“That or worse.”
“What do you mean?”
How much bad news could Kat handle? She’d already been attacked twice; she had to be terribly scared. But since she’d been the one to spot the problem originally, and since she was being targeted, she had a right to know.
“Chaos has found several program files that have been accessed recently. I suspect that when I actually open the files and look at the code, I’m going to find that the programs have been altered for…future use.”
“You mean like permanently shutting down the cooling system instead of only stopping it for a moment.”
“Exactly. He’s practicing so, when it’s time for the real thing, he’s ready. He’s testing the code so he knows it’ll work. But he’ll embed it in the programs in a way that won’t affect operations until triggered by his command. Unless this is a suicide mission, he’ll allow himself time to escape before the shit hits the fan.”
“Hey, Shadow, look. That file just got saved again,” Chaos said.
Kat’s and Dillon’s heads swiveled at the same time toward the monitors. His gaze zeroed in on a program file with a time stamp of only seconds earlier.
She shook her head. “I don’t know…uh…Shadow.”
“You told me Farook wouldn’t believe you and blew off your concerns. Of course, he didn’t want you raising red flags. That’s also why he gave you the poor job performance reviews and reprimands.”
Her head jerked back in surprise. “What?”
“Sorry, Scotty. Southern California Edison checked your personnel file and—”
She held up her hand to stop him. “I know about the bad reviews, but I haven’t received any reprimands.”
He cocked his head. “They’re in your file.”
“They can’t be. The employee has to sign all reviews and reprimands before they go into the personnel files. I signed the reviews even though I vehemently disagreed with them because I was afraid Farook would fire me on the spot if I didn’t. To protect myself though, I included a rebuttal to his accusations. But I know I haven’t signed any reprimands. I’d damn well remember, don’t you think?”
“Chaos, see if you can get into…Shit. Never mind.” Finding Kat’s personnel file would mean giving Chaos her real name. Even though she wasn’t officially part of TSK, her anonymity was important also. “Trust me, Scotty. The reprimands are there. Farook must be falsifying the paperwork to further discredit you.”
“He’s the only one I can think of who would do such a thing. But I already evaluated him as my most likely suspect for the problems, and he doesn’t seem the type.” She rubbed the back of her neck and winced. “Something else doesn’t make sense to me now.”
Dillon stood up and stepped behind her. He massaged her neck and shoulders, loving the feel of her beneath his fingers. In addition to the soreness caused by the accident, her tense muscles had knots the size of golf balls. His caresses produced moans in appreciation. And shit, his dick started to harden. How could he get turned on so easily after what had happened earlier tonight? You idiot. His body only remembered the good stuff that had happened before the bad stuff.
Kat bowed her head to allow better access and groaned again.
“I can hear you. Get a room, you two,” Chaos said and chuckled.
She started and then giggled. “Sorry, Chaos. Nothing sexy going on here. Shadow’s rubbing my neck because it’s sore from a car accident.”
“If you say so, Scotty.”
Dillon glared down at the bulge in his pants. Nothing sexy, my ass. Reluctantly, he moved from behind her, planted his palms on the table, and scrutinized the data on the screens as he listened. “What did you mean ‘something else doesn’t make sense’?”
“Farook’s a shitty boss, but he’s also a great engineer. He’s been in the nuclear-generating industry for decades. But he’s not very good with regular computer stuff. Incredible, but true. I mean, his secretary told me that he asks for help with MS Word.”
Dillon frowned and looked over his shoulder at her. Maybe…
“Could be an act,” Chaos suggested.
“But if it’s not, how could he be reprogramming something as complex as a nuclear power plant’s computer system?”
“She’s got a point,” Dillon said, straightening. “And if he’s that dumb about computers, he’d be less likely to notice that someone was using his remotely.” His brain shifted into a higher gear. “And he’d make a great tool. He’s Arab, probably Muslim, the perfect profile to be framed as the patsy.”
