Firewall

by DiAnn Mills

  9:30 A.M. THURSDAY

  Taryn woke groggy and ready to roll over and go back to sleep until she saw the clock. Twelve hours. She hadn’t slept so long in years. The drapes were drawn and the room incredibly dark. Not at all like her condo, where she kept the drapes open wide for sunshine to stream through. Buddy slept on a rug beside the bed. How kind for the agents to have the dog there for her.

  Like a flash flood, all the happenings since Sunday rolled over her, and a wave of panic clutched her chest. So many horrible tragedies, and none had been solved. She shuddered at the thought of the many people involved in an attempt to gain access to Nehemiah. Now Save thought he was close, but she’d designed numerous layers. Was he smart enough to see how she’d built the firewall?

  I can’t do this alone. But I’m not. . . . God will walk with me through this nightmare.

  She climbed from the bed and opened the bedroom door. Two different agents were in the kitchen and living room area. She said good morning and turned to the shower, already imagining the warm spray relaxing her battered flesh. She’d wash her hair and be careful of the stitches, then slip into some clean clothes and grab a cup of coffee with the laptop. What a wonderful thought without fear of anything. She’d contribute something today other than another concussion.

  In less than an hour, she e-mailed Grayson.

  Grayson,

  I feel so much better, and I’m ready to discover Ethan’s password. I plan to spend half the day working on it. Then I’ll delve into the hacking job. Will Special Agent Laurel Evertson contact me?

  I appreciate all you’ve done to help me.

  Please give Joe my best and thank him again for sending Buddy.

  Taryn

  She typed in a question about when he’d visit, but deleted it. A friend, yes. Nothing more. The only reason she’d become dependent on him was because he’d saved her life. And if she believed that, she might as well consider herself legally insane.

  She fed Buddy, and one of the agents took him outside for a walk. With two cups of coffee and a bowl of dry granola and fresh fruit, she dug into the task. The agents assigned to her kept to themselves. A good thing because if they were Clint and Patti, she’d want to chat. People meant more to her now, and getting to know them mattered—from their distinct personalities to how they felt about life.

  She pushed her wandering thoughts into a mental box and focused on Ethan. Her list of possible words and numbers began, and by the process of elimination, each one brought her closer to what she hoped was the answer.

  When her burner phone rang, she recognized the FBI number.

  “Taryn, this is Special Agent Laurel Evertson. Grayson told you about me?”

  She remembered the attractive woman with short blonde hair and huge brown eyes. “Yes. I’m working on Ethan Formier’s computer password and could use your help.”

  “Let’s dig in.”

  “You sound excited.”

  “I am. Like an early Christmas present. Tell me what you have and everything you can think of about Ethan.”

  Taryn told Laurel about her and Ethan’s close relationship and the e-mails he’d sent prior to his death. She vocalized their past conversations, talked about keywords and phrases, and toyed with letter and numerical forms. “So what would ‘in plain sight’ mean to a man who worked in computer security?”

  “Close your eyes and envision you’re in his office. Sit behind his desk. What do you see?”

  “I’ve done this before, but here goes.” She recalled an oddity about him. “Hey, I might have something. Although Ethan had sophisticated knowledge and use of technology, he still had a paper flip calendar on his desk, on the left-hand side because he was left-handed. In plain sight. ‘Every thirty days life changes.’”

  Laurel’s keystrokes clicked through the phone. “Nothing yet. Since September is the current month, and we’re assuming he wanted you to find it, I’m thinking this could be a game.”

  Taryn took on the challenge. She typed September and toyed with letters and numbers, all the while praying for a way to unlock the files. She typed the month backward in lowercase—rebmetpes—and assigned a number to each letter, which became 18 5 2 13 5 20 16 5 19. Nothing.

  “This is frustrating,” she said. “I don’t want to give up, but this is not my expertise.”

  Laurel laughed. “Make it fun. Would he have used the year? 2014 was too obvious, unless he wrote it backward and wove it with the month. 14 18 5 2 13 5 20 16 5 19 20.” A moment later both realized that held nothing.

