Chapter 43
"Ray Corbin was a CIA asset,” Isabella said.
“Not shocking,” I replied.
“He worked in telecom. Apparently, he was instrumental in implementing a mass surveillance program that remains classified to this day.”
"How did you get the information?" I asked.
"Don't ask, and you didn't hear it from me, and you can't tell anybody."
"Fair enough.”
"Anyway, when he got into trouble, the Company saw him as a liability. As you can imagine, the powers that be didn't want anything about the operation exposed. They relocated him and gave him a new identity. They didn’t want to take the chance. Ray’s handler recently died, and I can only surmise that there was no one minding his file when a system update went through and linked his identities. ”
“I take it this surveillance operation is still in effect.”
“What surveillance operation?” she said coyly.
“Understood.”
“I’m glad your friend is okay.”
“Me too. Thank you again for everything.”
“Anytime,” she said before ending the call.
About the time we finished breakfast, JD staggered out of his stateroom, looking wrecked. He’d gotten back to the boat a little after I did. I’d heard him come in. With tired eyes and untamed hair, he dished up a plate and joined us.
“I hear you boys had quite the adventure last night,” Madelyn said.
“Indeed,” Jack replied. “He’s not going to kill again, that’s for sure.”
A call on Memo came through on my phone from an unknown number. It was a little surreal, sitting across the table from one of the founders. Secure, end-to-end encryption and untraceable.
I took the call. “Hello?”
“Deputy Wild, we know you are protecting Madelyn,” an ominous voice said. The speaker had a Russian accent. “Bring her to us, and we will release her brother. He is of no use.”
My jaw tightened. They had finally figured out Sebastian didn’t control the platform.
Madelyn and JD picked up on my discomfort.
“To sweeten the deal, we’ll throw in a million in crypto. Compliance is your easiest and safest option. It’s a win-win for all involved.”
“Doesn’t sound like a win-win for Madelyn.”
Madelyn’s face wrinkled with curiosity.
“Progress always comes with a cost.”
“Progress?”
He remained silent.
“I need proof of life,” I said.
Madelyn and JD reacted.
“You’ll get it,” the man said. “We really don’t want any further harm to befall anyone.
You’re a professional, and I know you will handle this in a professional manner.
No need to escalate risk. Please don’t involve other authorities.
It would not be to your benefit, and someone could get hurt.
” He paused for dramatic effect. “You will be given a location to make the exchange. The location will change, so don’t bother setting up an ambush.
Our network is vast, and we have many compromised assets in law enforcement.
We cannot be defeated. Once Madelyn has transferred control of the platform, he will be released unharmed. ”
I didn’t buy it for a second.
“I will be in touch shortly.”
The call disconnected, and I told Madelyn and JD.
A moment later, a video file came through on the app.
I launched the clip, and JD and Madelyn hovered around my screen. I said to her, “Are you sure you want to watch?”
She nodded.
I pressed play.
The video clip started close to Sebastian's bruised and beaten face. He had a black eye that was multiple shades of purple, blue, and green. The lid was swollen and puffy, leaving a narrow slit. Abrasions scuffed his cheek, and dried blood crusted his split lip.
The camera pulled back to reveal Sebastian in a white room with concrete floors. He was bound to a chair. The camera panned to today's paper and focused on the date. Proof that Sebastian was still alive, at least until the time of this morning's paper.
Madelyn cringed at the sight of her brother. "I don't even like the guy, and I feel bad for him." She exhaled a worried breath. "What do they want?”
I just gave her a look. "You know what they want."
Her face tightened. "I'm not handing over control of the platform.
There are countless people who will die if I give up the data.
There's no question in my mind these people will go after all their political enemies. The data will be sold to brokers, and it will end up in the hands of terrorist organizations and hostile governments. As I said before, any operative with a nonofficial cover that has used the app will get exposed. You know as well as anyone that puts those operatives in jeopardy.”
"So, you’re just going to let them kill your brother?”
"No. You’re going to find out how to get him back.”
"I knew you were gonna say that." Then I added, “In the spirit of full transparency, they offered $1 million to hand you over.”
She lifted a sassy eyebrow.
"Don't worry. I don't need the money, and I'm not handing you over.”
A somber smile tugged Madelyn’s full lips. "Well, I must be doing something right."