Before going to sleep, he checked the security from his computer. Then he also went over video footage from the university’s security cameras. He didn’t find anything new off them, so he set his work aside and got ready for bed.
The next morning Taylor broke the news to Kennedy.
“I figured as much,” Kennedy admitted. “Also, this kidnapping thing is getting old. I want to work through this and be done with it all.”
Taylor was relieved at her reaction.
In the morning Kennedy decoded for half an hour. The codes were all completely useless.
“The sky is red on Thursday. Flies can eat apples. Grass will be orange.”
This continued, and it was all double ciphered. With all the deciphering, Kennedy couldn’t even make it to lunch. Taylor placed a blanket over her as she slept and went to grab himself some lunch.
Dustin joined them for the afternoon session. Penny was in her room.
Taylor was talking quietly to Dustin, while Kennedy deciphered. He could see her struggling with the current code.
“I can’t decipher this one,” Kennedy said exhausted.
This made Taylor curious, she had never come across a code she couldn’t decipher. Even though all the testing, Kennedy was able to breeze past them. Had Jordan discovered a code that was uncrackable?
“Maybe just look one more time,” Taylor suggested gently.
“Maybe it is the coding,” Dustin said as he took a look at the code.
“What?” Kennedy asked.
“It's all ones and zeros, maybe it is upside down.”
“It's ones and zeros?” Kennedy asked.
Taylor rolled his eyes, “Show off. Try it.”
Kennedy turned the screen over and smiled.
“What?” Taylor asked.
“It's a picture!”
“A picture?” Dustin then asked.
“Yes! Hold on, let me focus a little more.” Kennedy looked closely and finally said, “It's a house.”
“Which house?”
Kennedy took out her pen and paper and drew what she saw. It was a typical suburb house with green siding and tan trim. The house had two floors and a three-car garage, it didn't look like anything unique, it was very generic. At the bottom Kennedy saw the one worded code, “home.”
“What does that mean?” Taylor asked, looking at the drawing.
“I don't know, but I hope that NSA is making more headway with these clues than we are,” Dustin remarked.
“That’s good for tonight,” Taylor said, cutting off the conversation.
He had been craving some time with Kennedy, and she could use a break, so he decided it was time to go out.
“Kennedy, would you like to get some frozen yogurt?”
“Um yes!” Kennedy said standing up. “Is it safe?”
“It will never be completely safe out there, but we can’t stay here forever.”
“I’m in!” Dustin and Penny agreed.
Taylor gave them a look, “We’ll bring you some.”
Kennedy didn’t need any more persuading. They left the apartment and started walking out of the building.
Taylor drove the SUV, and Kennedy sat in the passenger seat. She looked out the window and Taylor concentrated on his driving. Keeping his turns slow, and never driving through a yellow light, the other NSA car behind them was easily able to follow them.
Inside the car, it was quiet. From all their time together, Taylor knew that Kennedy enjoyed the silence. She didn’t need to fill the emptiness with words. Instead, the quiet calmed her, and helped her gain some clarity. So, for the duration of the ride, he also enjoyed the quiet.
Once they pulled up to the yogurt place, Taylor got out and opened the door for Kennedy. Reaching for her hand again, he enjoyed how natural her hand felt in his. She grabbed it causally, her touch still sent fire up Taylor’s arm.
“How has your day been?” Taylor asked.
“You are there, you know,” Kennedy replied.
“But I never know what is going on in there,” Taylor said pointing to her head.
“I’m not that complicated.”
“Yes, more than you know.”
“Where is our backup?” Kennedy asked looking behind them.
“I told them to take a secret service approach tonight. I thought it could just be the two of us tonight.”
“Like a date?”
“Yes, like a date.”
Kennedy turned to face Taylor and stole a quick kiss. He smiled at the surprise and was glad she felt comfortable initiating a kiss. This was all so new, and dangerous. To become so attached to an asset had many implications. For now, though, Taylor decided to enjoy the moment.
“This is my favorite place,” Taylor said to Kennedy as they walked inside.
Taylor quickly picked out his flavors and filled his cup almost to the top before picking out the toppings. Kennedy stayed behind and looked at all the flavors before deciding what to pick. She started to fill her cup.
“Kennedy?” a man asked.
Taylor looked up at the sound of her name. Kennedy was also looking around the room. Taylor quickly walked back to her side. Did someone come to kidnap her here too? It was difficult to restrain himself from pulling her out. Kennedy looked scared too. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked around.
Across the restaurant, a man embracing another woman.
“It's good to see you,” she said to him.
Taylor took a deep breath; it was just a coincidence. Looking back to Kennedy she was still staring. She had been filling her cup through the whole encounter and the ice cream was overflowing her cup.
“Kennedy,” Taylor said gently as he pulled her hand off of the lever.
“Oh, no,” Kennedy said, realizing what she had done.
“Go grab your toppings, I’ll clean it up,” Taylor insisted.
She nodded somberly. Taylor grabbed a few napkins and quickly cleaned the mess before returning to her side. Currently, she was staring at the toppings. She was still shaken up.
“I am fine,” she assured Taylor, before he could ask.
