"Don't ask, and you didn't hear it from me, and you can't tell anybody."
"Fair enough.”
"Anyway, when he got into trouble, the Company saw him as a liability. As you can imagine, the powers that be didn't want anything about the operation exposed. They relocated him and gave him a new identity. They didn’t want to take the chance. Ray’s handler recently died, and I can only surmise that there was no one minding his file when a system update went through and linked his identities.”
“I take it this surveillance operation is still in effect.”
“What surveillance operation?” she said coyly.
“Understood.”
“I’m glad your friend is okay.”
“Me too. Thank you again for everything.”
“Anytime,” she said before ending the call.
About the time we finished breakfast, JD staggered out of his stateroom, looking wrecked. He’d gotten back to the boat a little after I did. I’d heard him come in. With tired eyes and untamed hair, he dished up a plate and joined us.
“I hear you boys had quite the adventure last night,” Madelyn said.
“Indeed,” Jack replied. “He’s not going to kill again, that’s for sure.”
A call on Memo came through on my phone from an unknown number. It was a little surreal, sitting across the table from one of the founders. Secure, end-to-end encryption and untraceable.
I took the call. “Hello?”
“Deputy Wild, we know you are protecting Madelyn,” an ominous voice said. The speaker had a Russian accent. “Bring her to us, and we will release her brother. He is of no use.”
My jaw tightened. They had finally figured out Sebastian didn’t control the platform.
Madelyn and JD picked up on my discomfort.
“To sweeten the deal, we’ll throw in a million in crypto. Compliance is your easiest and safest option. It’s a win-win for all involved.”
“Doesn’t sound like a win-win for Madelyn.”
Madelyn’s face wrinkled with curiosity.
“Progress always comes with a cost.”
“Progress?”
He remained silent.
“I need proof of life,” I said.
Madelyn and JD reacted.
“You’ll get it,” the man said. “We really don’t want any further harm to befall anyone. You’re a professional, and I know you will handle this in a professional manner. No need to escalate risk. Please don’t involve other authorities. It would not be to your benefit, and someone could get hurt.” He paused for dramatic effect. “You will be given a location to make the exchange. The location will change, so don’t bother setting up an ambush. Our network is vast, and we have many compromised assets in law enforcement. We cannot be defeated. Once Madelyn has transferred control of the platform, he will be released unharmed.”
I didn’t buy it for a second.
“I will be in touch shortly.”
The call disconnected, and I told Madelyn and JD.
A moment later, a video file came through on the app.
