Firewall (28 page)

8:20 A.M. FRIDAY

Taryn’s senses quickened. A car drove into the barn. A door slammed, and a single set of footsteps left the area. A click sounded and the trunk opened. Rays of sunlight streamed through the barn rafters, along with droplets of water.

Wallace stood above her wearing a sickening grin. “Hey, sunshine. Did you miss me?” He untied her ankles and pulled her from the trunk.

Needlelike prickles attacked her legs, and she fell into him. She hurt all over from one injury after another, or she’d have attempted to defend herself.

“I know I’m hard to resist, but contain yourself.” Steadying her, he released the gag from her dry mouth. “Don’t think about calling out. Hurting you would be an extreme pleasure. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I’m keeping your arms bound. I’ve seen them and your feet in action,” he said. “Obeying me is the only way to survive.”

“I’m not making any promises.”

“Taryn, your honesty precedes you. The boss is ready to talk. Needed a few cups of coffee first.”

“Where’s mine?” Although frightened and with no substantial plan to free herself, relief swept through her at the idea of meeting
whoever was behind the week’s tragedies. Her tongue could get her into trouble, and she resolved to keep her thoughts private until she heard him or her out. Every moment benefited her with time, and her adversary would know that.

Wallace guided her to the rear of the barn and into the fresh morning. After the rain, the countryside glistened. Maybe the day would end better than the rest of the week had.

“To the rear of the house.”

With Wallace at her side, she dropped the buttons she’d grasped for hours onto the spongy earth. Birds sang. In the distance, a cow mooed. Life went on . . . good and evil. The towering trees and overgrowth gave the area a tranquil appeal.

Once at the house, Wallace opened the door. It creaked like an old man settling into a chair. She stepped inside the shadowed room, where a candle lit what was once a kitchen. A window adjacent to her was boarded up. Musty smells mixed with coffee met her nostrils.

“Hi, Taryn. Did you get my note?”

Ethan?

She froze.

There had to be a mistake. Her knees trembled. Ethan Formier sat at a dust-ridden table, a gun beneath his fingers. Beside him was an iPad.

“You seem surprised.” He leaned back in his chair. How many times had she seen this familiar pose? “I must admit, you’ve looked better.”

Now she knew what Wallace meant when he said she’d have no problem communicating with his boss. She moistened her lips, anger and betrayal threatening her resolve to keep her wits. Wallace shoved her into a chair.

Keep calm. Every second alive buys time for Grayson to find you.

“You have more work to do,” Ethan said to Wallace. “Taryn and I will chat for about fifteen minutes. Return with the package then.”

For Zoey’s sake, she vowed to listen before losing control. Wallace left the house, leaving her alone with a monster. “What do you want?”

“Nehemiah’s source code and the completion of a few other specialty projects.” Ethan’s menacing tone was out of character. Or was this the real Ethan, when she had grown used to his Gated Labs persona?

“Did you set me up to die in the airport blast?”

“Yes, but when you survived, I realized I could use you.”

“For what?”

“For starters, to help me gain access to Nehemiah.”

“I figured as much. What else?”

“Two additional software projects according to my specs.”

“What kind of software?”

“The kind you’re capable of developing.”

“And if I refuse?” she said.

“You’re not in a position to negotiate.”

Taryn dug deep for courage. This man was not her respected friend. “Oh, I’m not?”

“I’ll kill you if you don’t cooperate. You’ve seen my best work, beginning with the airport.”

Taryn attempted a sardonic laugh. “You will anyway. That’s why Cameron Wallace is here.”

“I admit to using him to his full potential.”

“If I don’t provide what you want, you’ve wasted all this time, effort, and money for nothing.”

Ethan lifted a phone from his shirt pocket. “I believe you know Iris Ryan. She claimed she had the info. Said her hacker wormed his way into the software.” He studied the device. “I used her to set you up. She thought Murford and Rollins would cover her rear. My hands were clean any way you look at it. Iris was a fool to trust Rollins. He didn’t have the guts to get the job done.” He turned the phone over in his palm. “I didn’t trust her to keep her side of the bargain, so I cloned her phone. Her desire for power
and money killed her.” He gave Taryn a brittle smile, sending chills up her arms. He repeated a code only she knew.

