It was time to stop glorifying hacking. Yes, there were white hat hackers out there who thought they were doing good, and sometimes they were, but unfortunately, the majority of the activity was done by the black hat type, sometimes for their own benefit, sometimes on behalf of foreign governments, so they couldn’t be traced.
Like in this case.
The Shadow Collective had known ties to the Russians. Serious ties. And now, one of their actions had cost the Russian economy billions of rubles. The Russians were pissed, but couldn’t take action without revealing their connection.
After all, how could they know where the Shadow Collective was operating from without some previous association?
The Shadow Collective was good. Government good. And they had hidden their tracks extremely well. Those investigating knew they were responsible, but didn’t know who they actually were, or where they were located, except that they appeared to be operating out of the Ukraine.
Yet that could be faked.
“Chris.”
Leroux flinched, having drifted off in thought. “Umm, sorry, sir. I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“Well, actually, the Shadow Collective. Just wondering if they’re even in the Ukraine at all.”
“I thought that was always a possibility?”
“It was. And I guess it’s irrelevant. The Russians will know. Maybe they’ll take care of them for us.”
Morrison grunted as he leaned back in his chair. “Well, right now Washington is leaning toward sharing what we know with the Russians. They’re pretty pissed about what’s been going on, and DC is worried they might overreact and target some of our own assets if they don’t have someone to blame soon.”
Leroux’s eyes narrowed. “I thought they knew the Shadow Collective was responsible?”
“I’m sure they do, but the Shadow Collective put out a statement denying they were responsible. They claimed they were framed and are blaming us.”
Leroux chuckled. “Yeah, I saw that. I think they’re getting desperate.”
“Yes, but it’s enough for the Russians to deny behind closed doors that their own people are responsible for the biggest cyberattack to ever hit their own country. But it creates another problem. We can’t just go in and kill these guys now, without possibly causing problems with the Russians.”
Leroux sighed. “It’s never easy, is it? Good thing Temple has been stopped.”
“Which is exactly why Delta was sent in undercover. We got lucky there. If Temple’s security chief wasn’t ex-military, God knows who he might have hired. A hit squad running wild in the Ukraine, killing Russian government assets? The tit-for-tat could escalate very quickly.”
“If we want the Shadow Collective brought to justice, how are we going to go about doing it?”
“We’re going to have to work with the Russians, by the looks of it. That will get resolved in time. The bigger concern is the North Koreans. They had a mole in the NSA, stole classified data, sold that data to the Russians or those acting on their behalf, conducted two armed operations on our soil, killed at least one American citizen and kidnapped another. Washington wants a message sent that this won’t be tolerated.”
Leroux chewed his cheek for a moment, staring at the far wall. “I can only think of one way to do it without causing bigger problems.”
Morrison’s eyebrows rose slightly. “I’m all ears. I haven’t been able to figure out a way yet.”
Leroux leaned forward in his chair. “Have the Russians do it for us.”
Morrison’s eyes narrowed. “Go on.”
“Tell the Russians about Bureau 121’s operation in Moscow, and tell them they’re responsible for the cyberattack.”
“But what about the Shadow Collective?”
Leroux shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is the code that was used. We tell the Russians about the mole, show them the interrogation tapes if we have to. We have proof the North Koreans stole the ToolKit. And we know, and can prove it to the Russians, that part of the ToolKit was used in the attack. They don’t have to know about the sale of the data. That’s never been proven in public. We can make them think the North Koreans did this, operating out of Moscow, and that we have reason to believe the story is about to hit the news wires at any moment, and they better get ahead of this before it’s too late.”
Morrison stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. “I’m glad you’re on our side. That’s pretty twisted.”
Leroux grinned. “I learned from the best?”
Morrison wagged a finger at him. “Flattery goes nowhere in this office. Okay, I like it.”
Leroux frowned. “There’s just one problem, though.”
“What?”
“If we’re to believe Penn, Bureau 121 has the ToolKit on their computers in Moscow. If the Russians decide to go in, they could get their hands on it.”
“Don’t we think the Shadow Collective has already given it to them?”
A burst of air escaped Leroux’s lips. “We think it’s a possibility, of course, but we’ve seen no evidence that the Russians have used any of the exploits that were unique to the ToolKit. The Shadow Collective may have kept it to themselves, to make themselves even more indispensable to Moscow, without Moscow knowing how.”
Morrison’s head bobbed slowly. “So we still need to eliminate the Shadow Collective before they can spread the ToolKit, and somehow prevent the Russians from seizing it if they decide to deal with Bureau 121.”
“Exactly. And I can think of only one way to deal with that second problem.”
Morrison chuckled. “Even I can figure that one out. Kane.”
54
Mountain View, California
Temple checked his rearview mirror for the umpteenth time, staring at the man responsible for his daughter’s death. He couldn’t believe he was going to just hand him over to the North Koreans, but he had no choice. He had to save Davis. She was all that mattered right now.
