“That’s it,” Headmistress Swanson said with a smile. “I’m officially assigning you as the head of any future fund-raisers for this school.”
“Just so we’re clear, I’m not wearing that bra again.”
She laughed. “Deal.”
I floated back to class on a strange cloud of happiness—until I returned to my locker before lunch. Nic was there waiting for me. He leaned against the lockers, his arms crossed against his chest, looking furious as usual.
Just like that, my happiness cloud evaporated. I ignored him, but he got in my face, blocking the way to my locker. “You’re going to pay for what you did, Angel. I’m never going to forget it.”
I sighed. “What did I do this time?”
“They came to my house. The frigging NSA. They talked to my parents. They took my computer equipment. They claimed I was a cyberbully.”
“You are a bully, Nic. Cyber and otherwise.”
“I had to issue an apology on the website and now I’m facing disciplinary action at the school. You did this to get me out of the way so you could be valedictorian.”
“You’re the one that put up that stupid website and talked trash about people. I didn’t have to do much.”
“I’m not going to let you get away with this. You’ll get yours. I promise you that.”
Ugh.
“Aren’t you tired of threats yet?” I brushed past him and opened my locker. “Why can’t you turn over a new leaf and leave me and my friends alone?”
Nic grabbed my arm. “You’re lucky I didn’t push harder.”
It took me a minute before I understood what he was referring to. My mouth dropped open. “It was you. You pushed the bleachers on me and Frankie.”
His fingers tightened on my arm. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“You’re certifiable, Nic. You could have killed Frankie and me. And for what? Because of some deranged desire to be valedictorian? What’s wrong with you? Why do you hate me so much?”
“It was only supposed to be a warning. I didn’t know your new friend would be there, too, and you’d be dumb enough to stay behind to try to save her. Seriously? You’d risk your life for someone you didn’t even know? You’re never going to make it in the real world, let alone in cybersecurity. You’re going to get crushed. You’d better watch your step, because we aren’t finished here. Not by a long shot.” He released me with a hard shove and strode down the hall toward the office.
I had to steady myself against the lockers for a minute. That kid was living at the corner of deranged and completely unhinged. Finally, I collected myself and headed to lunch.
Enough was enough.
From this moment on, Nic Nerezza was in my past.
Chapter Fifty-Four
ANGEL SINCLAIR
We had a new lunch buddy at our table.
“Hey, Angel.” Colt flashed his impossibly white teeth at me. “I saved you a spot.” He patted the bench next to him, so I set my tray on the table and sat down. Frankie sat across from us. She was eating what might have been an egg salad sandwich, but I couldn’t be sure. She took a bite and waved at me with her pinkie.
Wally sat next to her, eating chicken nuggets. Something seemed different about him. He sat up straighter and seemed more…confident. He’d found his groove. I guess facing danger did change people. I suddenly didn’t want to tell them what Nic had told me about pushing the bleachers on Frankie and me. It wasn’t like I could prove it, anyway. And right now, everyone looked so happy, so content, I didn’t want to spoil the mood.
“Where were you?” Frankie asked, her mouth full of steamed carrots.
“I was talking with Nic in the hallway,” I announced. “Slash held to his promise. Operation Shutdown is a success. The NSA visited Nic last night, and he had to issue an apology to everyone he slighted on the website—that was an order from his parents. They’re also investigating his hacking history. After a bit, I’m sure the website will go down for good. Nic is facing disciplinary action with the school, too.”
Colt gave me a high five. “Great work, Angel. He won’t hurt anyone again.”
“Well, I wouldn’t count on that. He all but threatened me and anyone associated with me.”
Wally paused with his fork near his mouth. “He suspected you had something to do with the takedown?”
“He knows it was me. I’m not sorry for that. I’m only sorry it was too late to stop his vitriol about Colt.”
“Hey, I don’t care, and apparently, no one at Excalibur does, either,” Colt said. “I’m beyond surprised since I officially came out. Everyone’s been so cool and compassionate, even the football team. I didn’t expect that level of support. My parents are a lot more relaxed about it this time around, too. This is a great school—it’s the right place for me. Don’t sweat it, guys. Nic did me a favor. I’m not going to be anyone else but me from now on.”
“Score one for the good guys,” I said with a smile. “It’s about time.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
ANGEL SINCLAIR
After school on Monday, Mom took me to see Mr. Matthews in the hospital. He was sitting up and reading a book. Color infused his cheeks, and his eyes lit up as he saw us come in.
