Extreme Measures by Patterson R. J

Author:Patterson, R. J. [Patterson, R. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, Espionage
Amazon: B081YKLX92
Goodreads: 49712166
Publisher: Green E-Books
Published: 2020-04-10T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION offices hummed that evening with activity as the team attempted to sort through intel it had gathered to find the group responsible for the slaughter of the Texas lawmen. With Mia relocating to Washington, Blunt felt confident they’d be able to find the perpetrators quickly. And that was imperative given President Young’s brash new video. Despite his rising confidence, he was more concerned than ever about the nature of the attack.

Alex assumed the role of operations director, handing out assignments to Hawk and Mia as well as Titus Black’s handler, Christina Shields, to help with data analytics. Not that Alex craved to run point, but someone who knew how to conduct an investigation was required to head up the task. With Blunt bowing out to attend to other matters, she happily filled the void.

“The first thing I need you to do, Mia, is find out who was behind the hack of the Texas DOT cameras,” Alex said. “There’s no way that was just some random coincidence. I’ve given you access to their system, so you can sort through them and figure out what went wrong.”

“Just point me to a terminal,” Mia said.

“I’ve got an extra computer and desk for you,” Alex said. “I’ll take you to it when we’re done here.”

Alex asked Hawk to work with Christina Shields to see what they could find in the information gleaned on all of Nicolo’s customers and anything else the duo could unearth about the company’s employees. They also went over the details of Black’s special mission scheduled for the next morning. Once Alex finished, she led Mia to her office.

“So, this is what it’s like to work for the government,” Mia said as she scanned the Phoenix Foundation headquarters.

Alex chuckled. “Far from it. This is an outlier, an unprecedented anomaly. And I know that’s pretty much saying the same thing, but this is so drastically different, it’s worth underscoring like that.”

“What’s so different? You’ve got plenty of resources, state-of-the-art equipment, anything you could want at your disposal.”

“That’s exactly what most government agencies don’t have. They operate on strict budgets, which are subject to the whims of Congress. And in the intelligence sector, they have vastly overqualified and underpaid professionals. I can’t speak for other agencies, of course. But that’s the reality for most of the people out there battling crime.”

“That’s why it’s so easy to pull off what I pull—used to pull off.”

The two women entered Alex’s office.

“Don’t worry,” she said, gesturing toward the extra desk and computer. “You won’t get any judgment from me about your past, even if that was just a few weeks ago. When you helped us, you made up for anything you’ve ever done, at least in my book.”

“Let’s hope I can keep helping you because something strange is going on with all these hackers suddenly missing. And I’m very uneasy about it.”

“And those Texas DOT cameras? What do you think happened there?

Mia sat down at the desk and cracked her knuckles. “Let’s find out.

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