“Earlier today, I received a very threatening email,” James said to those around him. “Deliver the fully deciphered document or have SkyTech’s computers hacked with the intention of destroying our files. I didn’t take this seriously until it became reality.”
“How did they get in?” Trish asked. “The National Security Agency has some very strict systems access regulations with companies like SkyTech who carry out threat analysis on their behalf.”
“They got in through the admin account,” James said.
“That must have been some hack,” she said. “I presume your password changes every day.”
“It does,” James said. “And the intruder knew what today’s was. It came through the dedicated fax line between the NSA and SkyTech. It was by way of demonstration that the email threat was serious.”
“So, someone knew the fax number,” she said, thoughtfully. “And that’s why you asked me about it on our call.”
“And that someone is Joseph Müller,” James said, with conviction.
“I would assume then that the login credentials came from within SkyTech itself,” she said.
“They did,” James said. “Sven, please pass me your flash drive. Do you want to get yourself another drink, or have Antoine fix you up something?”
Hand shaking, Sven passed the flash drive to James and walked out the room. Trish looked confused. Yvonne was now extremely concerned. Neither knew what was going on.
“Before I go any further,” James said, facing Trish and Yvonne. “You need to know that our data is currently in the process of getting corrupted by a very annoying virus. Emily and Nathan already know the situation, and Phil, our system’s admin, is keeping it contained as best as possible. He will phone me immediately if it becomes more of a threat than it already is. As it stands now, Müller is untouchable, but that situation will soon change.” He didn’t elaborate.
“What can I do to help?” Trish asked.
“At the moment, it’s important to determine whether Kubacki’s document poses a threat to OPEC or the economy,” James said. “I need that answer, and I need it fast.”
Yvonne spoke up, “Surely Sven could…”
“Sven is just a developer with SkyTech,” James interrupted, before Yvonne said something that Trish wasn’t privy to. “But he’s also at the centre of what now takes priority above all else.”
James walked over to Sven’s laptop, turned it to face the others, and plugged in the flash drive. The video started automatically. Neither Emily nor Nathan had the stomach to watch it again and stepped out the dining room to find Sven.
For the next minute, Yvonne and Trish sat in stunned silence as the video played.
“The little girl you’ve just seen is Kayla, Sven’s seven-year-old daughter,” James said. “Regardless of any consequences resulting from virus’s or authentic documentation, my priority is to rescue her from the clutches of those barbarians.”
“My God,” Yvonne said bowing her head in despair.
“They snatched Kayla from the care of Sven’s mother who provides after-school care. Sven found the poor woman tied and gagged. A few hours later that flash drive arrived through regular mail.”
Yvonne now clearly understood Sven’s drastic change in behaviour.
“Kayla was born prematurely; at thirty weeks, in fact. She’s a healthy young girl, but an early birth resulted in a slower than normal learning ability. Sven also lost his wife, Elena, at that time.”
Yvonne knew nothing of Sven’s past, but was familiar with the various problems caused by premature birth, many being mental impedance. Fists tightly clenched, her knuckles were white. She had tears in her eyes.
“The thing is,” James continued. “Kayla is an incredibly loving and trusting child. She’s in a situation she doesn’t understand. Right now, she’s completely lost and confused.”
“All because of pathetic little power games between adults,” Yvonne whispered to herself, in anger.
“Why the hell are they beating her?” Trish said, grinding her fist in the palm of her other hand.
“Trish, I understand that there’s nothing you can do,” James said. “Müller runs his own security department and you can only intervene if he does something wrong. I know this is all his dirty work, but how to prove it?”
“I agree,” Trish said. “And I can guarantee that his hands will be clean. This will be impossible to lay on him. He has thugs on his private payroll all over the country willing to do his bidding.”
“I can also tell you why they’re beating Kayla,” he said. “That was entirely for Sven’s benefit. Müller’s message is clear. This isn’t an empty threat. He wants Kubacki’s document.”
“Goddammit, James,” Trish said. “We can’t just send it to him without complete authentication that there’s no danger. Please understand, I’m not trying to be the obstacle here, I’ve got to weigh this very carefully.”
“I understand, Trish,” James said, sincerely.
“Dammit,” she barked, slamming her hand on the table. “This is an impossible choice.” She was only now beginning to understand just how underhanded Müller had become.
James looked around, dropped his head slightly and lowered his voice. “I don’t think it will matter one way or the other. Even if Müller gets what he wants, the chances of ever seeing Kayla alive again are slim.”
Yvonne buried her hands in her face.
Chapter Seventy-Four
Nathan and Emily came back to the dining room with Sven. He looked even more doleful than before.
“Sven,” James said, with assurance. “The safe return of Kayla is our main concern here. We’ve got this.” Regardless of Trish’s trepidations, James would make Kayla his top priority. Sven was certainly in no condition to think clearly, so James hoped that Nathan had some ideas. At this stage, any lead would do.
Sven sat down, and Yvonne moved in a little closer to try and comfort him. She understood exactly what he was going through, but the difference was that her twins hadn’t been beaten up by some brute. She was horrified at the thought and couldn’t get the images of Kayla’s bruised and frightened face out of her mind. That poor, innocent and defenceless child; alone and no understanding of what was happening or why. Tears started welling in her eyes again.
“Trish,” Emily said, abruptly. “If I recall from the surveillance video, the exact time was two forty-five p.m. when Kubacki’s mine exploded and wiped out the drone.”
“Yeah, I remember that,” Nathan said.
“Isn’t that also the time Trans-Commercial’s 737 ran into trouble?” she asked, looking to the others. “The Federal Aviation Authority stated that it wasn’t equipment failure and cleared all 737s for normal service.”
Trish was suddenly way ahead of Emily. “The FAA also stated that something hit the portside engine causing it to disintegrate and create that large hole in the side of the passenger compartment. Emily, you’re a genius.”
Trish looked at the time. It was eight p.m., making it five at Groom Lake. She grabbed her phone and punched in a number.
Emily looked at her. “What are you thinking?”
“One sec,” Trish said, acknowledging Emily. “Good afternoon, staff-sergeant, Director LaForgue here. Is Major Kovak still on base? Please put me through.” Trish waited a few moments. “Kovak, Trish LaForgue. I need you to do something for me immediately. You know that Trans-Commercial that ran into trouble? Take the Huey to McCarran and get hold of whoever stripped and catalogued the remains of its engine. There’s a slight chance that they came across a lump of lodestone… Great, get back to me directly with any news and it doesn’t matter on the time. Transfer me back to the communications centre and I’ll have everything cleared with the base commander. Good luck.”