processes at the airport."

Switching the screen back to herself, she exhaled. "I wasn't going to share this as I'm still not sure who was behind it, but I was followed after the interview, and I was almost killed."

The message board fired off so rapidly, it made Charlottes head spin. People were upset and wanted answers. She curbed the excitement by detailing the wreck, and the part where a blue bus picked her up.

"I'm ok folks. That's all that matters. I think, with equal measure, my luck is holding out as much as the attacks are. Plus, broadcasting this publicly gives me a bit of an advantage, as all of you will know should something worse happen."

A few people offered her private security, and more than a few said they'd email her their contact details as they were in local law enforcement.

"Redirecting the conversation, I'd like to bring up ties I've found between the New World Order and DIA. There are a few links between senators and monies that flowed into the airport. In fact, one of the former Secretaries of State had received a huge donation from Mr. Johir of Carter Industries, during the time of the airport construction. And this official resigned if you remember, for their involvement with the Freemasons. None of this is a coincidence my friends."

Charlotte wanted to share more, but she felt another tug in her gut. This time it cautioned her. She needed to be careful.

"I have more leads and I plan to flush them out over the next few days. In the meantime, if anyone has any tips for me about either Trinity Bus Company that runs at DIA or anything to do with DIA construction, please send me an email. I'll do my best to respond if I can."

She set the next podcast date for a few days away and ended the episode, giving her more time to investigate. It was about time to get ready for her lunch date with Liam.

But is it a real date?

The butterflies in her stomach indicated at least a part of her hoped so. He'd answered late last night, asking her to meet him in the parking garage where she'd met Zach for the first time. It was all very businesslike, nothing to suggest he thought anything more of it. But she couldn't stop seeing his face in her mind. There was something about him. More than just the obvious muscled façade.

Shrugging it off, she closed her laptop and began to get dressed in a nicer outfit. Date or not, she wanted to look nice. It always bolstered her confidence. And today, she knew she needed an infusion of it.

I need to play this extra cool. Liam isn't like Zach.

Finishing off her look with a swipe of red lipstick, she gathered her bag and left the hotel room. The lunch date could open up opportunities for Charlotte, opportunities to find weaknesses in the airport's security system. She desperately wanted to get back underground again. The blue star needed another look.

"Pardon me."

A man bumped into Charlotte as she rounded the corner outside of the elevator. She glanced up and was shocked to see it was the same man she'd run into before. He was tall and he gave her a warm smile. Just as he had before, he disappeared almost as quickly as he'd touched her. She rubbed her arm at the brief contact. A warmth spread quickly to her chest.

She shrugged and kept walking, out of the lobby and into the parking lot. She still didn't have her rental, and had yet to get a replacement so she swiped her phone for an Uber. Later in the day, she needed to go pick up another rental from the airport.

"Shit. I should just do it now," she muttered.

The Uber would be a minute anyway. She dialed the customer service desk at the car rental center and held her breath. A large fee was inevitable, especially after totaling a car like hers had been.

"Can we help you?"

"Yes, I have to report a wreck. Actually, my rental was totaled, two days ago, I apologize for calling so late, it's been pretty hectic.."

"Am I speaking to a Ms. Charlotte Locke?"

Charlotte answered with surprise in her voice, "yes. This is her."

"We've already taken care of your rental car. The local sheriff contacted us, and your fees were paid in full as well as a new rental covered for the remainder of the month. When would you like to pick up the new rental?"

Momentarily, she was speechless.

Someone paid for the wreckage fees? And a new rental?

"I.. I will be at the airport today. Can I come by this afternoon?"

"Absolutely. At any point, we have your sedan ready and waiting."

"Wait, who paid for everything?"

"It says confidential in our system. I can't even view who it would have been, I'm sorry."

It was unprecedented. Charlotte had never run into anything like it. She thanked the worker and got off the call right as her Uber pulled up. There wasn't time to ruminate, she needed to leave. As she got into the car, she pictured her call with Marcus. Might it have been him? They had talked last night, and he was adamant on helping her. If it was, she was grateful, but also irked. His marriage should preclude him from coming to her rescue anymore. She was anything but a third party.

Sighing, she stared out the window as the city flew by. Unlike so many times she'd traveled to conduct an interview, today she was scared. The nagging feelings in her stomach warned that something was coming. She just couldn't place what. Yet.

"You want dropped off at the top?" the Uber driver asked, glancing into the rear-view mirror.

"Yes, thank you."

The car wound its way up, until she saw the silhouette of her handsome lunch date waiting by the bank of elevators. He dressed nicely too, shedding his black uniform that Charlotte saw the last time she was at the airport, opting instead for business casual. Almost identical to how he was dressed at the restaurant last night. A fluttering resumed in her stomach.

Stop it. Keep your focus.

She paid the Uber driver and exited the car.

"If I'd known you were booking a ride I'd have picked you up." Liam said, amusement in his voice.

"It's fine. I'm picking up a replacement rental later on."

Liam simply nodded, holding out his hand to usher Charlotte into the elevator. As she passed by, he detected her perfume. She smelled of lavender and vanilla.

"So where are we having lunch?" Charlotte asked, watching Liam push the elevator button.

"I heard you liked the Mexican food. Thought you'd enjoy that again."

Charlotte smiled, "yes, it was good. But do you like it?"

Liam stared at the auburn beauty. She wanted to know if he liked it. No one asked him questions like that. Not since his wife was alive.

"I prefer a good burger, but it's.."

"Well let's get a burger then."

Charlotte grinned, further intensifying Liam's feelings. This wasn't what he'd expected.

"Alright," he quipped.

They walked through the busy airport, side by side. Charlotte tried to organize her thoughts as they carved a path in the sea of travelers. She knew she wanted to glean information on the securities schedule, as well as how many security personnel worked at the airport. If possible, she hoped to see where they watched everyone. The odds of that were slim though and she knew it. And most importantly was asking about Trinity Bus Company. Liam might give up some pertinent information if she turned on the charm.

Charlotte's phone buzzed, interrupting her train of thought. She frowned at the name. It was her CIA friend.

Charlotte, stay away from the Johir family. What the hell are you doing in Denver?