“So now you’re sayin’ it’s not Farook?” Chaos asked, sounding confused.
“I’m saying it could go either way.”
Kat stood up, moved next to Dillon, and leaned closer to the monitor showing Farook’s office. “Where’s the ‘MAC’ thingy you mentioned? I don’t see it.”
Chaos and Dillon snorted at the same time.
“It’s not stamped on the outside like a brand,” Dillon said.
She shrugged. “Then how do you know this is it?”
He hesitated and then frowned. “Damn. We got the MAC from the program changes and traced that ID to Farook in the IT records. Personnel department info said this was his office. But if someone switched—”
“Sonofabitch,” Chaos blurted out. “Hey, Scotty, does this computer look like anyone else’s?”
“It looks like everyone else’s. I mean, I’m sure IT probably has more sophisticated ones, but when the plant did an upgrade a few months ago, most of us got this exact same model.”
Dillon huffed. “Now we have another set of scenarios in which someone else is using or allowing outsiders to use Farook’s computer to do their dirty work.”
“And the Luddite hasn’t even noticed the difference,” Chaos chimed in.
“How would Farook not realize this wasn’t his computer?” Kat asked.
“Since all the computers were new, they probably didn’t have any external scratches or dings to distinguish them. And cloning Farook’s hard drive and putting it on another computer wouldn’t be difficult. A lot of non-techies would even know how to do it.”
“Well, shit, Shadow. How are we gonna verify this?”
Dillon turned to Kat. “We’re just going to have to pay Asad Farook—or at least his office—a little visit.”
Chapter 18
When they returned to Dillon’s apartment from the man cave, he didn’t even suggest Kat return to his bed. Part of her was disappointed, but another part knew it was the right decision. The conflict between what she wanted to do and what she should do was already wearing on her. The sooner this was over and she was far, far away from Dillon, the safer and saner she would be.
She lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling, for a long time. Hacking into the Diablo Beach computer system put Dillon on the opposite side of the law from the FBI. How did he reconcile his actions with his job? And when had he become the Shadow with a friend named Chaos? Had he gone to the dark side as a result of their breakup? It was all just too weird to comprehend.
Kat stewed and mused and worried until her head spun. Eventually, exhaustion gave her a reprieve, and she fell into a fitful sleep.
On Thursday morning, she awoke to the wonderful aroma of coffee. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of a steaming cup on the table in front of the couch.
She felt Dillon’s steely gaze on her before she spotted him in the recliner. He was already dressed, and wet strands of ebony hair hung on his forehead as evidence of an earlier shower. She fought the urge to pull the sheet up to her neck as they stared at each other for several minutes. His piercing blue eyes bored into her as though looking for answers or explanations of what she’d said to him last night after they’d made love. He could look all he wanted because she could never reveal the truth.
“How do you feel?” he finally asked.
She stretched and turned her head to the left and then to the right to find out. “Still a little sore, but the headache’s better.
Hopefully, the dizziness will be gone today.”
“Don’t push yourself.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine.”
“Wow, I never sleep in this late.”
“You didn’t get to bed until four.”
She expected more, some discussion of the night’s events, but he only pressed his lips together. Sighing, she sat up and pulled the sheet around her as she reached for the mug of coffee. The heat in her hands felt comforting, and the first swallow spread warmth through her stiff body. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed another sip.
“Your phone’s been ringing.”
She gasped, and her panicky gaze shot to him. Oh no, Mom’s calling or texting about Skye. Did he see—
His gaze hardened in response to her reaction. “Don’t worry. It’s still in your purse, and I didn’t peek.” He rolled his eyes before stomping into the kitchen.
Kat scrambled from the couch to grab her purse and robe from the other chair. Only a slight wave of dizziness hit her before she sat down again. Thumbing the phone’s screen, she found two calls from her mother and one from Charlie Lee.
After a glance at the kitchen doorway, she hurried down the hall to the bathroom.
