Chapter 4
Threads of Deceit
INT. SVU SQUAD ROOM – DAY
The team was spread thin, chasing down leads that seemed to evaporate as quickly as they appeared. Velasco was on the phone, trying to trace the financial transactions linked to Jonathan Reid. Rollins was reviewing witness statements, searching for patterns or inconsistencies. Fin was grilling a low-level informant for any information on "The Eye."
Olivia watched the controlled chaos, a knot tightening in her stomach. This wasn't just about rescuing Anna's children—it was about dismantling a system that preyed on the most vulnerable.
INT. BRENNAN'S LAB – JEFFERSONIAN INSTITUTE – DAY
Miles away in Washington, D.C., Dr. Temperance Brennan and her team examined skeletal remains with meticulous precision. Bones Booth leaned against the doorway, watching with a mixture of fascination and impatience.
"So, what have you got, Bones?" Booth asked. "Any clues about this 'Eye' thing?"
Brennan held up a skull, her expression serious. "There are subtle but unmistakable signs of trauma to the frontal lobe. Tiny fractures, consistent with repetitive, non-lethal blows."
Camille Saroyan, head of the forensic division, stepped closer. "It could be the result of crude lobotomies. Or… repeated exposure to high-frequency sound waves."
Booth frowned. "Like what Anna was talking about? The Hertz levels?"
Brennan nodded. "The physical evidence suggests manipulation of the brain."
"This isn't just about erasing memories," Hodgins added excitedly, "it's about rewriting them."
INT. CHICAGO PD – INTELLIGENCE UNIT – DAY
Voight's team was digging into Sun Street Holdings, following the money trail that led from Anna's doctor to a complex network of shell corporations.
"We've got a match," Halstead announced, pointing to a name on the screen. "Harold Sunstreet—neurologist, former CIA consultant, linked to MK-Ultra."
Erin Lindsay leaned in. "MK-Ultra? The mind control project?"
Voight's eyes narrowed. "It's all connected. They're using the same techniques, the same players, the same lies."
Antonio Dawson entered the room, his face grim. "We just found a body. Young woman, barcode tattoo behind her ear. Sun Street Holdings address in her pocket."
Voight swore under his breath. "They're getting sloppy. Or they want us to find them."
INT. SVU SQUAD ROOM – NIGHT
Olivia gathered the team, the pieces of the puzzle starting to fit together.
"Brennan's team confirmed brain trauma consistent with frequency manipulation. Voight's team found a body linked to Sun Street. We're closing in."
Prentiss spoke up, her voice grave. "Reid's been reviewing the old MK-Ultra files. He found a reference to a project called 'Mockingbird'—using journalists and media outlets to spread disinformation. They're controlling the narrative, as well as the victims."
Reid nodded. "They're creating a parallel reality, where truth is a weapon and lies are the only defense."
Olivia's gaze swept across the room, settling on each member of the team. "We're not just fighting a case. We're fighting a war for the truth. And we can't afford to lose."
End of Chapter 4