by Bob Cooper
“Well, the code we used way back when, you know to “fake” out these types of accounts—I have a version that’s been updated and will now work without detection,” Aidan said, waiting for his fur to fly.
“Are you out of your mind? I should have you arrested right here on the spot. You are meddling in Citizen Guard affairs, and you have no right to do that. Who changed the code? You? How did you even get it?” he said fuming.
“Calm down a minute and listen. If you want to arrest me, do it after you hear me out,” Aidan pleaded. I can’t tell you how I got the code, but I enlisted one of the best-known software engineers, and he now has a version that will work without detection.”
Captain Ryan’s face reddened as he struggled to get his words out. But Aidan cut him off.
“You don’t have enough funds, and Stryker is expecting the credits transferred in less than an hour. Just what do you plan to do? These are my friends. I have to do this for them. Please give this a chance,” Aidan pleaded.
Captain Ryan softened a bit and was about to argue the point with Aidan when the com link buzzed flashing Billy’s name in red. Staring at Aidan, Captain Ryan answered it.
“This is Captain Ryan. How did you make out with the additional funds?”
“I can’t get the full amount. I can only get a little more than half of what Stryker wants. What are we going to do? We have less than a half-hour. Please help me?” Billy said, trying to control his emotions.
Captain Ryan sat silent for a moment and gathered his thoughts.
“There is one more possibility, but it is extremely risky. We can use the software that Aidan mentioned. Please understand that this is not sanctioned by the Guard and there is no way I can vouch that it will work,” he said, sneering at Aidan. “However, at this stage of the game, we don’t have a choice. Do I have your permission to use it?”
Aidan and the Captain heard some muffled discussion going on before Billy answered.
“Do it, please!”
18
O nce Stryker received notification of the transfer; he was to contact the Captain to let him know where they could pick up Hillary. It was extremely risky, but Stryker left no other options. Billy had no choice but to play his game.
“May I use your com link,” Aidan asked.
The Captain reluctantly handed it over to Aidan. Aidan turned away from the Captain in hopes he would not be overheard.
“This is Aidan. We’re a go for the transfer. Initiate the code now. I’ll hang on. Tell me when it’s done.”
“Is that Hakeem the Hack you’re talking to? How do you find these shady characters? You and I need to have a long talk,” Captain Ryan said clearly agitated.
Aidan waved him off while listening to Hakeem.
“Okay, thanks for your help, Hakeem,” Aidan said, hanging up.
“The transfer is complete. Now we wait for Stryker to acknowledge the receipt. When he does, you have to act fast and secure Hillary. Once he tries to retrieve the funds from the account, the ruse is up,” Aidan said to the captain.
Captain Ryan contacted Billy.
“It’s done. Now we wait. I’m having your calls intercepted so we all can hear what he says. I have my team standing by to pick her up.”
“Thanks,” Billy said, hanging up.
Captain Ryan turned to Aidan.
“Tell me, is Hakeem a friend of yours? How many other criminal associates do you have?”
The captain had an evident dislike for Aidan. Whether it was because of his dishonorable discharge from the Guard or because Aidan was able to come through when the Guard could not, he could only guess. One thing Aidan was sure of—he didn’t have to take any crap from him.
“My friends are none of your business. What counts is that we were able to help when you and the Guard couldn’t. Oh, and by the way, you owe Hakeem a handwritten letter of accommodation signed by you for the work he did in this matter.”
“What?” replied Captain Ryan.
***
The alarm buzzed as Stryker accessed his account. He was two million credits richer. Smiling, he popped open a fresh beer and took a healthy swig.
“Well, it looks like your friends came through,” he said to Hillary.
“Good, now take me to them.”
He said nothing as he continued to check his account.
“Wait. You said you would let me go if you got your ransom. You got your credits. Now let me go! ” Hillary said in frustration.
He continued to ignore her. Hillary knew he never had any intention of letting her go. “When they don’t find me as you promised, the Guard will be all over you.”
Stryker laughed and finished his beer.
“By that time, I’ll be long gone.”
***
Captain Ryan got the call he dreaded. Hillary was not found at the designated release location. These ransom situations were a crapshoot at best. In most cases, the hostages were already dead or never found. Regulations dictated precisely how the game had to be played. The worst part is telling the loved ones that Hillary’s chances of living are slim to none. Peering out the office window, he saw them pacing the floor in the hall outside his office.
When Dirk arrived, Raina filled him on the fake ransom deposit. It was time to face them. Drawing a deep breath, he opened the door and motioned them to come in. “Please have a seat. There is no easy way to say this, but Hillary was not delivered to the designated site as promised by Stryker.”
Captain Ryan got ready for the onslaught. But no one said anything. Acey stood beside Billy.
“Is she dead?” Billy asked in a hushed tone.
“We don’t know. My team is doing everything possible to find her.”
“What does that really mean?” Billy asked.
“I’ve called in some help from missing persons as well,” he answered, not really sure on how to answer his question.
“And how long before Stryker finds out the transfer was a fake?” Billy asked.