Please, God, this can’t be happening.
“Did you clone mine too?” If he’d been successful, then he had the backdoor, which could expose everything.

“You never gave me an opportunity, but since I was your confidant, there wasn’t a need.”

“You did your job well,” she said with all the sarcasm she could muster. “I fell right into your plan.”

“From the looks of you, I see you’ve paid and will continue to pay. Treachery and betrayal doesn’t become you, Taryn.” He chuckled. “But you’ve been a worthy adversary.” He patted a black backpack slung over his chair. “I have your iPad too.”

Save had been successful, and her life was worthless. Her destiny sat on the dirty table in front of her. “Since you have the code for Nehemiah on that phone, then all you need from me is to develop your software.”

“So glad you’ve agreed to cooperate.”

“Do you have Zoey Levin?”

“That was Iris and Murford’s arrangement.”

How could she believe him? “But you know where she’s being held. That’s why I’m here
 
—so you can use her to manipulate me.”

“Then let it be my little secret until the timing is right.”

How many layers did the crimes go? “Are you going to explain to me how the airport bombing played into this?”

“How much do you want to know?”

“All of it.” She leaned forward despite the rope wrapped around her waist and hands. “I have a right to understand why you’ve betrayed our country, sent dozens of people to their deaths, and stolen top-secret information. My life’s been a disaster since Monday, and it will probably end here today. I deserve to know why.”

“Whining doesn’t become you. I’m in control here, and you have no rights.” He took a sip of coffee. “This is not my country. I will die burying every American.”

The depth of his words unleashed new fear. Up to this moment, her unanswered questions had not factored in the prospect of Ethan involved in international terrorism. She thought he was greedy, like Iris Ryan. “Why?”

“Your country stuck its nose where it didn’t belong. I’m Serbian. Your country interfered in our business. My parents, four brothers, their families, and my grandmother were murdered by Albanians.” He clenched his fists. “Killed with guns supplied by Americans.”

Understanding gave her leverage. “Do you want others to feel your same hatred?”

“I’ve committed my life to it. Finding it difficult to accept the truth?” He tilted his head. “I did an excellent job. Don’t you agree? How did you like those last e-mails I sent? And look how easy it was to obtain my password. Makes me look like a victim, don’t you agree? No one will ever expect Ethan, even if the authorities discover I’m alive. I’ll go down in history as one of America’s heroes. Don’t hold your breath for what’s about to come.”

She refused to believe the walls of her country had been breached
 
—again. The sobering comments of Americans not grasping the threat of what lay outside their doors surfaced. He was indeed a monster. The thought of the airport bombing as a launch for yet another attack sickened her, and she was helpless to stop him. All the law enforcement with their intel and citizens committed to keeping America safe were about to be defeated. She’d experienced the horror and would never forget the blood and destruction.

“What’s your real name?” she said.

“You don’t like Ethan Formier? My wife does.”

“She knows about your plot?” Ethan had adopted his wife’s sons too. What an upstanding citizen.

He shook his head. “I’m her Ethan. Nothing else. Didn’t want to risk her turning me in.” He studied his phone. “She’s a good woman and will go to her grave believing I died at the airport. That way she and the boys can live in the lifestyle I’ve given them
and not ever experience my hand in the bombing. One of the reasons I faked my death was to protect them.”

His cold bluntness meant he had no problem eliminating anyone. “Then what’s your name?”

“You can call me Ethan. It comes natural for you.”

“Who’s paying your expenses?”

“Another one of my secrets. You’re a smart woman, Taryn. You know what to ask.”

In the candlelight, he no longer looked like the Ethan she respected. His eyes narrowed, and the set of his chin indicated anger . . . no, rage. She’d have to be careful. His right finger rested near the trigger of his gun. But he’d been left-handed. “Are you ambidextrous?”

“Observant. I learned to use both hands. Improved my golf game.”

He’d be harder to overcome if he didn’t favor one hand over the other.
Stall him.
“What’s happening at eleven o’clock?”

He finished his coffee. “You know the answer to that, my dear.”