“You’ve got visitors,” the nurse announced cheerfully.
My mom acted first, walking over to carefully give Mr. Matthews a hug. “Ryan, I’m so glad you’re doing better.”
He took her hand, squeezed it. “It’s all the good news I’m getting. You’ve got a heck of a daughter there.”
“I most certainly do.”
I couldn’t help the goofy smile that stretched across my face. “I’m glad everything worked out, Mr. Matthews, and you’ll be coming back to school as soon as you’re better.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” The familiar sparkle was back in his eyes. “Between you and me—the hospital food and entertainment are sorely lacking, although the nurses have all been stellar.” His expression turned more serious. “What you kids did for me was amazing. I’m not certain I even know the whole story yet.”
“There’ll be plenty of time to tell you all about it,” I assured him. “But Frankie and Wally want to be present when it happens.”
“I bet they do.”
For the next half hour, Mom and I sat in the visitor chairs, chatting with Mr. Matthews about everything from school to sports. Eventually, my mom excused herself to use the bathroom.
After she left, Mr. Matthews studied me thoughtfully before he spoke. “Thank you, Angel.”
“No, thank you, Mr. Matthews. Even though you’re not exactly one of my teachers, you’ve taught me more than everyone else put together. You’ve been patient and kind, yet you’ve always stayed one step ahead to motivate and inspire me to do better. That’s what a great teacher does. That’s what an amazing leader does.”
He smiled. “You’ve risen to every occasion. You are meant for great things in this life, Angel Sinclair.”
I met his smile with one of my own. “You know, Mr. Matthews, I used to wish you were my dad. But now I feel lucky you’re my teacher.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
SLASH
When Lieutenant General Maxwell Norton, director of the NSA, personally opened the door to his office and ushered him in, Slash felt as though he were being treated as a favored son. Norton slapped him on the back and offered him coffee, which he declined, but he did take the seat across from the general, who balanced a mug of steaming-hot coffee on his hand.
Slash had played many roles in his life—operative, spy, hacker, analyst. He’d done things he never wanted to think about again. But for some reason, it was here, in the director’s office, that he felt so keenly at home. For reasons he did not yet understand, this was where he belonged, where he understood the rules of the game and how to play to win. He respected Norton and his method of doing business. Norton was a solid guy—intelligent, straightforward, and tough as nails. His silver hair was cropped close to his
head in a military haircut, and he took no prisoners when he spoke. Direct, blunt, and brutally honest.
“Did we catch Haider red-handed?” Norton finally asked him.
Slash nodded. “His laptop was hot. We traced him to everything. He was directly responsible for all the accidents that happened to the veterans, including the one death. We’re still unraveling it and determining whether it was state sponsored.”
“How did he do it?”
“He hacked a brain-computer interface that a tech company, BioLimbs, developed for use with prostheses. Basically, he intercepted electrical signals that were being transmitted from the patient’s brain to the bioelectronic sensors in their affected limbs. He hacked their prosthetics via the software update app on the patients’ phones, then installed a back door that allowed him to instruct them to do whatever he wanted.”
“How would he know when to instruct them to harm themselves or others? Was he surveilling them?”
“I think so. He was certainly surveilling Ryan Matthews. We found a hidden camera in his car. We’ll investigate the others, but I’m confident we’ll find the same.”
Norton let out an uneasy breath, frowning. “So, you’re saying he could have made anyone with prostheses do whatever he wanted?”
“Yes, given more time for trial and refinement. Obviously, this has become an area of great potential threat.”
“Hacking brains. Good Lord, what’s next? I trust we’re on it.”
“We are, sir.”
Norton set his coffee mug on his knee. “And Haider was caught by a couple of kids?”
“Three exceptionally bright and innovative high school kids calling themselves the White Knights. That’s why I asked to speak with you today. I think they’re excellent candidates for the Underage Training Operative Program. They are all seniors in high school, eligible for entrance—upon nomination, of course.”
“You want to nominate them for UTOP?” Norton snorted, shaking his head. “Come on, Slash. I’ve seen their files. They’re not typical spy school candidates. They don’t have the athletic skills we need—they’re bookish. Can any of them fire a gun, wield a weapon? I also doubt they’d have the emotional or social skills to withstand the psychological testing. They’d wash out in the first few days.”
Slash was silent for a moment as he considered how best to present his case. He finally spoke, pressing his fingers together in a steeple.
