Lane von Herzen: The Only Appropriate Point of Conversation

My Third Novel's Conclusion, My Heartbreak

My heart begins to break when I think about completing this particular book -- because this narrative has sustained me like no other story I've known. It's both more personal and more universal than my other works. But beyond memory and archetype, it's a cri-de-coeur about needing to become the person one is destined to be. And in the writing, I have met my own life's work, my own fated journey -- having the sense all the while that the pages are suffused with a resonance, an energy, an electrified field that defies explanation. Writers hope and pray to be overtaken by a work in this way -- to be conscripted into passionate service of a profound story. To experience it even once in a lifetime seems a great privilege. I still have several months before this novel is complete, and this constitutes my reprieve. Because I'm not ready for the beauty to end.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

The Only Appropriate Point of Conversation

OIG Hotline, I have offered up to $20,000 reimbursement to a courier to bring me a full copy of investigative reports regarding my case.

Please understand that this is not intended in any manner to represent a political donation, but rather a direct reimbursement for secure conveyance of documents.

If there were any wrongful attempt to mischaracterize such a reimbursement as a political donation, I could be disqualified from receiving settlements awarded in my name.

Therefore, I would respectfully request that should anyone from a particular political party elect to convey investigative reports to me in person, accepting remuneration from your Office in a manner that could possibly be interpreted by anyone in any context as a donation, your Office determine a separate and equal consideration to an opposing political party in order to avoid any possibility of disqualification of my receipt of my awards.

In other words, please prevent any possibility that I could be disqualified from receiving settlements awarded to me on the basis of conveyance of reports to me or on the basis of a conversation in which I could be requested to make a donation of any kind.

To be clear, the only appropriate point of conversation any politician could possibly raise with me at this point pertains to my case, my reports, my settlements, and the critical implications for the sovereignty of the nation as a whole.

Any attempt to request donations at this juncture would represent a profound conflict of interest, and one in which I cannot engage.

While I can listen to others carefully, I cannot be wrongfully implicated of malfeasance in that process. So I need to be provided with the assurance that others who seek to speak with me about my case will approach me truthfully and honestly, with an insistence on not causing me further loss or harm.

OIG Hotline, I am a highly ethical and lawful person. I believe in integrity, honesty, and courage in defense of the most important human rights Americans will possess in the long term future.

And I can be relied upon to hold to these standards in any and every situation.

I ask that others who approach me commit to uphold my standards as well.

The American people are worthy of this level of dedication and high character.

Together, the best leaders can offer them no less.

Thank you for allowing me to express these concerns.

Most sincerely,