2025-12-14 00:07:00The woman was striking in a way that had nothing to do with makeup or artifice. Her natural locs were pulled into a professional updo, designer glasses framing her intelligent eyes, she looked early thirties with the kind of confidence that came from competence rather than arrogance.
She gestured toward Damien's dead laptop. "Seriously, I might be able to help. Data recovery is literally what I do for a living."
Damien looked at her skeptically. "You
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CHAPTER 159
Kevin Gavin explained his plan while the command center listened with rapt attention. His voice was steady despite the pressure weighing on every word."I have been studying Robert Carlos's coding patterns for hours," Kevin said. "Every programmer has a signature. Signature means unique ways they structure code, favorite algorithms, repeated syntax."He pulled up screens showing lines of malware code. Kevin identified Carlos's signature throughout the malware. Specific patterns that appeared again and again."If I can predict how Carlos generates encryption keys based on that signature, I might be able to recreate the key without his cooperation," Kevin explained.Torres leaned forward. "How likely is this to work?""Honestly?" Kevin adjusted his glasses. "It is a long shot. Encryption keys are designed to be impossible to guess, but Carlos's ego left breadcrumbs I can work with."He pointed at specific code structures. "He
CHAPTER 158
Torres put the call on speaker so Damien and the task force could hear. Her hand was steady as she pressed the button but her jaw was tight.Robert Carlos sounded relaxed, like he was calling to discuss dinner plans rather than cyberterrorism. His voice had an easy confidence that made everyone in the room tense."I am prepared to give you the decryption key," Carlos began. "All I want in return is complete immunity from prosecution and fifty million dollars transferred to an offshore account."Torres responded coldly. "We do not negotiate with traitors. You will be found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."Carlos laughed. The sound was light and mocking. "In forty-seven minutes, everything you have worked for disappears into the hands of foreign governments and criminal organizations."He paused to let that sink in. "I have already received bids from three countries and two cartels. The going price for U.S. military in
CHAPTER 157
FBI cyber specialists scrambled to identify and stop whatever malware Robert Carlos deployed. Computer screens glowed in the darkened command center as fingers flew across keyboards desperately.They traced his digital footprint to a server farm in Virginia within thirty minutes. The location was isolated in an industrial park surrounded by empty warehouses.But when agents raided it, they found the servers were rigged with physical explosives set on timers. Red digital displays counted down from forty-five minutes in a steady rhythm.The bomb squad was called in to disarm them while cyber teams tried to extract data before it was destroyed. Men in protective gear moved carefully around the wires and circuit boards.Torres realized Carlos had been planning this for weeks, maybe months. Every move had been calculated and every contingency prepared for.Every piece of evidence the FBI recovered was stored on networked systems that Carl
CHAPTER 156
Torres immediately made calls to have all three suspects detained. Her fingers moved across her phone screen rapidly issuing commands to field teams across the country.FBI agents descended on Robert Carlos's office in the Cyber Division within twenty minutes. Armed and prepared for resistance. But he was not there.His desk had been cleared out completely. No personal items or files. His computer was wiped clean with thoroughness.He disappeared hours ago, likely warned by Agent Miller before Miller's arrest. The timeline suggested Carlos had at least a six-hour head start."Damn it," Larry muttered looking at the empty office. "He knew we were coming. Miller must have gotten a message out somehow."Sarah Mitchell at the Department of Defense was found at her desk. She was calmly packing files into a leather briefcase when agents entered her office.When agents tried to question her, she smiled and said, "I have been expect
CHAPTER 155
Torres flew to Prague within forty-eight hours. Agent Larry accompanied her as required by protocol. The flight was long and filled with strategic planning.Damien insisted on joining them despite warnings that it was too dangerous. He needed to face Volkov himself now that he knew the full truth about Marcus's betrayal.Simone begged him not to go but she understood why he must. "Promise me you'll come back," she whispered at the airport. Her eyes were red from crying."I promise," Damien said and held her tight. Emma clung to his leg not wanting to let go of her father again.The secure facility where they were staying was guarded heavily enough that Simone felt safe for now. FBI agents rotated shifts outside their doors every six hours.Emma stayed with her mother and Ashley while Damien was gone. She was unaware of the latest revelations about Uncle Marcus and his terrible choices.Ashley had taken time off from work to help with Emma. The little girl needed stability and familiar
CHAPTER 154
Damien could not speak. His throat closed completely. The armored vehicle suddenly felt like it was spinning even though it moved steadily forward.Marcus's words replayed in his mind. Each one was a knife twisting deeper. Marcus stole money that should have protected Katarina. Marcus's addiction cost an innocent woman her life.And Volkov knew, that was why the revenge was so personal and so relentless. So willing to destroy everything and everyone connected to Marcus.It was not just about testimony against a criminal organization. It was about a father who lost his daughter because of Marcus's selfish, desperate act.Torres leaned forward in her seat watching Damien carefully. "What's happening? What did Marcus say?"Damien held up a hand. His mind raced through years of events seeing them all in a new terrible light.He finally found his voice but it came out shaky. "You let me believe we were innocent victims. You let me risk everything for this.""Damien, please," Marcus sobbed
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