“Sir, when you asked me to become the youngest director of IAD in NSA history, one of the requests you made of me was to bring the agency in line with the needs of and threats to our country today. As part of that younger generation, I see things a bit differently than most in the current management. What I see is precisely what you just said. These kids are not the typical candidates for UTOP. Physical skills are no longer as important as they used to be. We need tech-savvy spies. These are new times. Two of these kids have mad hacking skills—in fact, they possess more sophisticated, creative, and nuanced skills than I’ve seen among most adult candidates for the job. In my opinion, they would be tremendous assets in the field as agents. The third student has a wicked eye for detail and design, which she’s capable of utilizing quickly and digitally. She’s got exceptional raw talent in an area of great need. All three represent important components of the future of protecting both this agency and our country. They’re exactly who we need on the front lines. I’m not asking for them to be shoo-ins to the school or be given any special consideration. I’m asking only that they’re given a chance to prove their worth in their own unique ways. I think you may be surprised.”
Norton studied him for a long moment. “What about the girl…Angel Sinclair? The matter with her father could be a problem.”
“If he’s the Avenger. I think there is more to the story than we know.”
“The investigation is continuing?”
“So I understand. I’m happy to assist as required.”
“It may come to that. My upcoming retirement has unleashed an inordinate amount of ambition and people jockeying for my job. I’m concerned it might interfere with the Avenger investigation.”
“As the newest director, I’m not looking to take your job. My focus on the Avenger can be singular and discreet, if you need me, sir.”
Norton sighed, rubbing his chin. His eyes looked tired. “I’ll keep that in mind. Slash, do you really think those kids are what we need in this agency?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
Norton took a sip of his coffee, thinking. Slash remained quiet. Although he felt strongly about his request—and was certain Lexi would, too—this wasn’t their decision to make.
After a minute of wrestling with the idea, Norton spoke. “All right, your request is granted. Invite them, but be advised, they must pass the trials on their own. Let’s see what the White Knights have to offer.”
Slash stood and shook Norton’s hand. “Let’s see, indeed.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
ANGEL SINCLAIR
When Mom and I got home from the hospital, I sliced a thick piece of banana bread and headed into the bedroom to open my laptop. Once it booted up, I leaned back in the chair and clicked on my email.
I was about to take a bite of the bread when I froze. The subject line on an email caught my eye. I didn’t recognize the address, but I remained riveted just the same.
“Your Father”
I’m an experienced hacker, and there were a million reasons why I shouldn’t have clicked on the email. But at this moment, none of them mattered. I couldn’t have stopped myself even if I’d wanted to.
I opened the email and held my breath as I scanned the contents. There were two sentences, and it wasn’t signed.
You are being monitored by criminal elements within the NSA. Do not attempt to contact your father.
I dropped the banana bread onto the plate. My entire world narrowed to the two sentences on my screen. My gaze narrowed so tightly I could see the pixels that made up the letters. My heart was thundering in my chest and I felt dizzy. I wasn’t even sure I was breathing.
All my life, I’d longed to know…and now I did.
My father was still alive.
Thank you for taking the time to read White Knights. If you enjoyed this story, the greatest way to say thank you to an author and encourage them to write more in the series is to tell your friends and consider writing a review at any one of the major retailers. It’s greatly appreciated!
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Julie’s Bio
Julie Moffett is the best-selling author of the long-running Lexi Carmichael Mystery Series and the young adult White Knights spin-off series featuring really cool geek girls. She's been publishing books for 25 years, but writing for a lot longer. She writes in the genres of mystery, young adult, historical romance and paranormal romance.
She’s won numerous awards, including the Mystery & Mayhem Award for Best YA/New Adult Mystery, the HOLT Award for Best Novel with Romantic Elements, a HOLT Merit Award for Best Novel by a Virginia Author (twice!), and several others.
Julie is a military brat (Air Force) and has traveled extensively. Her more exciting exploits include attending high school in Okinawa, Japan; backpacking around Europe and Scandinavia for several months; a year-long college graduate study in Warsaw, Poland; and a wonderful trip to Scotland and Ireland where she fell in love with castles, kilts and brogues.
Julie has a B.A. in Political Science and Russian Language from Colorado College, a M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and an M.Ed from Liberty University. She has worked as a proposal writer, journalist, teacher, librarian and researcher. Julie speaks Russian and
Polish and has two amazing sons.
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