Sneak Peek at Passive Attack
Warning: Early access zone. This is a raw, unedited glimpse of Passive Attack—rough edges and all. Consider it your backstage pass before the story goes live.
Zack
Mornin’ sun’s barely cleared the roofline when I step into the stables, pitchfork in hand. Star and the others are already crowdin’ the gate, ears flickin’, waiting on feed.
I toss hay into their stalls, swap out the water, and run a hand down Star’s neck, checking for burrs before turnin’ her out.
Leanin’ heavy on my left side, I hobble toward the tack room. Almost make it when my phone trills at my side.
A quick glance tells me it’s Tucson PD. They’re still askin’ questions about Caleb and what happened with Brooke Weston’s whistleblower. Heck of a question to answer. I still don’t know the half of it.
Far as I can tell, Caleb’s stint as a bodyguard netted him more than a fiancée. He came back with a torn pec, and a fresh warnin’ from Axel that he’s on light duties only. I pick any anyways, no sense burnin’ bridges.
“Howdy, Detective,” I say.
“Well… hi again, Mr. Adam. Pleased that someone over at Hightower picks up,” she says. Flustered. “I’m having trouble tracking Caleb Evans down. There’s one part of his statement I’d like him to walk me through again.”
Don’t doubt he’s not returnin’ calls. Caleb was gone three weeks, now he’s playin’ catch-up faster than a jackrabbit in a hayfield. Takin’ calls from a closed op is the last thing on his mind.
Even if it does involve his wife-to-be.
“Leave it with me,” I say. “I’ll make sure he calls you back.”
She exhales, some of the edge leaving her voice. “I’d appreciate that. I’d rather not have to put an APB out on him. It was hard enough getting hold of Brooke Weston.”
“Consider it done. Y’all stay safe out there.”
“Uh…sure. Thanks…” she pauses. “You too.”
I slide the phone back into my pocket, catchin’ movement in my peripheral vision .
It’s the boss man. Silas. Walkin’ toward me, boots scuffin’ the dirt, and purpose in his stride that signals his intent.
I jerk my thumb to the tack room. “Just gettin’ the feed before briefin’.”
He nods, and picks up a feed bag and walks with me to the water trough by the south corral.
“Think it’s time we hired a ranch hand,” he says.
I dump the feed into Star’s bin and face him. “I’m managin’.”
He folds his arms across his chest and stares me down. “Never said you weren’t. But you’re stretched thin as it is. Caleb’s gig in Tucson proved we need you working side by side with Delilah when we have active operations.”
Heat rolls over my skin. To hide it, I rub a hand across the back of my neck. “You’re the boss.”
A hesitant smile flickers on his lips. “How’s the pain?”
He knows I don’t like talkin’ about it. Talkin’ bout it makes it permanent.
“Steady as a mule in molasses,” I grunt.
He eyes me, steel in his voice as he speaks. “Good. Delilah’s been asking for a field op for a year now. It’s high time I gave her one.”
Cold fire spreads through me at the idea of sweet little Delilah workin’ outside Jericho’s walls.
Three years back she flagged a breach to the Pentagon, put herself on the radar of some real nasty folks. Could be they’ve moved on. Could be they’re still watchin’.
“Delilah’s not trained for field ops.”
Silas’s expression shifts into guarded. “I’m well aware of that. This is the closest thing I can give her without placing her in any real danger.”
I place my hand on Star’s nose as she moves closer. “Who’s the client?”
“Small bank branch out in the sticks,” Silas says. “They’re shutting it down and need the systems cleaned off before the movers haul the gear out. We’ve worked with their head office before — this is just tying up loose ends.”
When I don’t say another word, he frames it different. “If I don’t allow her some freedom, she’ll start resenting everything and everyone here.”
Something’ sharp hitches in my chest. He’s not wrong. She’s startin’ to get a look in her eyes—same as a mustang that's been penned too long and is fixin' to jump the fence.
Much as I’d rather she’s nowhere near a situation that could turn sideways on a dime, this is a compromise that makes sense.
“Where’s the bank?”
“West Texas. Town called Deadman’s Bluff,” he says. “The town’s barely a dot on a map. Isolated and folks out there don’t much like outsiders.”
I scrub my hand over my hair. “But they’ll like a redneck like me? ”
Silas chuckles. “Doubt they’ll notice you. They’ll be too focused on the Rita Hayworth look-alike running their system check.”
Still not lovin’ in, I ask the obvious. “Bank expectin’ trouble?”
He spreads his hands. “Locals aren’t happy, but it’s more grumbling than action. They’ve already moved the cash and files out. What’s left is the network gear and alarms,” he says.
“What about security?”
“They’ll have their own guards on site.”
I scratch my chin. “Won’t mean much if there’s trouble. Not in a place like that.”