Even while Taylor paid, he could tell Kennedy was still not herself.
“Do you want to leave?” Taylor asked as they sat down.
“No,” Kennedy said, despite her shaking hands.
Taylor nodded, but then she stood up.
“Taylor I’m sorry.”
“No need to explain,” Taylor said standing too.
Taylor pulled out his phone as Kennedy focused back on her ice cream. “Dustin just texted me what he wants. Do you want to grab something for Penny?”
“Oh,” Kennedy said.
“You okay waiting a few more minutes?” Taylor asked.
She smiled, “Do you think they will mind if we eat some of their yogurt?”
“Here is another text from him, ‘Don’t eat any of it,’.”
Taylor and Kennedy laughed, and just like that, Kennedy was back. Thank goodness Dustin had lightened the mood.
“We can't push her to do more,” Taylor pleaded that night to Jennifer. They were in Taylor’s room. Kennedy had gone to sleep soon after they had gotten back. Jennifer had then requested to meet with Taylor.
“The threat is going to initiate in less than two weeks, and we aren't any closer to finding the target. Did you read what she deciphered today? It isn’t very comforting.”
Taylor sighed, “That doesn't mean you can abuse her ability. You should be grateful she is helping you at all.”
“We are running out of resources here.”
“You have computers, servers, and personal; can't you get anyone else to work on this?”
“Don't think I haven't tried, but there are other threats out there.”
Taylor put his head in his hand, “What do you want her to do? Decode for twenty minutes, take a four-hour nap and then decode again? She isn't a lab rat.”
“I know Taylor, can we squeeze in more?”
“No, she does
what she can manage already. Now, what can Dustin and I do to help.”
“No, you need to focus on keeping Kennedy safe. I'm not sure what we would do if we lost her now.”
“We are on it,” Taylor said. “You don't need to worry about that.”
“Thank you, Taylor, keep me updated.”
“Will do, have a good night.”
∆∆∆
The next morning, Kennedy jumped on the deciphering first thing. She spent half an hour deciphering before taking a nap. At lunch she just grabbed a few snacks from her bookcase and then deciphered again. After another short nap, she got up. She was being productive, but her room was then closing in on her. It was time to get out.
She got dressed and went to knock on Taylor’s door.
“How is it going?” he asked when he opened the door. He gestured her in, but she stayed in the doorway.
“I need to get out. Is there some park I could work in?”
“Yes, let me just assemble the team. Do you want to wait in here?”
Kennedy shrugged as she walked inside and took a seat on his couch. Taylor texted some stuff on his phone and then grabbed his shoes. He took a seat next to her as he put on his shoes.
“You are holding on over there?” he asked.
“I haven’t passed out.”
“Oh, is that the standard now?” Taylor teased.
“That’s not how the rest of the NSA works? Passed out agents aren’t just scattered around the building?”
Taylor laughed, “Not since I’ve been here. I can’t vouch for what happened beforehand.”
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this,” Kennedy admitted, turning serious again.
“Patience Kennedy, today isn’t forever,” Taylor said holding her hand.
She looked into his eyes. He looked sincere, and she wanted to believe him.
Knocking interrupted their moment.
“Ready?” Taylor asked.
“Yes,” Kennedy said, getting up.
Penny was waiting behind the door.
“Hey guys, Dustin is pulling the car around.”
“Great,” Taylor said walking out.
Kennedy grabbed her bag and walked out with them.
“Let’s bust out of here,” Dustin said as they piled into the car. He was the best at lightening the mood.
“Onward!” Kennedy said, playing along.
“Dustin let’s not encourage that…” Taylor said.
“Come on Taylor, lighten up,” Penny said.
They drove for fifteen minutes before reaching a local park. It had a big green area, a little stream, and walking trails.
The fresh air helped her throbbing head.
“This is perfect, thanks guys,” Kennedy said, jumping out of the car. “Do you mind if we take a walk first?”
“Not at all. Dustin you take the front, Penny the back.”
“Right,” Dustin said, jogging ahead.
Kennedy strolled along the path. There was a fall chill into the air, but it felt good after that stuffy building. Somehow, the outdoors always brought her back to center.
After a mile, she was ready to turn around. Taylor whistled to signal Dustin they were going back. Along the way she found a bench and broke out the laptop.
This code was double deciphered again. She rolled her eyes; the double coding was getting old. If only Jordan was less paranoid. Despite having mastered the process of double decoding, it still drained her. She read and read through pages and pages of garbage and continuous threats. She was running out of time. The exhaustion was overcoming her. It had already been thirty minutes. Pushing the exhaustion aside, she continued.
“Kennedy, your eyes are bloodshot, you need to take a break,” Taylor said, interrupting her focus.
“I need to find something to give Jennifer and Brett.”
“No, you don’t,” Taylor countered.
“Taylor you aren’t helping.”
“I’m helping you.”
Kennedy ignored him.
∆∆∆
Taylor suddenly stood up from the bench. He briskly approached Dustin.
“Dustin watch her, I am going for a walk.”
“Yes, sir,” Dustin replied, walking towards Kennedy.
He could tell that Taylor was frustrated. It was the right move to step away.
