| |
Helios was the code name for a computer system that I barely understood created by billionaires who thought they were smarter than the rest of the world. My only involvement with it had been to aid in its destruction.
The billionaires were part of a group called Odin, an organization that had recruited me after saving me from ISIS in Syria. It was sold to me as a group that did good things around the world where most governments were unwilling or unable to act. The men I knew and worked with were mostly special operators from all over the world who were not only good at their jobs but seemed to be genuinely decent human beings.
We worked for a man named Jeff Lyons, a billionaire mostly known for his social media involving firearms and technology. Until it all fell apart, he was the only one I had interacted with. The other billionaires were mentioned in passing, but I didn’t know much about them.
That was until Lyons announced his intent to run for President of the United States. An attempt was made on his life and everyone on our team. He faked his death only to end up getting killed by a sniper later. That was when I truly saw what too much money and arrogance could do to people.
Helios was capable of accessing any other computer system in the world, no matter how secure or encrypted. It had its own artificial intelligence and could fake video, audio, or documents with scary accuracy. And even though I didn’t really understand how it worked, I knew that it was suspect in the right hands, but downright dangerous in the wrong hands.
Which is why, when it was stolen, I helped to destroy it. My role in that operation had been the reason Russian mobsters had come looking for me and kidnapped Jenny when I stopped an active shooter in Fredericksburg. My face blasted on social media had been enough for them to find me and attempt revenge. Luckily, Kruger and the rest of the team had still been around to back me up on that one.
“So, what happened to the billionaires?” Jenny asked as she listened to my explanation. Tanner seemed to be ignoring our conversation as she focused on maneuvering through the detours around the protesters to get us to the car rental place at the airport across town.
“Dead,” I said. “In various ways, but they all ended up dead.”
“And you’re sure this Helios thing was destroyed?”
Tanner glanced at me in anticipation of my answer. I shrugged and said, “As far as I know.”
“That’s not very reassuring,” Jenny said.
“I agree, but even if someone did get their hands on it, I am not sure why they would use it for something like this.”
“You said that everyone who knew about Helios is dead?”
“Well, no,” I said. “As far as I know, Tuna is still alive, right?”
“He was when I left to come here,” Tanner said.
“Right, but I don’t think he would have it or be using it. That thing takes up a huge amount of space. It’s not small like a laptop. And the Russian mobsters who knew about it are all dead.”
“So, that leaves Kruger,” Tanner said.
“But isn’t he dead too?” Jenny asked before touching my shoulder gently. “Sorry.”
“Even if he were still alive, there’s zero chance he’d be trying to start a war on police. He has spent time in law enforcement, plus, he’s not a douchebag.”
“I don’t think he’s alive,” Tanner said softly. “I just meant he was the only other person who knew about it and could control it.”
“What about the computer guy?” I asked as I tried to remember his nickname. “Coolio.”
Coolio was the nickname for the computer hacker named Julio Meeks. He was an absolute genius when it came to computers and all things electronic and had helped Odin find me when I was captured by ISIS.
“Working for three-letter agencies doing black ops stuff,” Tanner said.
“Maybe he can look into it,” I said. “He’ll be able to follow the money and figure out who framed me for paying off Hyatt.”
“I’ll see what I can do when I get back to D.C.,” Tanner said as we hit the exit for the rental car terminal at the airport. “If I even have a job when I return.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Jenny said. “Right?”
“Neither did Hyatt,” I said.
Tanner turned into the parking lot and put the SUV in park. “Look at me, Troy.”
I looked her in the eyes, knowing she was about to warn me against staying and fighting for Hyatt.
She let out a long sigh and then said, “I know you’re going to do whatever you want to do. And I can’t make you get in that car and drive straight home. I can’t make you not want to help your friend and to be honest; I’m not sure I can help you anymore either.”
I nodded, not sure where she was going with that and bracing for the inevitable but.
“If I can get through whatever they’re planning for me when I get back, I will do everything in my power to help you find answers. But if I can’t, you’ll effectively be on your own down here. I won’t be able to bail you out. So, all I’m asking is that you be smart about whatever it is you’re going to do and try not to take any more chances. You’re not invincible, Troy.”
“I know.”
“This city is becoming a war zone. Before I left the office earlier, I heard rumblings of a sick-out from several agencies due to how the politicians are handling it and blaming them for everything going on. If that happens, it’s only a matter of time before it descends even further into chaos. I know you’ve been through this stuff, but Jenny hasn’t,” she said, pausing to nod at Jenny.
“Hey! I can take care of myself!” Jenny protested.
“I know you can, but I still strongly recommend you both go home. And if you don’t, I urge you to go into that terminal, rent a second car, and Jenny drives back to San Antonio tonight. You know I’m right, Troy.”
“Absolutely not, Troy,” Jenny said. “I’m not leaving you here.”
“She’s right, you know,” I said to Jenny.
“I don’t care. I will support whatever you decide whether it’s going home or staying here to help your friend, but you’re not doing this alone. I can take care of myself. Don’t worry about me.”
I let her words hang in the air as Tanner’s eyes seemed to plead with me to reconsider.
“There you have it,” I said finally. “I’ll call you tomorrow to find out how your meeting went and let you know what I found out with Hyatt.”