“Maybe.” Jade studied the information on her screen. “Every time I trace Echo’s GPS breach back to Vanguard Data Systems, the original designer of the new tech, the signal diverts. Like someone’s steering me away from the truth.”
Rafe chuckled. “So, smoke and mirrors?”
“More like smoke and government signatures.” Jade leaned closer to the screen. “See this timestamp? That’s when the comm data for Echo went dark. Guess whose server lit up thirty seconds later?”
“Vanguard,” Rafe guessed.
“Bingo.” She zoomed in on the stream of access tags. “Except here’s the kicker. It wasn’t one of their engineers. The access came from a top clearance oversight account. Above Vanguard’s paygrade.”
Rafe went quiet. “Meaning someone higher on the ladder.”
“Exactly.” She glanced at her second monitor. “Vanguard Data Systems might’ve built the tool, but it’s not who sold out our soldiers.”
“Who are we talking about?” Rafe asked.
“I’m not sure yet.” She typed faster, chasing the next thread. A shadow of a smile crossed her lips. “Well, well, well, hello there.”
“What did you find?” Liam pushed to his feet, slowly moved across the room, and collapsed into the chair next to her.
“Every time I get close to uncovering a detail that will point us in the right direction, Evan Rhodes’s signature surfaces. Almost as if he’s guarding the file.”
Rafe’s head jerked up, and he met her gaze. “You mean Mr. CIA is in on this?”
“Possibly.” Jade opened another hidden file. “He pushed the Department of Defense to use Vanguard Data Systems for ‘security upgrades.’ The same upgrades that made it possible to track Echo Team.”
Jade let the information sink in. Turning it over and over in her mind. Could Evan have betrayed US soldiers like that? Her gut said no, but could she trust it? “What I’ve found says he’s involved. But here’s the problem. I know this man’s signature. It’s not his on the last access. Someone else used his clearance.”
“So, what, somebody’s framing him?”
“Or maybe he’s just good at leaving someone else holding the explosive when the thing detonates.”
Rafe let out a low whistle. “That’s twisted.”
“Look here. Rhodes file ID cross-references the director’s. Director Voss authorized every project tied to the data encryption. And guess who reviewed the financials?”
“Rhodes again,” Rafe muttered.
She nodded. “Checks and balances. However, I had no idea that Rhodes had his hands in the STRIKE task force. That surprises me. Whatever the reason, it shows two people with knowledge. But why would either one of them do this?”
Liam rubbed his eyes. “There are usually three reasons for any crime. Love. Money. Revenge.”
“Love doesn’t make sense. Revenge is possible. But I’m voting money.” Rafe shrugged.
“I agree with your conclusion.” The longer she stared at the screen, the more her stomach turned. The lines of code felt lesslike data and more like fingerprints—prints she couldn’t quite match to a name.
Liam’s hand rested on her arm. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure. These lines of code. They feel familiar, but I can’t place them.”
“Not Rhodes?” Rafe asked.
“I don’t think so.” She bit her lower lip and stared at the screen.
Rafe cleared his throat. “So, where does that leave us?”
“In trouble.” She dragged her hand through her hair. “If whoever’s behind this is still inside the system. They’re watching me look.”
“I plan to continue with the email threats soon. Do you want me to start reviewing possible players now?”