  Taryn used caps with no result while Laurel used various forms.

  “What if he used a capital letter instead of the number for the first letter of the month?” Laurel said. “That would make 14 18 5 2 13 5 20 16 5 S 20.” Still didn’t work.

  “I’ll change the 14 to an N, but it seems too easy.” Clenching her fists, Taryn typed the password into Ethan’s encrypted file. Success! Except a request for another password appeared. If this was meant for her to find, then it might be something about her but not be the same code as before. What did she have in plain sight? For the next several minutes she and Laurel talked and typed in one word after another. What about her was obvious?

  She closed her eyes and thought about the times she’d been at Ethan’s home with his family. One of their sons loved word puzzles with keywords, and Taryn was the only person who played them with him.

  Ethan’s statement rang through her mind. “Taryn, you’re a unique woman.”

  “With an exclamation mark,” his young son said.

  The descriptor became a part of her time with Ethan’s family.

  She shook her head. . . . Maybe. “I have an idea. Ethan’s son and I used to play word games. We had our own special code, and Ethan knew it. Quite simple, actually. He might have wanted me to learn his password.”

  One of the first rules of using a keyword was not to repeat a letter. Unique woman! had two n’s and two u’s, but she’d give it a try. She and Ethan’s son spelled out numbers and special characters and eliminated spaces. Grabbing a piece of paper, she listed the alphabet. Below it she wrote uniquewoman!, which took up the letters a to l. Beneath the original alphabet, she began with the letter m and assigned the letter a, then continued through the alphabet. After z, she started over with a through l. Next she used the corresponding letters of the keyword and the letter l for the exclamation mark. The keyword uniquewoman! became GZUCGQIAYMZL.

  With a deep breath, she typed in the letters. The screen sprang to life, and the files were revealed.

  “I’ve got it.” Taryn realized she’d been holding her breath.

  “Might have to recruit you,” Laurel said.

  “I’ve heard that before. Grayson’s SSA said he’d either recruit me or send me to prison.”

  “Ouch. Now that you have the password, do you want to call Grayson?”

  Oh, did she. “Sure.” After reading some of Ethan’s files, she contacted Grayson. “Laurel helped me with the password. I’ve found Ethan’s research,” she said. “Can you talk, or are you busy?”

  “I’m at the command center near the airport. How about I wrap things up and stop by?”

  “Sounds good.” She ignored her quickening pulse. Her reaction to him was wrong. She needed to heal from the betrayal before allowing another man to creep inside.

  “Mind if I pick up a burger and fries before we talk?”

  His humor always lightened the moment. “Your poor body.”

  “I know, but it tastes wonderful. Do you need anything?”

  “No thanks.” She smiled. “I’ll work on the hacker job until you get here. Grayson, I wish we’d found this earlier. Maybe the case would have been solved by now.”

  “Your findings bring us one step closer. Hold on a minute. I have a call coming through.”

  She patted Buddy, pleased she’d finally contributed something. If Grayson’s call was important, she should hang up.

  “I’m back.” He sounded distrac
ted.

  “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Her first thought was Zoey, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask the question.

  “It’s not Zoey.” He paused. “The call was about your mother.”

  “What is it?”

  “Your mother is being harassed by media and doesn’t understand what’s going on. Neither has she been able to talk to you. While your brother was visiting her, a reporter showed up and wouldn’t leave, so your brother punched him.”

  Worry clawed at her heart. “I can call Mom, right? This is my family, Grayson.”

  “There are guidelines.”

  “Name them because I have to talk to her. I have to reassure her.”

  “You’re bound not to discuss anything about the case or your location. And the agents there must be present during the conversation.”

  Fury swept through her. “They’re supposed to listen to every word? You don’t trust me?”

  “I can’t let you risk your life or your family’s. If the FBI is watching your family, what do you think the other side is doing?”

  “That’s cruel. Mom needs me. My family doesn’t deserve to suffer for this. Is nothing sacred to you?” She disconnected the call and tossed the phone on the sofa.

