“Let me interject that given that I’ve spent several days on trying to find a single footprint involved with the Privileged, I think we can assume they are using Franklin’s new version of the software, likely adding the tweaks so the club wasn’t discovered like the former slave ring.” Ruger glanced in my direction.
“Ruger makes a valid point,” Hudson said, nodding.
“So what are you getting at?” I could tell Ruger’s wheels were turning.
“What if the architect of the software provided assistance in hacking it?” All eyes drifted to Reese.
“Not a bad idea at all. Franklin wouldn’t expect that at all,” I added. “If the code wasn’t completely rewritten.”
“Franklin wasn’t that talented,” Reese tossed out, her face pinched. “You’re asking if my father can help bring down this group of predators?”
“Would he be so inclined given the fact he was pushed out of his own company?” She barely reacted to my question, but her anger remained high.
“Why don’t I ask him? I have no doubt there’s bad blood there.” Reese didn’t seem too certain she wanted his involvement, which I didn’t blame her for. The waters were getting murky.
“You’re going to need to tell your parents about Briana’s situation at some point,” I reminded her.
“I know,” she whispered. “I just know what the news will do to them.”
I didn’t want to add it would be decent incentive for him to help. But the thought crossed my mind.
“We have some good news if you can call it that,” Chase offered as he studied a report on one of the computer screens. “The fingerprints came back on the lighter. You’re not going to like what was discovered, but it confirms your suspicions that the police are involved.”
“Who is it?”
“Does the name Darren Ewing ring a bell?” Chase was grinning.
Exactly what my instinct had already told me.
“The chief of police. As suspected.” That would mean everything Jackie had been investigating he was aware of, includingpossibly Reese’s identity. “Jackie’s boss and the man I’ve butted heads with dozens of times. He’s not a good guy. That much I already know. And his father? He’s in the import/export business.”
“With access to cargo ships,” Gabriel added.
It would appear certain pieces of the puzzle were coming together and they were soaked with blood.
“Does that mean your identity has been compromised?” Reese asked, far too much concern in her voice.
“Doubtful, at least yet. The police should have clue of what we’re doing. Jackie came to me in private and I could tell she was apprehensive, as if being pressured. We’re safe for now. But the fact Franklin threatened you means he’s in no position to have his connection to Maverick exposed.”
There were still too many questions, no ability to determine the full breadth of what we were dealing with.
“You’ll need to be even more careful,” Maverick suggested. “If they’re collecting companies, they will stop at nothing to ensure their secret is protected. Including murder.”
Reese reached for my arm.
“How long before you know if you can remove the masks on the photographs?” I moved closer to Ruger.
He looked over his shoulder. “Precision takes time. A couple hours. But I’ll want to run it through the face recognition software. If there’s no hit, then I’ve failed as an artist. Go home. Get some sleep.”
“What about Steven Powell, the Privileged’s front man?” I continued pressing. Our inability to put the pieces together was as annoying as it was disheartening.
Chase cocked his head. “I’m confirming some information with Marlena Devlin. As most of you know, she served as a spy for the United States out of Russia for a number of years.”
Marlena was considered one of us, now teaching at the FBI Academy. In addition to providing vital information to the CIA on Russian activities, she spoke several languages and had contacts throughout the world who’d already provided us with important information in our quest for providing justice.
“What are you thinking?” Hudson asked.
Chase grinned. “I think he’s Russian. If so, it confirms our belief that the secret club has worldwide membership. Remember, American women are considered very valuable in other countries.”