“I was beginnin’ to get worried, Katie dear, when you didn’t call back,” her mother scolded. “How are you feelin’?”
She cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered, “Not too good. Is Skye okay?”
“Of course. Why are you whisperin’?”
She crossed her fingers. “Talking makes my head hurt. You can still watch Skye today, right?”
“Yes, Katie. Want to say hi?”
“Sure, Mom.” She exhaled through pursed lips. Hiding in a bathroom and lying to her mother was not Kat’s style, but her parents would totally freak out if they discovered she was staying with Dillon. And not just staying, but also having sex with him. Oh God, the Scottish curses she would hear.
“Mama. Mama.” Skye’s precious baby voice greeted her.
“Hi, sweetie. I miss you. Are you being good for Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Mama. Mama.”
“I love you, baby girl.” Kat’s eyes stung. She longed to hug her daughter close and escape from all this, but that wasn’t her style either. Or was it? Hadn’t she kept her unborn child a secret and run from Dillon? Kat shook her head in denial. Right now, Skye was definitely safer if she wasn’t near Kat. “Give Grandma the phone, baby. Bye-bye.”
The little girl wailed as her grandmother got back on the phone. “She’s a talker, that one. Doesn’t want to give up the phone. Now you go back to bed and rest, Katie dear.”
“Thanks again, Mom. I’ll call you later.” Kat disconnected and punched Charlie’s number.
“Well, there you are. How ya feeling?” he asked immediately.
That constant question was getting on her nerves. “I’m on my deathbed.”
“What?”
“Just kidding, Charlie.” She paused as an idea hit her. “How was work last night?”
“Work?”
“You know, Diablo Beach where they pay us to hang out together.”
He chuckled. “Same ole, same ole.”
“Was Farook in last night?”
“Nah. He got Graham to cover for you.”
“You didn’t see anything unusual on rounds?”
A long pause was the only answer.
“Charlie?”
“How hard did you hit your head, Kat? You know nothing ever happens there. Why’d you ask?”
“No reason. Is Farook going to be in tonight?”
“He’s not scheduled to be. Why?”
She laughed, hoping she was convincing. “Just wondering if he’s giving my substitutes as much hassle as he gives me.”
Charlie hesitated and then laughed also. “Probably not. They’re not as pretty as you.”
“You know that’s not why he gets on my case about everything.”
“Yeah, I know. His whole attitude is a little creepy. So when ya comin’ back?”
“Not for a few more days. Hold down the fort, okay?”
They said good-bye and disconnected. Kat grimaced when she realized she’d been gripping the phone like a lifeline. Maybe she should tell Dillon about Charlie. They might be able to use him as their eyes and ears.
She found Dillon in the kitchen cooking breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs revived her appetite, which had been nonexistent since the accident. “Can I help?”
“I cook; you clean up. Just like in the old days,” he said without taking his eyes off the stove.
She stuck her coffee mug in the microwave and poured a fresh cup for Dillon. When she handed it to him, their fingers touched, and she felt the familiar electricity. His gaze connected with hers, telling her that he felt it also. She turned away before the ache in her chest and the heat at her core caused her to say something she shouldn’t.
Not trusting herself, she stared out the window until he set a plate down in front of her and took the seat on the opposite side of the small table. They ate in silence for several minutes.
“You haven’t lost your touch with bacon and eggs,” she said to lessen the tension. “This is delicious. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He finally looked up from his plate. “I have to go back to the man cave. It’s best if you come with me.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Probably not. I just don’t want you out of my sight. Maybe you could write down everything you can remember about the fluctuations and discrepancies.”
“Sure, I can do that.” She tapped her fingers on the table as she contemplated how to make her suggestion. “I have an idea so we don’t have to go to the plant tonight.”
His hand stopped with the fork halfway to his mouth. “I’m listening.”
