The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 9: The Net Tightens

The next morning, sunlight filtered through Adam's curtains as he sat at his desk, staring at the files he had copied from Jared's devices. His mind raced as he sifted through folders, piecing together a picture of Jared's operations. Bank transactions linked to untraceable offshore accounts, chat logs discussing "shipments," and a ledger filled with names, dates, and amounts—enough to sink Jared if handled properly.

Adam rubbed his temples. He couldn't just turn this over to the police. Jared likely had connections within law enforcement, people who would warn him or bury the evidence. Adam needed a more creative solution.

He leaned forward, fingers tapping nervously against the desk. "Alright, System. Let's start small."

The system's response was clear and decisive:

Adam jotted down her name, his thoughts already racing ahead. If Karen Price was as thorough as the system suggested, she could ensure Jared's activities were brought to light. But contacting her came with its own risks.

---

Later that afternoon, Adam sat at the park again, his laptop open on a bench. Children laughed and played nearby, their carefree energy a stark contrast to the tension in Adam's life. He searched for Karen Price's work online, reading through her articles. She had a reputation for exposing corruption in city politics, drug rings, and corporate fraud. Her latest piece had even sparked an internal investigation at City Hall.

Satisfied, Adam drafted an anonymous email, attaching a few key documents from Jared's hard drive. He kept the message short:

"I have information on illegal activities tied to Jared Mercer. More files are available upon request. Contact me here if interested."

He set up a burner email account and hit send, his heart pounding.

---

Back at his apartment, Adam decided to use his second question to prepare for any fallout.

Adam swallowed hard. The system's warnings were always precise, and this one carried an extra weight. He needed to ensure that Jared couldn't trace the leak back to him.

He spent hours that evening encrypting his laptop, wiping the burner email account after checking it for replies, and taking every precaution he could think of.

---

The reply came two days later, a brief message from Karen Price.

"The information you sent checks out. If you have more, I'm interested. Let's arrange a meeting. Anonymity guaranteed."

Adam read the message three times, debating his next move. A meeting with Karen could be exactly what he needed—or it could be a trap. He needed the system's input.

The system's response brought a mix of relief and caution.

Adam exhaled. He could make this work.

---

Two days later, Adam found himself at the agreed meeting spot: a bustling coffee shop downtown. The location was perfect—crowded, noisy, and public enough to deter anyone from trying anything reckless.

Karen Price was easy to spot. She was in her late 30s, with sharp features and a confident air. Her dark hair was pulled into a loose bun, and she wore a leather jacket over a crisp blouse. She sat at a corner table with a laptop, her eyes scanning the room.

Adam approached cautiously, keeping his hood up. "Karen?"

She looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly before softening. "You must be my source. Sit down."

Adam took the seat across from her, keeping his voice low. "Did you verify the files?"

Karen nodded. "They're legit. But I need more if I'm going to publish a story this big. Jared Mercer isn't just some small-time crook. He's tied to people who don't take kindly to exposure."

Adam slid a USB drive across the table. "This has everything. Names, transactions, operations. Enough to bring down his whole network."

Karen picked it up, slipping it into her bag without hesitation. "Why are you doing this?"

Adam hesitated. "Let's just say he made it personal."

Karen studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll contact you if I need clarification. Stay safe."

---

As Adam left the coffee shop, he felt a strange mix of relief and unease. The wheels were in motion, and there was no turning back.

That night, the system's text appeared unprompted, glowing in the dark room:

Adam clenched his fists. He wasn't just playing defense anymore. He was fighting back. And with the system at his side, he was ready for whatever came next.