“Blowing up the export terminal for LNG in Corpus Christi and Canada on the West Coast.”

“Well done.” He chuckled, a sound she’d once welcomed. “No one will be left alive who can point a finger at me. I’ve plans to eliminate all those involved in Gated Labs or the bombing.”

Control, Taryn. Don’t look shocked or afraid. Buy time . . . and strength.
“Who do you work for?”

“Think about it.”

“Russia?”

“I have friends there. We share . . . let’s say, similar goals.”

The speculation had been one of the reasons why she’d developed Nehemiah. “I thought you wanted software developed?”

“I do
 
—for my friends.”

“What kind of projects?”

“Infrastructure designed to destroy your country.”

Did he really think she’d do such a thing? Unless . . . “Where would I work?”

“Out of the country.”

“I need Zoey to be set free. I do have a bargaining chip, Ethan.”

“What if Wallace is taking care of her now?”

“I don’t think so. She’s alive until you don’t need me.”

Ethan swung his hand across her face, sending her sprawling to the cracked linoleum floor. She tasted blood. “That’s for all the insolent remarks and the trouble you’ve caused me. I have your life in the palm of my hand.”

“And I have the knowledge to help you reach your hideous goals. I can be just as stubborn as you.”

He grabbed her chin and jerked her to her feet. “Only as long as I allow it.”

At the thud of footsteps outside the back door, he bolted from his chair. Expectancy sprang to life. Could it be the FBI had found her? “It’s our friend Wallace. Truly a professional. He’s bringing the package.”

A moment later the door squeaked open, and Wallace entered, a sleeping child in his arms.

Zoey.

8:40 A.M. FRIDAY

When the county sheriff and deputies, two FBI vehicles, and an ambulance arrived at the crime scene, Grayson phoned the SSA and left the area with Joe. Less than two and a half hours until the export launch, and like every agent and law enforcement officer committed to their job, he would not give up until those responsible were cuffed. More priorities hit his list: Taryn and Zoey found.

From the dozen or so anonymous tips that poured in from the area north of Houston, one from Frank finally held credence. At seven thirty this morning, a man and woman on motorcycles who lived in the Willis area were returning from searching for Zoey and noticed two sets of tire tracks heading down a tree-lined, mud-laden lane that led to an abandoned small house and barn. The owner lived out of state and had let it run down. Normally the couple wouldn’t question the activity, due to kids partying, but there weren’t any vehicles visibly parked in the open field. Not like kids, who always partied in numbers. Another oddity was the absence of beer bottles or telltale odors from a bonfire or weed.

“Did the couple ride back to the property?” Grayson said.

“He started to, but the wife talked him out of it,” Frank said. “They pulled their bikes over and walked along the wooded side.
Heard a car and saw a Honda Accord pull out of the old barn and head toward Willis.”

In time to build a sniper nest for Iris Ryan, and he’d passed a car of that description a few minutes before the shooting. “Thanks, Frank. I’m going to owe you big-time.”

“You don’t owe me a thing. My friends stopped to see a feller who lives near the property. He owns woods bordering the rear of the place. The owner said he noted an SUV, a Lincoln, and a Honda driving in and out of there for the last two weeks, but the driver parked out of view of the road.” Frank gave them directions.

“We’re on our way.” Grayson left dirt and gravel in his wake.

“You’re going on your gut,” Joe said.

“Seems right. Whether we find Taryn or Zoey, I feel like it’s crucial we check out the spot.” Urgency nipped at his heels, and he scrutinized every car and truck along the road.

“I’ve been in your shoes. No logic to the decision, just a sixth sense, and we follow the instinct until we hit pay dirt. Iris Ryan obviously thought she was in the right place.” Joe picked up his phone. “I’m calling the SSA with this development.”

The abandoned property was about three and a half miles outside of town on FM 1097 beyond Price Lake and on the outskirts of Sam Houston National Forest. Grayson fought the urge to speed. Instead he drove slowly on the country road with the windows down, always looking, always listening. Cows drank from a pond. Birds chirped their good morning. A couple of trees revealed shades of autumn. In the distance, a tractor rumbled to life. A school bus ahead flashed a signal to turn right.