But once I have her…
He wanted Penn dead, and he wanted the Shadow Collective dead. Those goals hadn’t changed. But he’d worry about that later.
“I’m sorry about your daughter.”
Rage enveloped Temple as he glared at the man, his foot easing off the accelerator as he contemplated pulling the car over and delivering a beating.
Nobody said in what condition I had to hand him over.
He checked the display on the dash and pressed the accelerator harder. There was no time to waste.
“You killed her.”
“In a way, yes.”
“No, there’s no sugarcoating it. You killed her, just as if you pulled the trigger yourself.”
Penn sighed. “You’re right, of course, but please understand I had a job to do.”
Temple glared at him in the mirror. “Bullshit. Stealing the data was your job. Selling it was something entirely different.”
Penn frowned. “I wish it were that simple. You’d never understand.”
Temple turned, only a few minutes left until their destination. “Try me.”
“I have a wife and child. A son. He’s almost two.”
Temple’s rage eased slightly, but only slightly. “I had a daughter, and she’s dead because of you.”
“And as I said, I’m sorry. But what you don’t understand is that I did it for them. I stole the data for my country, but I sold it for them.”
“You keep telling yourself that. Maybe it’ll ease your conscience a bit, but it won’t change the reality of what you did.”
“I understand your anger, and I don’t blame you. Hell, I’d want to kill me right now if I were you, and again, I wouldn’t blame you if you did. But we have to save your friend, and the only way to do that is to hand me over. But I need you to know something, in case something goes wrong.”
Temple’s eyes narrowed as he spotted the parking structure he had been instructed to drive to. “What are you talking about?”
The c
ar announced they had arrived at the destination, and he canceled the route guidance before it annoyed the shit out of him.
“We don’t know what’s about to happen. I don’t think they’ll hurt you, as long as they don’t spot any tricks and you remain calm. But who knows what will happen to me.”
Temple tensed as he took the winding ramp to the top level. “Do you think they’ll kill you?” The thought at once elated him, but also made him a little sick.
“Eventually, yes, unless your friends can rescue me.”
“Why the hell would they do that?”
“I’m worth more to them alive.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You don’t know?”
“Know what?” They pulled onto the top level, two black SUVs parked at the far end, facing him.
“Simmons works for the government. He’s been playing you this entire time.”
Temple’s jaw dropped as he spun around in his seat, staring at the man. “Bullshit!”
“Why would I lie?”
“To save your life.”
“How could telling you that save my life?”
Temple frowned. The man had a point. How did this bit of information, whether true or not, change anything at this moment in time?
It didn’t.
Headlights flashed at them three times.
He reached forward and repeated the signal, the sound of doors opening sending his heart racing. He stared at Penn. “None of that matters now. We’re here for Tanya.”
He opened his door and stepped out, the headlights of the SUVs turning on, blinding him for a moment. He held up a hand to block the beams as he opened the back door, pulling Penn out by the arm.
“Listen, you need to tell your friends something for me. It’s important.”
Temple said nothing, instead pulling Penn in front of the car and facing the half-dozen men now silhouetted by the lights.
“Listen, it’s important. Tell them that I had a partner, and he’s far higher in the structure than I am. If they want to know who he is, they have to save me.”
Temple glanced at him. “Do you think I’m going to do anything to save you? You killed my daughter, and the only thing I want with respect to you is Tanya. Once I have her, I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you die.” He turned toward the silhouettes. “Let me see her!”
Niner lay on his stomach, MP5 stretched out in front of him as he peered through the night vision scope, a clear angle on the proceedings laid out in front of him. “One-One in position, over.”
Atlas’ voice came over the comms as he confirmed he was in position as well, tucked out of sight behind a large HVAC unit to Niner’s left.
Again with a clear shot.
“Copy that. Zero-Two and One-Zero in position,” replied Red from the sniper position he and Jimmy were manning. Normally Niner and Jimmy would be sniper and spotter, but Red had tweaked his ankle when they were hoofing it into position, leaving Niner to take over. If there was any action, it would be in the parking garage, not on the rooftop across the street.
He just wished Dawson and the others were here. Eight against what he assumed would be eight, were odds he liked.
Four against eight, not so much, especially when one was a spotter.
Red, Niner, Atlas, and Jimmy had been dropped off at Moffett Federal Airfield before the plane carrying Penn continued on to Palo Alto, less than ten miles away. So far, it appeared the North Koreans were unaware of this, otherwise they would have called this meeting off, picking up on the fact they were twenty minutes late due to the layover at Moffett. Instead, they were here, their intel evidently entirely based upon eyes they had on Temple.
Still, those eyes were keeping Dawson and the others out of the game.
For now.
He watched as one of the rear doors of the waiting SUVs opened, a man stepping out, a woman following, then another man.
“Target sighted. Stand by.”
His heart rate ticked up a couple points as he followed the woman, his weapon trained on the man holding her arm.
