Chapter 55
Socialites flooded into the lobby of the Seven Seas in formal attire—black tuxedos, elegant evening gowns, and plenty of sparkling diamonds.
Sheriff Daniels and I were both dressed in tuxedos, but he still wore his ten-gallon hat. We blended in with the flow of traffic as they strolled to the bar, chatter filling the lobby.
We moved to the front of the line, and the sheriff flashed his badge to security at the door. He waved us in. Daniels had contacted Scott and offered additional protection. He didn’t turn it down.
"How close do you need to get to the senator?" Daniels asked.
"15 to 20 feet would be optimal.”
The sheriff pointed to Senator Bergen, who was glad-handing with attendees.
We meandered over to the politician, and I launched a hacker tool on my phone and scanned the area. I set the device to ignore AirPods, cell phones, watches, fitness trackers, and other commercial electronics. I was looking for a bespoke device with a unique signature.
It didn't take long for it to pop up on my scan.
I sent the address of the device to Isabella, then let her access my phone remotely. From my phone, she could access the network and directly connect to the implant.
We approached the politician, and Sheriff Daniels discreetly flashed his badge. “Senator Bergen, Sheriff Wayne Daniels.”
Bergen forced a smile but didn’t like being interrupted. “Nice to see you. What can I do for you?”
“I believe you had a discussion with Deputy Wild earlier,” Daniels said, motioning to me.
Bergen’s face tightened. “Yes, and I appreciate your concern, but I’ve talked to some people in the intelligence community, and they tell me a device like the one you described is just not feasible yet.
The chips aren’t small enough, and the charge would need to be bigger than what could fit in a tooth.
There’s no power or antenna. It’s pure science fiction.
” He laughed. “I appreciate how hard you boys work to keep people safe, but this is a non-issue. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have donors that need attention. ”
“I’ve found a suspicious wireless device.” I showed him my screen.
He sighed and gave the phone an annoyed glance. He took one look and shook his head. “That could be anything.”
“For someone in your position, you’re taking a rather cavalier attitude toward your safety.“ It was probably the wrong thing to say.
His fake smile vanished, and he glared at me. “Deputy, if someone was trying to kill me, there are easier ways to do it.”
“Yes, but what better way to send a message than having you drop dead while on stage, taking a firm stance against the cartels?” I said, motioning to Paris Delaney and her cameraman, who had infiltrated the event.
Bergen took a deep breath and considered it. After an exhale, he said, “Show me the device again.”
I displayed the screen. “Right there. I believe that is the device.”
“And what do you propose we do about it? The event is going to start any minute, and I’m not sending these people home.”
I told him about the hack.
“You can do something like that?” he said, surprised.
“I have someone who can.” I left out the part that Isabella was already trying.
“If there is a…” the senator looked around. People were waiting to talk to him. He didn’t want to say the word bomb. Not in a room like this. “If there is a… you know. What are the odds it can be triggered by an attempt to disarm?”
“Unknown. But it’s a non-zero possibility.”
Bergen’s face tightened, and he hung his head for a moment in thought. When he looked up at me, he said, “Do it. Now, gentlemen, I need to get back to business. If it’s my time, then it’s my time. But I have reason to believe the good Lord wants me around to complete my mission.”
He stepped away, put on that smile, and started shaking hands.
That’s when I spotted someone I did not expect. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. Catalina strutted in and mingled.
“I guess she wants a front-row seat,” Daniels muttered.
Her eyes caught mine after a moment, and she moved in our direction.
“Funny seeing you here,” Catalina said as she joined. “Are you working?”
“In a roundabout way,” I replied. “What brings you here?"
"After what happened at the gala, I want someone who's taking a tougher stance on crime."
"Let's hope the security staff at this event has taken better precautions," I said.
"Indeed," Catalina replied. "Well, if you'll excuse me, boys, I’ve got some mingling to do. You never know where the next customer lurks."
She smiled and excused herself.
The sheriff and I watched her go.
"I can see how a woman like that might have compromised your judgment."
I gave him a sour look.
With a wireless earbud and an encrypted app on my phone, I contacted Isabella. "What's the word?"
"Well, it looks like you are right. From what I can tell, the chip is from a Chinese manufacturer. I was able to find a default access code on the dark web. I should be able to get in and disable the device in a few minutes."
"Keep me posted. Let me know when it's been rendered safe.”
"Copy that."
By that time, the majority of the guests had filtered into the ballroom. Waitstaff darted about, filling glasses, delivering drinks, and offering hors d'oeuvres.
It wasn’t long after that when a woman took to the stage and stood behind the podium.
She addressed the crowd, speaking into the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming this evening. I’m so excited to have you here, and we appreciate your support.
Please take your seats. Dinner will be served shortly.
Without any further ado, please welcome the great Senator Charles Bergen. ”
The crowd broke out with applause.
The senator smiled and waved as he made his way to the stage and up to the podium.
It dawned on me that Bergen was probably wearing a wire, engaging in conversations with all kinds of donors.
He was now the ultimate FBI informant, helping the DOJ get dirty money out of politics.
With the midterms looming, nobody wanted the scandal of prosecuting the senator.
The deal gave him the easy way out and gave the swamp leverage.
It wasn’t a stretch to think Bergen had taken money from the Navarro crime family.
He likely had dirt on the major players, and that made him a target.
When the cartel buys a politician, they want their money’s worth, and they weren’t getting it anymore with Bergen.
The sheriff and I moved to the south wall and kept watch.
It was out of our hands now. Isabella would either disable the explosive or she wouldn’t.
This whole drama could have been avoided with a simple scan and a small EMP device to fry the chip.
One can easily be made with a taser, a few capacitors, copper coil, and some hot glue.
Of course, the devices were illegal, and there wasn’t time to make one now.
Bergen spoke into the microphone. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you all for being here tonight. You are all warriors in the fight to make this country safer and stronger.
I have always taken a hard line against crime and criminal organizations, and I intend to take that to the next level.
With a steadfast resolve and an iron heart, I will make the streets safer for all Americans.
Last year alone, there were 112,000 deaths from fentanyl.
More than all the modern wars combined since Vietnam.
This is an unacceptable statistic. Ninety-five percent of all narcotics pass through our borders undetected.
Whether they're transported in cars, vans, buses, or in tunnels underground, we must step up our interdiction efforts. We must change as technology changes. Criminal cartels are out there, devising new ways to bring drugs into this country as we speak. They use drones, airplanes, submarines, and boats. They hide drugs in produce, animals, commercial goods, and even people…”
Isabella crackled in my ear.