A call from the SSA came in. Grayson hoped for something good since they’d just talked. “Yes, sir.”

“Got an update for you,” the SSA said. “Ethan Formier isn’t dead.”

“What do you mean?” Grayson startled. “I thought his body had been identified.”

“DNA report just hit my attention, and the man with Formier’s
ID worked at the airport. Looks like the VP of product development at Gated Labs staged his own death.”

Grayson’s mind spun with the man’s top security clearance. Formier had worked at his current position for over seventeen years. Taryn highly respected him. The perfect cover. “He’s up to his eyeballs in this mess.”

“His real name has been confirmed as Valmir Korzha, a Serbian. He’s been in the US for twenty years. Fell under our radar soon after he arrived in our country. Intel shows us he took on the name of Ethan Formier, married a widow with three children, and played the role of the perfect family man. Joined a church. Supported charities. Served on the school board.”

“A sleeper. He can’t be happy about Taryn keeping things from him about Nehemiah.”

“Right. We’re working on assumptions here, but we’re thinking the airport bombing was a diversion from the software theft. We’ve learned his parents and family were killed during the struggle when the Serbs attempted to alienate the Albanians.”

“Serbs despise Americans because of our interference.”

“Exactly. Could be Korzha was content living in the US until his family was killed. And that brought him out of hiding to seek revenge.”

“Like making a statement at terminal E, fueling his revenge.”

“By killing his alias, nothing leads back to him. High dollars are supporting his activities. We’re digging deeper to find the who and what’s planned. His wife is devastated, incredulous about his real identity. All of this will be presented in a briefing here in five minutes. We’re holding a press conference at nine thirty and will release to the media and public all our findings on Korzha.”

“Do you think the Serbian Mafia is funding him?” Grayson said.

“We have intel stating a faction inside Russia is behind this.”

Enough said. “I don’t suppose the export companies will postpone their launch?”

“We don’t have proof of any wrongdoing, and their software is working. We’ve shared our concern, but it’s still a go for them,” the SSA said. “The two companies have stated there is little proof to link the airport bombing to them. Of course, both want to make history. Which means we have a little over two hours to wrap this up. Korzha obviously thought he didn’t need Young in the beginning and banked on her death at the airport. If his intentions are to damage our infrastructure, he’ll stop at nothing. The hacker is working on the needed access, but nabbing Young ensures it.”

He understood the power of torture. Not his Taryn.

The SSA cleared his throat. “I need something substantial for the two companies to alter their schedule. This is clearly a big deal for both US companies to turn on the spigot simultaneously, with lots of media attention.”

“Could the file Taryn uncovered from Korzha have been a plant to draw her into a trap?” Grayson said.

“It definitely pounded a few nails in Haden Rollins’s coffin. A dead man had encrypted files that pointed to the guilt of other persons in a terrorist case. With Formier’s reputation, his eulogy would have read like a hero’s.”

“How do you think Ryan fits?”

“She was probably in just as thick. We’ll see what we learn once we finish examining her files.”

Grayson didn’t ask how long that would take. “So who’s Wallace working for?”

“Given his reputation, I’d say Korzha. If Murford was the only assassination, he’d have left the country as soon as he completed the kill. But Ryan’s murder has his signature, which suggests she could have been running or didn’t think Korzha would eliminate her. Wallace’s habit is execution style, and Taryn’s disappearance is his first kidnapping. The payoff must be really good.”

“What’s Rollins say about it?”

“Claims he never heard of Korzha. Said Formier was so straight his shoes squeaked. Neither did Pedraza recognize the name.
Facing murder and possible kidnapping charges is loosening his tongue. Pedraza and his attorney have been deep in discussion. He didn’t take his sister’s death well. Look, Grayson, we’ve got to find Taryn before it’s too late. Korzha and Wallace know how to get information, and if they already have access . . . you know the stakes.”

“We’re nearly there.”

“The sheriff is offering backup. Sit tight until everything’s in place. Radio the agents in the area now.”

“Thanks.” If he had more time to think, he could lay out all the scenarios Korzha and Wallace might use. Right now all he had was thick woods to penetrate.