Page 59 of Rescuing Erin

When the laughter started to die down it was Ivy who finally spoke.

“Never in all my life, growing up the way I did, did I ever think I would be in a room with the President of the United States’ niece and daughter laughing. Never did I think I would find a man like Zane and friends like all of you. Never, ever, did I think I would become a mother. I’m grateful for everything I have, but all of you, your friendship is the cherry on top of my really awesome sundae. And, Erin, that includes you. Welcome to our crazy family.”

My eyes met Liv’s and I forgot all about sex or the lack there of and realized the only real friendship I’d ever had was with Olivia. Her circle had grown, and now mine had, too.

The five of us spent the afternoon getting to know each other. We ate, we laughed, we poked fun at one another. We talked about babies, and marriage. Nothing all that important or earth shattering, but deep down I knew with every word spoken, everlasting friendships were being built.

Chapter 20

There was so much pent up aggression in the room it was sizzling. Leo, Jax, Linc, and Dec all looked murderous as we waited for Zane and the president to come into the room.

“Anyone else think this smells like shit?” Jax asked.

“Damn right it does. Once again, we’re smack in the middle of a bunch of political fucks jockeying for position,” Leo answered. “We all know how this works, extortion, secrets, and black ops, but what I want to know is why in the fuck the Angel program is so damn important to the NSA. This is not the first wiretap program, what makes this one different?”

“Because it’s the ultimate spy program,” Tom said as he and Zane entered the room. “All electronics were left outside of this room, correct?”

We all answered in the affirmative. Not that it would matter if we hadn’t. The room was not only bulletproof and soundproof, but there were jammers as well. No electronic transmissions could pass in or out. The blackout shades had also been lowered over the thick polycarbonate, ballistic windows. Every precaution had been taken so the outside world couldn’t intrude.

“I’ll cut right to it,” he started, and Zane dropped a stack of file folders on the table. Each of us reached to grab one. “Angel was originally designed by an NSA programmer as data backup for intelligence gathered overseas. I signed off on the program as it was presented as a way to facilitate a communication bridge between agencies. The intelligence community would have a centralized database they could all use.”

“Let me guess, they found a way to misuse it?” Jaxon interrupted.

“That would be an understatement. It was almost immediately implemented to spy on the American people. As soon as I got word, I shut it down.”

“Spy how? The normal telecommunication marker word taps?” Leo asked.

Most people in the US knew that if you were speaking on the phone and used certain words or word phrases, the government would record and analyze your call.

“No.” The president looked like he was tired. “Total intrusion. Angel can access your cell phone camera and mic. Same with tablets and computers. An everyday American could be innocently walking into the grocery store and could be geo-tracked and, without their knowledge, any conversations they had could be recorded, analyzed, and stored.”

“Nothing new,” Linc muttered.

“I need to explain the gravity of the NSA’s abuse of power. Imagine the unsuspecting population, sitting in the privacy of their own homes, having a conversation, and not knowing that those popular smart devices and virtual assistants had been recording their every word. While you think asking it to turn on your favorite music, order your laundry detergent, or tell you the latest news is convenient, being reconnoitered by a fucking speaker is probably not what people thought they were getting. People have refrigerators that are now chipped as a listening device.”

“Other than the obvious infringement, what does the NSA have to gain? Targeting individuals on terror watchlists, I can understand. Everyday people? What’s the play?” I asked.

“Power. There’re infinite possibilities on how to use the intel gathered. Election fraud, warrantless surveillance, control, forecasting crimes, and illegal detainment. And let’s not forget greed. Private corporations have their hands out as well. Not only do they fund the program but they have their own programmers involved. Independent contractors such as Warren are working side by side with the NSA, buying their way into a goldmine of intel.”

“The golden age of surveillance. Even our goddamn televisions come with a warning not to talk about sensitive information because you’re being recorded,” Declan growled. “Utter bullshit. We willingly keep tracking devices on our person: watches, cell phones, and nanny-cams in our homes, everything is exploited.”

“How did you find out?” I inquired.

“A Good Samaritan, who strongly believes in the constitution and fourth amendment, came forward. He saw what was going on and felt it was his moral duty to stop it. After I received the information, I waited a few weeks and contacted Greenwold. I made a surprise visit to an NSA black site and told him to shut the program down.”

“Yet, you didn’t dismiss Greenwold,” Zane stated.

“Not until I knew how deep this went. Who else in my administration knew? Did my National Security Advisor know? Did the vice president? Someone in a congressional oversight committee had to know where millions of dollars were going. They always fucking do. Who received the kickback for turning a blind-eye?”

“What now?” I asked.

“Now we watch them,” Zane answered.

“And we do that how?”

“Tex.” Zane smiled, both of his dimples showing.

Nothing good ever came from Zane Lewis being giddy. It meant he had a plan, one that no doubt would end with scumbags being six feet under.