“Zero-Seven here, I’ve got the three on the left,” said Atlas.
Niner waited for Red to confirm who he had a clear shot of, since he currently had a view of everyone.
“Zero-Two here. We’ve got the next two. No shot on the ones on the right. The SUV is in the way, over.”
Niner adjusted his position slightly. “One-One here. I’ve got the other three. If you’d prefer, I can just take them all out. Let you ladies sit this one out, over.”
“Cut the chatter, One-One. Stand by, something’s happening.”
Niner watched as Penn walked toward the North Koreans, Tanya Davis toward Temple. Niner stole a quick glance at Temple, the man nervous, fidgety. Exactly the kind of behavior men with itchy trigger fingers didn’t like.
Calm down, buddy.
He returned his attention to the North Koreans, all armed with submachine guns, all very calm, at least outwardly.
Definitely military. Probably Special Forces.
He frowned, thinking how that could have been him if his grandparents had lived just a few miles farther north at the end of the war. Would he have joined the military? Probably. There wasn’t exactly much choice on what you did in North Korea. Would he have excelled at it? Probably. Why would that have changed? And with the indoctrination from birth, he might have drunk the Kool-Aid and done his duty to the Dear Leader, as a good, loyal citizen should.
The very idea sickened him.
Penn and Davis passed each other, exchanging looks, but saying nothing.
“We’ve got a problem.”
Niner frowned at Red’s voice, quickly scanning the area, not seeing the issue.
“Local cops just arrived. Squad car is going up the ramp now. Control says they’ve picked up chatter that a police helicopter spotted the vehicles on the rooftop.”
Niner cursed.
That’s why you don’t use the top level!
“What are your orders?” he asked.
“Wait for the exchange to complete. If things get ugly, eliminate the North Koreans. The civilians and law enforcement must be protected. If we lose Penn, then so be it.”
“Copy that.”
Niner tensed as the engine of the squad car revved below him.
One of the North Koreans turned toward the sound.
This is about to get ugly.
Temple reached out for Davis and she rushed toward him the last few steps. He drew her into his arms and held her tight as she did the same, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed with relief. He lowered his head, whispering in her ear. “Calmly go and get in the passenger side. Don’t say anything.”
She nodded, breaking away from the hug and doing as he said.
“Are we done here?” he asked.
A tire squeaking on pavement cut off any reply, the North Koreans all turning toward the sound of an approaching vehicle making its way up the ramp.
One of them drew a handgun and fired two shots into Penn’s chest, the man collapsing, his body silhouetted by the lights. Davis screamed and Temple felt all his energy drain as he watched the gunman step over the body, putting two more in the head.
They’re going to kill us all!
He sucked in a breath, heading off the fainting spell, and stepped to the side, slowly backing toward his door. “Get in!” he hissed at Davis, frozen with fear on the other side. “Now!”
A police car appeared to his right and he cursed as the lights on the roof kicked in, announcing they were here on business.
The North Koreans opened fire.
Niner was already cursing as he saw Penn taken out, the locator chip with a time delayed trigger implanted in the North Korean spy on Dawson’s suggestion, no longer necessary. He squeezed the trigger of his MP5, taking out the first man in his arc. Atlas’ position opened fire, and a sniper rifle from across the street barked its participation.
The police car was torn apart,
the fate of the two officers inside unknown at this point, Niner not taking the time to look, instead calmly selecting his next target and eliminating it.
And it was over.
The North Koreans never stood a chance, the surprise total.
A good day.
Niner rose from his position. “United States Federal Agent! Let me see the hands!” He advanced toward the squad car, his submachine gun directed at the windshield, the last thing he needed was terrified cops opening fire on him. He had no intention of shooting them, even if they opened fire, but they were a lot less likely to do so with a heavy weapon trained on them.
Four hands appeared, empty, as the one man and one woman slowly rose from their position crouching behind the dash.
“Are you two okay?”
“Y-yes,” replied the woman, her hands pressed against the roof.
“I’m a Federal Agent.” He pulled his ID, flashing it at them. “I’m going to check on the hostiles. Radio for backup, and secure the area. Understood?”
They both nodded, their hands still up.
Niner turned his back to them, no longer concerned as he pushed toward the bodies of the North Koreans. None were moving, none were moaning.
All were dead.
Not a good day for them.
Two hit teams eliminated in one night.
“Somebody in Pyongyang is going to be swinging tonight.”
Niner glanced over at Atlas. “Yup.”
A woman screamed behind them.
They both spun toward the sound, then sprinted toward Temple and Davis, Temple on the ground, Davis at his side. Niner dropped to his knees, skidding to Temple as he pulled his med kit off his back. He tore Temple’s shirt open, revealing a nasty gunshot wound to the right shoulder, blood oozing out steadily.
Retribution - A Special Agent Dylan Kane Thriller Book #7 Page 18