  CHAPTER 45

  12:04 P.M. THURSDAY

  At Houston’s Hobby Airport, I flag down a taxi to take me to the Galleria area. He’ll stay at the best places, and one of the LNG companies is located in the area. He might pose as a vendor to get inside. His manipulative skills are textbook perfect, and I’m not certain if the man I met will look the same now. My nerves are raw, and I wish I had a drink.

  The taxi driver stares at me through his rearview mirror. I know I’m attractive. The blonde wig and dark-brown contacts are only one of my disguises. Dream on, fella. This lady has standards.

  After a few personal affirmations, I’m in control and confident of my plan. While en route, I text him.

  N Houston. Where do we meet?

  I’m n Athens.

  Liar. U R where the action is

  B careful. U don’t want 2 cross me

  I need 2 C U

  No

  U got rid of Murford?

  U could B next. Get the job done.

  I’ll B at Westin Oaks Galleria. C U soon.

  If he comes to my room, I’ll kill him and get away with it. He tried to attack me and I shot him. Like me, he uses different identities, but I’m smart. A new text from him snatches my attention.

  Almost finished with U

  I shudder, but he thrives on threats. I’ll check into the hotel and meet with Rollins, the one man who’s managed to survive, not getting caught or being on the receiving end of a bullet. Inside my purse, my Smith & Wesson .380 feels cold against my palm, but cold I can deal with.

  I smile. My toy has a built-in laser.

  CHAPTER 46

  1:45 P.M. THURSDAY

  Grayson drove north on I-45 toward the retirement center with Joe. Taryn had phoned her mother and honored his request. According to the agents assigned to her, the conversation brought tears. Tough mandates for him to issue, but too much was at stake.

  Wasn’t the first time he’d upset a woman because of protocol.

  Grayson sensed the pressure of time. He, as well as others working on the complex case, understood something was scheduled to happen on Friday after six in the morning. Chatter indicated an event resembling the airport bombing. Nothing confirmed. Law enforcement officials all over the nation were on alert, especially airport security. The info leaked to media, and travelers canceled flights. Airlines screamed for the situation to end. The FIG reported that both LNG companies planned to go ahead with their pilot export tomorrow. At this point, only a credible threat could put a halt to their plans. They were bent on making history. Grayson understood business and the need to keep commitments. But what would be the price?

  Three days since the explosion . . .

  Earlier this morning, the FBI held another press conference to calm the public. The director congratulated citizens on responding to the billboards and offering anonymous information. He encouraged them to continue assisting the FBI and other law enforcement officials to find those responsible for the bombing. At key points during his speech, photos of the victims were shown, along with a photo of Cameron Wallace, the international assassin.

  “Another person of interest is Haden Rollins from Gated Labs,” the special agent in charge had said. “We would appreciate any information about this man.”

  A reporter asked about Taryn Young.

  “She’s in protective custody and cooperating with the FBI.”

  “Has she been charged?”

  “We’ve found no evidence to believe she was part of the airport bombing.”

  “What about the top-secret files stolen from Gated Labs?”

  “Again negative.” The SAC ended his speech with a promise to keep the public informed. “We’re talking about two separate incidents.”

  Grayson had breathed relief. The responses did not indicate Taryn’s guilt. Neither did they fully exonerate her. Vagueness kept her alive. He’d bank on that.

  “Do you feel the tension?” Joe said, breaking into Grayson’s thoughts.

  “Oh yeah. The clock’s ticking, but no one can pinpoint what’s going to happen tomorrow. If anything at all.”

  “It’s the fear factor. The not knowing while the cowards run free. Me? I think most US citizens are mad and out for justice.”

  An update came through on Grayson’s BlackBerry. He tossed his phone across the seat to Joe. “Read me the latest.”

  “FBI has surrounded a rental home on the southwest side in which confirmed reports indicate Murford, Breckon, Pedraza, and Dancer had been seen coming and going on several occasions.”

  Grayson palmed the steering wheel. “We should hear another update soon. I want to hear about confiscating computers, weapons, and—”

  “I need to tell you something important. Your dad called me after lunch.”