“When he tries to access the funds, he will get a ‘funds unavailable’ message, and the transaction will fail.”
“Can we tell when Stryker tries to access the funds?”
“Not really.”
Billy walked back and forth the length of the room several times before he spoke again.
“I want a news conference. I want it now. I want to address this bastard. And I want the transfer reversed,” Billy said without any hesitation.
“I really don’t advise you….”
“I don’t care what you advise. I want the transaction withdrawn now!”
Captain Ryan didn’t like this turn of events, but he was fresh out of ideas.
“Could Hakeem reverse this?” he asked Aidan.
“I don’t know, but I will ask,” he said, pulling out his com link.
“I’ll contact our local news station and have them set up on the front steps,” Dirk said, looking to Captain Ryan for concurrence.
“That’s okay with me. I’ll notify my superiors of the plan. Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked Billy.
“Yes, I’m sure.
“Hakeem can reverse the transaction whenever we’re ready,” Aidan said.
“Good. Let’s get this done,” Billy said.
Raina, Dirk, and Acey were outside when the news vehicles arrived and told them what was about to happen while Billy and Captain Ryan discussed what he should say.
“Billy, that’s very risky if you say that.”
“We have nothing to lose. For all we know she is dead. He thinks he’s holding all the cards. I want to turn that around. We now become the aggressors.”
“Billy, this is not going to turn out well, the Captain said, shaking his head.
“We’re ready anytime you are,” Raina said.
“Okay, I’ll be right there. Aidan, tell Hakeem to reverse the transaction.”
Aidan nodded, made the call and waited on the com link for Hakeem’s confirmation.
“It’s done,” Aidan said, following Billy outside.
Billy surveyed the local media gathered on the steps of the Citizen Guard HQ. All the cameras focused on him. Acey watched him standing there, no longer slouched over but straight and erect. He was taking charge of this situation, and Hillary would be proud of him. She held back the tears as he started to speak.
“Thank you for coming and hearing what I have to say. My fiancé, Hillary Grant, has been abducted by a rogue element of the Earther movement, Colonel Jack Stryker. We met his ransom demand, but she was not delivered to us. We were able to rescind the transfer before he could access the funds. Hillary’s fate remains a mystery.”
Billy looked directly at the main camera; I want to make this perfectly clear to Mr. Stryker. First, I’ve instructed the Citizen Guard not to accept any calls. All calls will be forwarded to me. Second, I am offering a fifty thousand credit reward for information leading to the safe return of Ms. Grant. And third, I will use the rest of the ransom money to buy the finest private investigators and mercenaries to relentlessly pursue you, Mr. Stryker. You will never be able to rest again, never! You will be caught and brought to justice. However, if Ms. Grant is returned unharmed, I will not pursue you and ask the authorities not to do so either. That’s all I have to say.”
Billy struggled to keep it together. He believed what he was doing was the right thing.
“You say that Colonel Stryker is part of the Earther movement. What is their interest in all this?” a reporter asked.
Dirk did not want to get into this aspect of the situation at this point. Walking up to the podium, he put his arm around Billy and spoke to the journalists.
“I think we will have to leave it at that for now. It’s been a very trying few days for Billy and everyone concerned. We will keep you posted on any new developments. Thank you for coming,” he concluded, walking with Billy back to Captain Ryan’s office.
After they left his office, Captain Ryan watched the proceedings on his monitor. He was not at all pleased with the turn of events.
***
Stryker watched too. He was furious as he fumbled with his computer and accessed his account. It showed a zero balance.
Hillary watched the monitor as well. She was so proud of Billy. If she never saw him again, she would remember him—strong and brave.
“You’re dead meat!” she yelled at him. “They’ll hunt you and find you no matter how long it takes.”
Stryker shoved the computer off the table and grabbed Hillary by the throat squeezing as hard as he could until her eyes bulged.
“Shut up. Shut the hell up, you bitch. They will never see you alive again,” he screamed, pushing her to the ground.
Hillary gasped for air, slowly returning to normal breathing. The com link buzzed. Stryker looked to see who it was. Tim Arden’s name flashed across the screen. Stryker didn’t answer it. Instead, he waited to see if he would leave a message. He did.
“You stupid fool! I saw the news! You betrayed the cause, and now you’ll pay!”
Stryker let out a string of expletives. He paced rapidly back and forth muttering to himself, trying to put another plan together. Hillary watched the half-crazed Stryker talking to himself. She was of no use to him anymore, and there was no way he would let her live. Stryker pulled out his blaster.
“Get down on your knees now! He screamed, shoving it in her face.
***
Billy wanted to get things back on track. The major gala event at the Gallery was canceled due to Hillary’s abduction, but Acey and Raina convinced him to keep it open. They offered to fill in at the Gallery and give Billy a break to get some sleep. Neither of them knew much about the Gallery, but they were determined to help out. Acey looked at the artwork, especially the pieces Hillary created. She had definitely come a long way from her early days—much more refined and mature, Acey thought to herself. Running her hand along one of her sculptures, memories of their early friendship rushed through her head. Raina put her arm around Acey.
