“Wrong,” Cal said, his brow dipping. “Any system you can get back is an accomplishment. We can’t protect the world if we don’t protect this facility.”
Bec nodded once. “She’s had less than three hours of sleep but still got this far. I know she can get the containment online, too.”
“What’s left after that?” Cal asked, glancing between them.
“Nothing that could kill anyone,” Bec answered simply. “But if she can get the lab door function back, at least I could lock things down further inside the main lab to protect everyone were we forced to abandon the facility.”
“That’s what we do then,” Cal said. “Iris, how long do you think before you get the containment system online?”
“If I apply what I learned with the ventilation system, and assuming Ace isn’t aware that I’ve messed with his code, which I don’t think he is, I should be able to do it in two hours. I have to write a workaround for his code and then protect it, so he doesn’t kill it again.”
Cal’s nod was tight. “Once you have the containment system live, I want you to rest. While Bec is correct that we want to protect everyone from what’s inside those labs, it can’t be at your expense.”
“I’ll grab a few hours and then get back at it. I’ll feel better once I know Bec can protect the world from that nasty virus.”
“I want to know why we haven’t heard from Ace yet,” Bec said, glancing between the team. “He kidnapped Walter almost twenty-four hours ago. Why do that if you aren’t going to ask for ransom?”
“A question I’ve asked myself, but this isn’t unheard of,” Selina said. “Sometimes people are kidnapped, and it’s days or even weeks before a ransom is demanded.”
“They’re letting us sweat,” Iris said, her gaze on the table. “If we think he has control of everything and also the head scientist of the lab, the one person who can fix anything, then we’re more likely to cooperate with him.”
“That’s a possible scenario,” Cal agreed.
“Walter isn’t the head scientist,” Bec interjected. “He’s a scientist, but an administrator-level scientist at this point. He’s near retirement and hasn’t worked in alab for decades. He has nothing to do with the pathogens other than to write the proposals and accept the assignments. Ace should have taken me if he wanted that kind of bargaining chip.”
“Would the general public know that?” Iris asked, peeking at her as Bec shook her head.
“Probably not. It would be an assumption of someone unfamiliar with the way places like this are run that he was the one to take.”
“That was Ace’s first mistake,” Iris said with a shrug. “His second was underestimating your ability to think on your feet and bring in the firepower needed to handle this situation.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Cal agreed with a chuckle. “While you’re working on the code, we’ll tighten our security plan and prepare exit strategies should we need them. Selina, join us downstairs when you’re done checking Bec’s arm?”
“It’s fine, really,” Bec said, holding up her hands. “I can manage it.”
“If it’s blistered, then I disagree,” Selina said. “That means the burn is at least second-degree and will need special cream and care until it heals so you don’t get an infection. I’ll check it every day while I’m here. I’ll grab my medic bag and meet you in your apartment.”
Selina headed to the elevator as Bec grinned sheepishly at Iris. “I guess she told me.” That got a snort from Iris. “She can do her thing with it, and then I’m going to make some breakfast and bring it up here for you to eat while you work. You’ll be okay while I’m gone?”
“Yes,” Iris said with a nod. “I’m not afraid to be alone. I’ve been alone all my life.”
The look on Bec’s face before she headed toward the stairs told Iris that it made her sad, and she felt terrible for doing that to her. It wasn’t her intention, but she didn’t know how to do anything but tell the truth. Sometimes, like right now, it would be easier if she could tell a little white lie now and again.
“Shouldn’t have said that,” Iris said when she was gone. “Now she’s going to feel sorry for me, which I don’t want.”
“Bec doesn’t strike me as the type to feel sorry for anyone, Iris,” Cal soothed. “Let’s stay on track. Do you need Mina’s help with anything? She’s waiting in the wings if you do.”
“Is she still running down the information on the scientists we gave her last night?”
“Yes, that’s her plan for this morning, but she can drop that at a moment’s notice if you need help with something.”
Iris nodded and blew out a breath as she rubbed her forehead. “Once I get the critical parts of the lab running again, I’ll search Ace’s code for a signature.”
“Signature?”
“Usually, coders who spend time on the dark web or those with God complexes like Ace will have a signature. Something they do every time they code that makes them feel superior. It’s usually how they write a specific tag or start the first part of a line,” she explained, alternating her gaze between him and the poster on the wall. It was about pathogens and how they travel between people. “I hope to send some lines of code to Mina. If Ace is familiar to the community, we’ll know quickly. It’sfaster for her to run that down while I keep working on protecting the system here.”
“You have the support of all of Secure Inc.,” Cal assured her. “I know you can do this, so I’ll let you get back to it, but Iris?” he asked, and she shifted her gaze to his. “I never knew you had such beautiful eyes.”