  Grayson remembered Joe walking into the hallway with his phone. He swung a look toward his uncle and read the seriousness on his face. “What’s up?”

  “Ah, not good. Had a sobering doctor’s appointment yesterday.”

  “I didn’t know he was sick.”

  “Neither did he until he had his yearly physical last week. When he complained of having diarrhea for the past few months, tests were ordered.”

  Grayson’s dad never spoke of personal matters, certainly not the way he’d relayed it to Joe. “How bad?”

  “Colon cancer. Stage two.”

  Grayson stiffened, his ears humming. They got along like two pit bulls, but he didn’t want to see his father suffer or die a premature death. “What’s the prognosis?”

  “Totally treatable. Your dad’s a fighter. He’ll beat this,” Joe said.

  “I need to see if he wants to patch things up.”

  “That would be wonderful. I’d like to think your dad’s ready to reconnect. Go for it. Life’s too short not to reach out to others.”

  “I’ll give it my best.”

  “Hoped you’d say that. God’s in the business of mending relationships.”

  Grayson pulled into the retirement center parking area and dropped his cell phone into his jacket pocket. “You might need to take over inside. We had a few words this morning when I told her about her brother’s arrest for punching a news reporter.”

  “As in what she could and couldn’t do until this is settled?”

  “Yes.” Grayson parked away from the building housing Taryn. “We’ll talk about Dad later. Come up with a strategy for him.”

  Joe clamped a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go see our pretty lady.”

  “Whatever she discovered from Ethan Formier’s files has her interest.”

  Joe grabbed their Whataburger bags while Grayson scanned the area for potential problems. He loosened the top button on his shirt in the ninety-degree temps. Sounds fro
m the pool area indicated the residents were enjoying the water.

  He ignored the lift in his spirit at the thought of seeing Taryn. He had to regain her trust. When this ended, he’d discuss what he felt whenever he was with her. Why had he told her about his mother? For that matter, why had he initiated the wild kid stories? Initially it was professional, to get inside Taryn Young’s head. His feelings toward her started to change that day in Joe’s house. Maybe he wanted the real Taryn to get to know the real Grayson.

  Inside, he found her curled up on the sofa with the laptop, Buddy’s head resting on her knee. Clint and Patti had arrived early and were deep in a discussion with the other two agents. Joe went straight to the coffeepot, and Grayson sat beside Taryn.

  “Are you speaking to me?”

  She nodded, but her attention stayed glued to the laptop screen. “After I had a good cry, I realized you were right.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Doesn’t mean I’m over it. I hurt for my family, and it’s tearing me apart.”

  “This could all be settled soon.”

  For the first time, she looked at him. Her eyes were red, and she blinked. “The last thing we need is a sniper taking out my family.”

  He felt the wall between them. “What have you found?”

  She pointed to his to-go bag. “You’re probably starved.”

  He reached for his fries.

  “When you teach me how to use a gun, I’ll show you the reports on consuming animal products.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” When he smiled, she offered one too.

  “Remember the e-mails I forwarded you from Ethan?” she said.

  “Yes. He warned you about Murford. Said his life was in danger and the problem with Nehemiah was bigger than he’d thought. It also sounded like he knew who was behind the problem at Gated Labs.”

  “Right. Once I was able to retrieve his files, it explained so much more.” She pulled up the document containing the results of Ethan’s research. “Take a look.”

  Grayson read the document, absorbing every word. He was amazed at the lengths Ethan had gone to in his personal investigation. His first entries had been made at Nehemiah’s conception when Haden Rollins wanted to know why he’d not been invited to the closed sessions with Congress. Ethan had found Haden in Taryn’s office right after the development team was formed and once six weeks later. He hadn’t told Taryn for reasons unknown. When she found Kinsley in her office, Ethan assumed Kinsley and Haden were working together to oust Taryn from her leadership role. Later he revisited his suspicions about Kinsley and believed she was a pawn. Grayson sensed Taryn observing him.