Bergen took a deep breath and considered it. After an exhale, he said, “Show me the device again.”
I displayed the screen. “Right there. I believe that is the device.”
“And what do you propose we do about it? The event is going to start any minute, and I’m not sending these people home.”
I told him about the hack.
“You can do something like that?” he said, surprised.
“I have someone who can.” I left out the part that Isabella was already trying.
“If there is a…” the senator looked around. People were waiting to talk to him. He didn’t want to say the wordbomb. Not in a room like this. “If there is a… you know. What are the odds it can be triggered by an attempt to disarm?”
“Unknown. But it’s a non-zero possibility.”
Bergen’s face tightened, and he hung his head for a moment in thought. When he looked up at me, he said, “Do it. Now, gentlemen, I need to get back to business. If it’s my time, then it’s my time. But I have reason to believe the good Lord wants me around to complete my mission.”
He stepped away, put on that smile, and started shaking hands.
That’s when I spotted someone I did not expect. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. Catalina strutted in and mingled.
“I guess she wants a front-row seat,” Daniels muttered.
Her eyes caught mine after a moment, and she moved in our direction.
“Funny seeing you here,” Catalina said as she joined. “Are you working?”
“In a roundabout way,” I replied. “What brings you here?"
"After what happened at the gala, I want someone who's taking a tougher stance on crime."
"Let's hope the security staff at this event has taken better precautions," I said.
"Indeed," Catalina replied. "Well, if you'll excuse me, boys, I’ve got some mingling to do. You never know where the next customer lurks."
She smiled and excused herself.
The sheriff and I watched her go.
"I can see how a woman like that might have compromised your judgment."
I gave him a sour look.
With a wireless earbud and an encrypted app on my phone, I contacted Isabella. "What's the word?"
"Well, it looks like you are right. From what I can tell, the chip is from a Chinese manufacturer. I was able to find a default accesscode on the dark web. I should be able to get in and disable the device in a few minutes."
"Keep me posted. Let me know when it's been rendered safe.”
"Copy that."
By that time, the majority of the guests had filtered into the ballroom. Waitstaff darted about, filling glasses, delivering drinks, and offering hors d'oeuvres.
It wasn’t long after that when a woman took to the stage and stood behind the podium. She addressed the crowd, speaking into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming this evening. I’m so excited to have you here, and we appreciate your support. Please take your seats. Dinner will be served shortly. Without any further ado, please welcome the great Senator Charles Bergen.”
The crowd broke out with applause.
The senator smiled and waved as he made his way to the stage and up to the podium.