“Are you going to try and stop me?” Kennedy asked when Dustin approached.
“Nope,” Dustin said, sitting next to her. He scanned the area. The occasional runner and walker crossed their past, but they were alone now. He turned his focus back on Kennedy.
“Thank you,” Kennedy replied before going back to the code, “Can you get me some coffee?”
“You don’t drink coffee,” Dustin replied. He tried to ignore her eyes and the dark circles forming underneath. How had she lasted this long? She continued to push the limits every time she deciphered. Dustin guessed she would last another five minutes before collapsing.
“I need to stay awake.”
“I could give you an adrenaline shot,” Dustin offered.
Kennedy stuck her arm out.
“No Kennedy,” Dustin laughed. “Take your arm back.”
“Hahah, you are so funny,” Kennedy mocked.
“Do you really think there is anything in there you haven’t…”
Kennedy interrupted, “Hey I found something, something important.”
“What is it?”
“‘Target exact location is 74.52.3.50 23:30, we expect you to be there at scheduled time, see you in a few days.’ Now I think I can take a break.”
Dustin grabbed her knee and massaged it, “That's my girl!” he said excitedly. “Did you send it through?”
“Yes, let’s go,” she said, packing her laptop away.
He then picked up her bag with everything tucked inside.
Dustin helped her up from the bench, “Can you make it to the car?”
“I think so,” Kennedy said, walking in front of Dustin.
Dustin looked down at his phone to send a quick text to Taylor. When he looked up, Kennedy was wobbling.
“Here,” he said, easily catching up and offering her arm.
“Thank you,” Kennedy said, taking his offer.
The longer they walked, the more weight she put on his arm.
“Kennedy, would you mind if I carry you?”
She nodded, “Taylor and I talked about how passing out was the new standard to work by.”
Dustin put one arm behind her back and swept her up. She easily fell into his arms.
“Is that so?” Dustin enjoyed her sense of humor. Even through the stress, and the fatigue, it was always there.
“Uh huh,” Kennedy mumbled.
They needed to get her back.
“Penny!” Dustin called out.
Within seconds Penny was by their side.
“Tough day?” Penny asked as she approached, seeing Kennedy.
“Stay near.”
“I could’ve made it,” Kennedy told Penny.
“Maybe by next year,” Dustin teased.
“Hey!” Kennedy said as she tried to get out of his arms.
“Calm down Kennedy, I know you could’ve made it. Let me carry you, it is faster.”
“Alright,” Kennedy conceded.
“Thank you,” Dustin said as the car came into sight.
Where was Taylor? Surely, he would have hurried back.
As they approached the car when Taylor finally caught up to them. Hopefully, he had enough to process whatever he was going through,
“You got her?” Taylor asked Dustin.
“Yes,” Dustin responded. “You better now?”
Taylor nodded. Dustin gave him a hard look. Did he really look better?
“Hey Taylor,” Kennedy said half asleep.
“Hey Kennedy, let’s get you back,” Taylor said, stepping next to her.
The two of them helped Kennedy into the car.
“Thanks,” Kennedy said, b
uckling her seat belt.
After closing Kennedy’s door, Dustin then went to open the driver door when his phone rang, it was Jennifer.
“Dustin, we know the target,” Jennifer started.
“Who?”
“It's us, NSA headquarters.”
“Wait, so now what?”
“We’re working on it.”
“Can we bring Kennedy back?”
Taylor came up to him, “What is going on?”
“Just a second,” he said listening to Jennifer.
“Total lock down. We are packing up all non-essential workers. Can you establish a safe house? I got to go. Keep her safe Dustin.”
“Yes ma'am.” Dustin said, hanging up.
“The NSA is compromised,” Dustin told Taylor. Penny had also come out of the vehicle.
“What?” Penny asked shocked.
Dustin saw Taylor glance at Kennedy, she was asleep.
“They found coordinates connected to the bomb threat, they were the NSA’s GPS coordinates. We can’t go back there. We need to establish a safe house,” Dustin said.
“How do we do that?” Penny asked.
“Here, I’ll show you,” Taylor said, pulling out Kennedy’s laptop.
Kennedy’s nap had impeccable timing. Dustin was confident that between the three of them, they could establish a safe house before she woke up again.
Jumping into the driver’s seat, Dustin started the car. He needed to keep them moving. Taylor and Penny could figure out the safe house, while he drove around.
“Hotel Dustin?” Taylor asked.
“It’s the easiest and fastest. Keep it away from the NSA and the university,” Dustin said.
“Of course, midtown will be good,” Taylor replied. He went on to explain what they were looking for. “We need a room with multiple bedrooms, several exit possibilities. The more people around, the easier it is to blend in. All staff members need to have a background check.”
“That could take hours!” Penny said.
“We take these precautions because it secures the safe house,” Dustin said as he turned down another road.
∆∆∆
Kennedy stretched as she woke up. Opening her eyes, she was instantly confused. The four of them were still in the car.
“Kennedy,” Taylor said. “How are you feeling?”
“Why are we in the car?” Kennedy asked, ignoring him. “Why are we not back yet? Did I only sleep for a few minutes?”
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