Page 48 of The Deadly Shallows

“Do they believe that took care of the problem?” Logan asked.

“They did until yesterday,” Caleb said. “At 0915, the lab was evacuated due to the mass shooting, and the personnel were sequestered in one of the guarded holding rooms.”

“0915 is less than ten minutes after the shooting began,” Noah said.

Caleb nodded. “Greer believes the two events were part of a coordinated attack.”

“Or,” Noah said, “the shooting was a distraction for the theft.”

“That’s a heck of a distraction,” Rissi said.

“Agreed,” Caleb said. “A paper copy of the plans for the final component of the laser weapon was stolen.”

“So the initial plans were stolen at the Army’s RAD facility in Duck, and plans for the final component were stolen here,” Mason said, his expression one of disturbed contemplation.

Rissi sat back in her chair. “Are we leaning toward the belief that someone on the inside was part of this attack, and whoever stole the plans is building their own laser weapon?”

“That’s the fear,” Caleb said.

Noah turned to Finn. “I assume you didn’t have time to work the lab?”

“No,” Finn said.

With everything going on, they’d have to rank by priority, and this just took top spot. “Take the time needed to process it first thing tomorrow.”

“You got it, boss,” Finn said.

“All right.” Noah rubbed his hands together. “What about visitors coming through the building’s main entrance before the theft?”

“None.” Caleb shook his head. “But the rear emergency exit alarm went off two minutes before the men entered the lab.”

“And no one checked on it?” he asked.

“The alarm was drowned out by the base alarm going off in response to the shooting. The primary objective for all the soldiers in security roles was to get the rest of the building’s soldiers and civilian contractors safely into the holding room,” Caleb said.

“I’m curious,” Logan said, shifting forward. “What makes lasers important or unique enough to spend so much time developing them?”

“They are smaller and, therefore, easier to transport than conventional weapons and heavy ammunition.” Caleb started squeaking his marker across the board in bullet points beneath the photograph. “They use electricity or batteries for their ammunition, so they have an endless magazine.”

Noah sat back and listened as Caleb continued with a list that made the weapon in question—or at least the plans for one—beyond frightening if in the wrong hands. The laser light was invisible, so the enemy or target wouldn’t know where it was coming from, and they couldn’t return fire. Due to their stealthy operation, lasers were ideal for surprise engagements . . . and the list went on. He prayed whoever stole it was never able to make it or, heaven forbid, use it.

TWENTY-SIX

All the leads his team had collected raced through Noah’s mind as they wrapped up. He was even more convinced that everything was interconnected, and that those who planned it possessed a high level of intelligence and a long reach.

“I’ll just slide this over here,” Caleb said, rolling the whiteboard with Logan’s help to the open wall in Noah’s room. Noah would be here at least until tomorrow evening—especially after ripping out his stitches—so it only made sense to gather in his room again in the morning.

“I’ll pull the photos off the board and keep them with me,” Finn said.

Noah nodded. “Perfect.” They didn’t want the crime-scene photos scaring a nurse, but more importantly, they couldn’t risk someone removing any of them.

“I can either take a picture of our notes and erase it all,” Caleb said, “or drape a sheet over it.”

“I think the picture and erasing is best.”

“You got it,” Caleb said, getting to work. “I’m good here if you guys want to head out.”

Finn just needed to get Gabby from Brooke’s room, but Logan still had a significant job to do.