Chapter Thirty #2
“With the update since you recorded their conversations two years ago, what was the new capacity?” White asked.
“I have no new recordings because they had stopped talking about it. But what I overheard the night before William and Nadir left for Singapore was that they could do anything to any industry at any time. They could, for example, attack desalination plants throughout the region and kill whole populations from a lack of water. They could create famine. They could crash planes. And command ships at sea. The thing you must understand is that it cannot be stopped. If this spreads wide enough, unless we go analog, they—well, Nadir is the lone survivor—Nadir has control of the world. At the time I last heard them speak, the only sticking point was that they were in league with Medved’ and Medved’ was tightly tied to Russia.
It would be Russia who took world domination and, of course, William and Nadir dreamed that for themselves. ”
“And when the boat accident happened …” White said.
“I didn’t believe it was an accident,” Fatima said. “I tried to stop whatever would come next.” She lifted her hands, then let them drop. “I failed. It was stupid, so naively stupid.”
“They tortured you, but they didn’t leave any marks,” White said. “There’s a reason.”
“I’m part of a calculus because of my family. That doesn’t mean that what they did to me was—” Fatima sucked in a breath and fixed her gaze on the wall again.
“Fatima, breathe,” Ty said. “You’re safe now.” He set the water beside her, and she drank it down.
Once Fatima got hold of herself, White asked, “Nadir left for Qatar?”
Fatima nodded. “And I was held prisoner by his men.”
“Not anymore. We have you and will keep you safe,” White said. “But Nadir is flying to Qatar now that he thinks that he has control of both you and Kira, and he’s safe to act?”
“We have Kira,” Ty said, putting a steadying hand on Fatima’s shoulder. “She’s safe. Nadir doesn’t know that.”
“Potentially, that’s correct.” Fatima’s eyes slipped over to the wall clock. “He’ll land soon.”
“How do we stop the program?” T-Rex asked. Fatima turned to look at him. “I have been trying to figure this out. I believe that some of the advanced AI systems could be programmed to search for and destroy the code. It’s the only possibility I’ve come up with.”
“But then wouldn’t that train AI how to write such a code?” White asked.
“I landed on that problem, too,” Fatima said flatly. “But that is true of today’s systems anyway.”
“Not good,” T-Rex muttered as Fatima lifted the water to ask for more.
Ty obliged.
When Fatima set the empty glass down, White said, “Fatima, tell me this: who knows about this program?”
Fatima fell silent. Finally, she said, “Do you mean how many people know how to put it into play?”
“Yes,” White said, leaning into the camera.
“One person that I know of. I mean, there were the Zorics who developed it, and Medved’ got it started.
But that family is gone, and they were very secretive and tribal.
They wouldn’t share that level of technology with anyone outside the family.
Then there was William, of course, but Ty told me that he died after he reached the hospital.
And now there’s only Nadir who wishes to hold the world hostage. ”
“Nadir,” White said. She blinked. “I have to make a phone call. Fatima, it’s in your best interest that you leave with the team and come to America under our protection until the dust settles.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Gentlemen, you heard her. Up and at ’em. Kira and I need a ride home.”
***
Ty was the first one off when the plane doors opened.
He raced forward, wrapped Kira in his arms, lifted her off the ground, and breathed deeply.
“Oh my God, Ty, I love you.”
After a long moment, he set her down and turned to see where her focus had landed.
“Thank you for saving my aunt. You’re here.” She patted his chest. “And look at Rory. You're limping, my poor baby.”
“War beast,” Ty growled.
“My sweet lovey boy. My best boy. I am so glad you get to go be with Trip Wire and get belly scritches and naps for the rest of your days. No more missions.”
“We’ll be with him,” Ty said. “Iniquus signed my contracts.”
“I heard.” Kira’s face lit up. “Isn’t that amazing?”
Fatima stepped off the jet, and Kira opened her arms.
Aunt and niece hugged long and hard.
Fatima pulled back. “Kira, my sweet, I didn’t think I was putting you in danger.
” Her aunt squeezed Kira’s hands. “I thought I was saving the world. I was waiting for Nadir to leave the country so I could come and visit you and explain to the U.S. government what was going on, so they might stop it. But Nadir refused to give me permission to leave, and he had his security watching me. I thought that things had calmed for a time. I was wrong.” She shook her head.
“I was wrong.” She turned her focus to Ty.
“I’m glad to know you had Rory and Ty to watch over you.
” She turned back to Kira. “But I see how strong you have been yourself. I am very proud of you.”
Lula walked over, holding up her phone. “Fatima,” she called, and Fatima stepped away from Kira. “Fatima, I have the Qatar consul on the phone. He wishes to speak with you.”
Fatima frowned deeply.
She reached for the phone and introduced herself.
She listened in silence, finally ending with thank you before she swiped the line closed and handed Lula’s phone back to her.
She cleared her throat. “This might be difficult to hear. When Nadir’s plane landed, it was surrounded by soldiers.
Apparently, when Nadir looked out the window and realized his situation, he used his gun to commit suicide. He died instantly.”
Kira gasped, bringing her hand to her throat. “Dead?”
Fatima seemed to regain her poise. “He said dead. Yes. Dead.”
“What can I do for you, Fatima?” White asked, reaching for Fatima’s hand.
“The man tortured me for weeks; all I can think is that I am grateful. How do you say, Kira?” Fatima focused on her niece. “Just desserts? The world is a better place,” she said on a sigh.
“His death and William’s will complicate your coming to Washington because of London and your family duties. But I need you to come to Washington, Fatima,” White said.
“The women in my family will handle everything.” She turned to Kira. “They will take care of London. She’s family, too.”
“How are you feeling?” Ty asked Kira.
“Honestly? Expansive and amazing. It was Uncle Nadir who was the anvil around my neck all this time. It wasn’t just me who was endangered by his ego and power hunger.
Part of me thinks I’m wrong, but this is elation.
I’m not going to lie to myself, I’m glad we’re all freed from his grip.
Now we can start a life together free of his shadow. ” Kira looked deep into Ty’s eyes.
“Does that mean?” he whispered.
“When I was in the hotel room, drinking the drugs, everything was so clear to me. The only thing I wished was that you were my husband. Ty Newcombe, I am very much hoping you would do me the great honor of marrying me.”
Ty wrapped her in his arms and vibrated with the enormity of his emotions.
Ty didn’t think he’d ever get over the fear he’d been through with Kira in danger. But here she was agreeing to be with him forever.
Tipping her head back, Ty brought his lips down to brush hers as he said, “Being your husband, Kira, and walking through the years hand in hand is my life’s great miracle.”
White put a hand on each of them. “Congratulations to both of you. But let’s celebrate on the plane.” She made a shooing motion with her hands. “It’s time to go home.”