Anythin’ goes wrong, it’ll be me, whatever weapons I can carry, and a gal who’s gun-averse and afraid of livestock.
Silas eyes me. “If you don’t think she’s ready, I’ll tell them to look elsewhere.”
My gaze drops to my dusty boots. “In and out in one day?”
“That’s the plan. Access is rough so Reese will drop you around five miles out and you’ll have to drive the rest of the way in.”
I run through the pros and cons.
No backup. Isolated location. Unknown terrain. Possible hostile locals.
Vs. One day alone with Delilah.
I give Silas a wry smile. “When do we leave?”
Delilah
With the Beach Boys blasting through my earbuds, I slurp my Mexican Coke through a straw and scowl at the endless stream of maintenance code only I speak. Like Klingon, but with fewer fan clubs and way more semicolons.
This is what happens when you’re too good at your job—no one else can do it, so congratulations, you’re the forever volunteer.
I still have three security sweeps to get through, Axel needs the clinic’s digital intake forms patched and re-synced, and Silas asked me to triple-check the firewall logs before noon.
It’s past eleven and I still haven’t eaten breakfast.
Eyes still glued to the screen, I pull out a bag of limited-edition coffee-flavored M&M’s.
Throwing some in my mouth, I crunch through them, and work my way through the endless scroll of error messages that won’t fix themselves.
On the edge of my desk, a green smoothie mysteriously appears as though delivered by unseen hands.
I whirl around, already knowing who’ll be responsible for the liquid food delivery.
Sure enough, Silas is standing in the doorway, giving off that covert ops cool that belongs on a movie poster and not in my office .
“Thanks, dude,” I say.
He replies, but I can’t hear over the strains of California Girls. “What?”
His lips tug into a half smile, and he taps his ear, forcing me to yank my earbuds out.
“You’re going to wreck your eardrums,” he says.
I mime an exaggerated yawn. “So you keep telling me.”
He shakes his head, but smiles as he hands me a Hightower file. “This came in yesterday.”
Oh, fab. Just what I wanted. More work to do.
When I move to put in on the top of the others piling up on my desk, he prompts me: “Open it,” he says.
Sighing, I comply and read the cover page.
HIGHTOWER SECURITY – ASSIGNMENT brIEF
Assigned Personnel:
Delilah Davis – Lead, Cybersecurity
Zack Adam – Security Liaison
Date: September 29
Assignment #: DB-242-2025
Classification: Internal Use Only – Confidential
Location: Deadman’s Bluff, West Texas
Site: Lone Star Bank Branch #242
Task: Final network audit and hardware wipe prior to site closur e
Background: Branch closing after 30 years due to consolidation. Cash and paper records were removed one month ago. Remaining: network systems, ATM link, alarm control. Local sentiment: mostly grumbling, low threat potential.
Primary Client Contact:
Martin Kessler – Branch Manager
Cell: (432) 555-0174
Notes: Cooperative, aware of Hightower’s role, instructed to provide full access to network and premises.
Technical Details:
Server: Manager's Office
Alarm Control: Rear Hall
ATM Link: North Wall
Checklist: shutdown server, disconnect ATM, wipe alarm control, confirm cameras offline
IT Liaison: John Everett, Dallas HQ, (214) 555-0198
Site Layout: See attached floor plan and ingress/egress map.
Security Notes: Two private security guards on site. Low threat environment.
No. Freaking. Way!
Blinking fast, I go back and re-read the assigned personal and scream aloud when I see the location. “Texas! ”
Before Silas can confirm, I launch myself out of my chair and throw my arms around him, not caring if I’m invading his space. “Thank you, thank you, thank you !”
Rather than get annoyed, he chuckles and gives me a quick hug back. “Don’t thank me. Thank Zack. He’s the one who okayed it. He’ll be going with you.”
Really? Zack’s usually the one blocking the exit, all Ranger glare and unspoken “you’re trouble.”
I pull back, grinning and hugging the file to my chest. “Do I get to fly on the jet?”
He leans against the wall, smiling. “You do. Reese will be back from dropping Verity off by then.”
Beaming at him, I’m already imagining how exciting this is going to be. One whole day away from here.
Smiling, Silas backs up. “Zack will give you a full brief later this afternoon. Finish up with the firewalls, and if you need help with anything else, ask. I want your full attention on this job.”
I salute him, still grinning like crazy. “Don’t worry, Sir. I won’t let you down.”
He turns to go, then looks at me one last time. “You’re the lead on the cyber side, but in every other matter, listen to Zack and do what he says.”
I squint at him. “I’m offended you even had to say that.”
Shaking his head, he walks out of my office, leavin g me with the distinct impression he’s already picturing everything that can go wrong.
Zack
Overnight bag slung over one shoulder, I amble toward the hangar, Caleb at my shoulder as he gives me the lowdown on the locale.