“I asked Charlie if he’d noticed anything unusual last night. He could—”
Dillon’s fork clattered onto his plate. “You did what?”
“I asked—”
“Holy hell, Kat. We can’t broadcast our suspicions.”
She bristled. “I didn’t ‘broadcast’ anything. I just asked Charlie some innocuous questions.”
“Who the hell is Charlie?”
“Charlie Lee is part of the security team. He works the same night shift I do.”
Dillon’s eyes narrowed. “Is Charlie who you were talking to…in the bathroom?”
“Yeah.” Yes, him and my mom and my daughter.
“Is he your platonic boyfriend?”
“Give it a rest, Dillon. There is no boyfriend, platonic or otherwise. If you expect me to believe you have no girlfriend, believe my lack of a boyfriend.”
He gave her a hard glare before he moved on. “What exactly did you ask non-boyfriend Charlie?”
As she recounted her questions, Dillon closed his eyes and massaged the back of his neck. “See?” she said at the end. “Totally innocuous.”
He opened his eyes, cocked his head, and sighed. “Not so much. You practically spelled it out that you suspected Farook was up to something unusual.”
“I disagree. You think that only because you know what’s going on. Charlie doesn’t have a clue.”
“Are you sure about that?” He slapped his hand on the table.
She jumped. “Charlie doesn’t even know about the problems I reported to Farook.”
Dillon leaned over the table, intensity radiating like an aura. “Until we know for sure who all is involved, you need to suspect everyone, Kat.”
She gulped. He was right, of course. She’d discarded Farook earlier as an unlikely terrorist, and now he was their prime suspect. His computer, at least. What did she know about investigating criminal activity or profiling likely suspects? Absolutely nothing.
“Sorry, Shadow. I’m new to this cloak-and-dagger stuff.”
Probably expecting an argument, he blinked at her apology. And then smiled. “But you’re a fast learner, Scotty. Let’s finish breakfast and get
over to the man cave ASAP.”
Chapter 19
They arrived at the storage facility at 10:15 a.m. Dillon immediately set to work on the computers, communicating frequently with Chaos via speakerphone. In between conversations, he typed and typed and typed. Why did looking for signs of program changes require so much typing? Kat did her best to ignore the geekese on the phone and the constant clicking on the keyboard as she re-created her notes about the discrepancies as best she could from memory.
Dillon showed no signs of stopping as noon came and went so Kat grabbed the snacks they hadn’t eaten last night and split the food between them. As she nibbled her lunch, she watched him with admiration. The pace at which he clicked between screens filled with computer code and seemed to absorb it at a glance amazed her. After scanning page upon page of the stuff, he’d start typing again, his fingers flying over the keys.
While they were together, she’d known he had computer skills beyond her comprehension, but she’d had no idea he was capable of hacking into a nuclear power plant’s system. The revelation was more than a little disturbing.
When her cell rang, she expected one of her parents, but the unfamiliar number made her pause. She hated the uneasy feeling that swept over her. Don’t be a silly goose, she chided herself as her mom would.
“Hello, Ms. MacKenzie?”
“Yes.”
“This is CHP Officer Mark Wilson. I’m just calling to let you know we’ve finished our examination of your car.”
“Did you uncover anything else useful?”
“Afraid not. But as I told you already, your tires were definitely shot out.”
“Have there been any similar incidences since mine?”
“Nope. Thank God. Only odd coincidence was the Stevens accident I mentioned to Special Agent O’Malley.”
“What?”
“Sorry, miss, but I gotta get out on patrol. Ask O’Malley about it. Do you want us to have your car towed somewhere?”
Kat gave him the name and address of the tire shop she’d talked to on Tuesday. She’d bought the two tires over the phone, and they were being held until she got the Civic back. After finishing with Wilson, she called the salesperson who had helped her and told him to expect the car within the hour. Her Civic would be as good as new by four that afternoon. Now all she had to do was figure out how to get it home since she still wasn’t supposed to drive.
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