“I know you miss her. We all miss her. We’ll get her back,” she reassured Acey.
Acey looked at her. Doubt was in her eyes.
“We will get her back,” she reiterated, holding her close.
“Thanks,” she said. I can’t tell you enough how lucky I am to have you here.”
“That’s what big sisters are for,” Raina said.
The door swung open, and Billy walked in. He didn’t get much sleep. He looked disheveled, at best.
“Why don’t you ladies go home? I’m okay now. I’ll stay for a few more hours, and then close up. I’ll call you if there are any new developments,” he said.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Acey asked.
“Yes, Yes. Now go home and get some rest.”
Acey was exhausted and took him up on his offer. Raina stayed on with Billy. Once at home, Acey called Dirk and left him a message telling him she was home and Billy was at the Gallery with Raina. She promised to meet him for breakfast the next morning.
Dirk made the final arrangements with the media team to make the first in a series of broadcasts about the artifacts late that week. As she undressed, she noticed something sticking out of her back pocket. It was the note from Annie. Unfolding it, she read the letter—I LIKE YOU. SO DOES SAM. SO DOES AIDAN. Stick drawings of the three of them with smiley faces appeared underneath. She lay in bed, holding the note before falling asleep.
***
Hillary heard the blaster recycle when the com-link buzzed again. At first, it looked like he would continue with the execution, but glancing over, he saw Myra’s name flashing. Lowering the blaster, he picked up the com link.
“Are you ready to deal or should I blow her away right now?” he said before Myra could say anything.
“No, don’t do that. We are interested.”
Hillary could hear the conversation but remained frozen on her knees.
“Then here’s what I want you to do. Deposit the credits, and I’ll tell you where to find her.”
“And we’re supposed to trust you that she is alive.”
“That’s exactly right. If you want her, then you’ll do as I say. Goodbye.”
“Wait. Don’t hang up. I want to talk to her first.”
Stryker hesitated but then gave the com link to Hillary.
“Say something,” he said.
Hillary took the phone.
“Hello.”
The female voice spoke to her in a hushed tone.
“Hillary, don’t say a thing and listen. We have Tim and Myra in custody. We’ll get you out. Hang in there. Give me back to Stryker.”
Hillary was confused at first but then stifled a sigh of relief.
“You will never get away with this. Never! Do you understand?” she said, playing along.
“Are you satisfied?” Stryker said.
“Yes,” said the female voice. We will transfer the funds shortly. When you receive them, call me and leave the location where we can pick her up.”
Hillary fell back on the floor and cried as the stress of the situation poured out. Stryker didn’t notice. He was too busy basking in the fact that he was going to get the credits after all.
***
Captain Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Capturing Tim and Myra was a stroke of luck. With information from his snitch, Frank Simpson, his team was able to track them down and apprehend them. Once they were in custody, they confiscated Tim and Myra’s com links and extracted Stryker’s secured line.
Of course, Frank expected to get the reward that Billy offered as well as all his other demands.
Using the voice synthesizer, Myra’s voice patterns were replicated and used to fool Stryker.
“Good work, Sara,” he said to his agent. “You simulated Myra’s voice perfectly. Get Aidan Carter here with his hacker friend. Get the team together and be ready to head out to get Ms. Grant.”
The agent looked skeptical.
“Do you really think Stryker
will leave her for us to find?”
“I don’t know Sara. I really don’t know.”
***
Aidan and Hakeem raced up to Captain Ryan’s office. Billy was already there.
“Get Hakeem ready to transmit the fake funds again. I don’t believe that Stryker had any clue that they were fake. Let me know when you’re ready.” Captain Ryan said to Aidan.
Annie was with Aidan, and he could see she was restless. Andrea was not available to watch her, so he had no choice but to bring her along.
“I know you’re tired, but this is really important. I need to help Acey and her friend, Hillary,” he said, bending down to her level.
“Are they in trouble?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Yes, Hillary is, and I have to help find her.”
“Can I help?”
“Yes, try to get some sleep for now. This is going to be a long night,” he said.
Annie looked around. There was no one in the waiting room except for the officer on duty behind the desk.
“Alright, I’ll go there in the corner with Sam and try to sleep,” she said, pointing to the far side of the room.
“Okay, I’ll be right in Captain Ryan’s office,” Aidan said.
Billy called Acey and woke her from an uneasy sleep. She stirred but jumped up when she saw Billy’s name.
“What happened? Is she okay?” Acey asked frantically.
“Calm down. Captain Ryan talked to her, and she’s alright. We have a plan to get her out. Come down to HQ, and I’ll explain. I have to go now,” he said, hanging up abruptly.
Acey arrived as Hakeem transferred the funds. They sat waiting for confirmation from Stryker. It wasn’t long before Myra’s com link buzzed. His team now had Stryker’s secured line and was able to trace his position. Sara picked it up, ready to talk.
“You can find her at the old warehouse where we used to meet,” Stryker said before hanging up.